Celebrating 100 Years of Legislative Impact: South Dakota Credit Union Day at the Capitol Today marks a historic milestone as South Dakota commemorates its 100th legislative session—a testament to a century of shaping policies that have defined the state’s legacy. This remarkable occasion is a reminder of the critical role legislative advocacy plays in fostering progress and addressing the evolving needs of South Dakotans. Amid this historic backdrop, South Dakota Credit Union Legislative Day at the Capitol, set for this Wednesday, promises to be an impactful event. This annual gathering highlights the collaborative efforts of credit unions across the state to engage lawmakers, discuss key issues, and champion the financial well-being of South Dakotans. Credit Union Legislative Day is more than a symbolic event; it’s a powerful demonstration of unity and purpose. For me, this will be my 18th in Pierre. As our South Dakota credit unions focus on providing financial services that prioritize people over profit, our day in Pierre serves as a platform to educate our South Dakota legislators about the credit union difference. By engaging with lawmakers, credit union leaders, and volunteers can underscore how legislative decisions impact their ability to serve nearly 350,000 members across South Dakota. As I see it, Credit Union Legislative Day is an opportunity to build and strengthen relationships with legislators. These connections are vital in influencing policy decisions that affect credit unions and their members. By sharing stories of member impact, credit unions can illustrate how their mission aligns with South Dakota’s economic prosperity and community development goals. As South Dakota celebrates its legislative centennial, credit unions are poised to play a key role in shaping the next century of progress. Events like our annual Day at the Capitol remind us of the importance of active participation in the legislative process. Together, credit unions and lawmakers can work toward a shared vision of financial security and opportunity for all South Dakotans. This Wednesday, let us honor the past, celebrate the present, and build a future where credit unions continue to make a difference—one member at a time. The state will hold an official centennial celebration at the Capitol with special events on April 12. You can learn more about the celebration here. A big shout out to Alloya Corporate for their support and sponsorship, and a big thank you to these South Dakota credit unions for sponsoring our legislative social: Norstar FCU, Voyage FCU, Black Hills FCU, Oahe FCU, Healthcare Plus FCU, Northen Hills FCU, Highmark FCU, and Dakotaland FCU. Here is a rundown of our schedule for our Credit Union Legislative Day:
 Celebrating the Remarkable Career of Floyd Rummel III After more than 35 years of dedicated service in the credit union industry, we celebrated Floyd Rummel’s credit union career in the credit union movement. His tenure has been marked by significant contributions to the credit union movement, both within South Dakota and on a national scale. It seemed like just a few short years ago when I first met Floyd. It was during my first week here at the association at a South Dakota GAC meeting in Pierre, where Floyd served as the chair at the time. Many of you already know of Floyd’s many contributions to the South Dakota League and to the movement here in our state and region. Rummel’s journey with Northern Hills Federal Credit Union (NHFCU) began in July 2013, when he assumed the role of CEO. Under his leadership, the credit union experienced substantial growth and strengthened its commitment to serving members excellently. Prior to this, Rummel served as president of Dakota Territory Federal Credit Union, where he played a pivotal role in orchestrating its merger with NHFCU in 2013, further consolidating resources to better serve the community. Beyond his executive roles, Rummel was a steadfast advocate for the credit union movement. He actively participated in the South Dakota Government Affairs Committee, influencing numerous state and federal legislative decisions that have had a lasting impact on the industry. His dedication to advocacy was recognized nationally when he was inducted into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders, an honor bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the credit union philosophy. In recognition of his retirement, NHFCU hosted a celebration last Friday at The Lodge at Deadwood. Many colleagues, friends, and members gathered to honor Rummel’s remarkable career and to extend their best wishes as he embarks on this new chapter. Floyd Rummel’s legacy is characterized by his unwavering commitment to the credit union movement, his visionary leadership, and his dedication to the financial well-being of countless individuals. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring future generations to continue the mission of people helping people. Thank you, Floyd, and best wishes! With the North Dakota legislative session underway, North Dakota Credit Union Legislative Day at the Capitol is set for February 19. The DakCU advocacy team hit the ground running, already tracking and weighing legislative actions that are impactful on North Dakota credit unions. You can follow our tracking list on our Voter Voice platform on our website under the Advocacy tab. The North Dakota GAC is finalizing plans to host a Credit Union Legislative Day at the Capitol, Wednesday, February 19, just before the crossover break. Meeting requests have been submitted to the Governor's office and Senate and House leadership. Further details will be shared in the coming weeks. Last Chance: Register by January 17 to Join Credit Union Leaders at the Las Vegas Roundtable! It’s certainly been cold the past week. Is it time to escape the Dakota winter for a few days? You can still make plans to join credit union leaders from across the upper states’ region at the 2025 Roundtable in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 4-5 (formerly MonDak Roundtable). This is a terrific way to kick off the new year and engage in a high-level educational and networking opportunity. This annual conference has included c-suite professionals from North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota! New this year a pre-conference add-on: FREE Fintech Connect, sponsored by TruStage, featuring industry leaders in the fintech and digital space like: WithClutch, Union Credit, Zest AI, Digital Storefront and more. It promises to be a great opportunity for credit union leaders to connect, share insights, and explore the latest trends and innovations in fintech. You can learn more about this year’s conference and sign up here before January 17 ! Join Us for the 2025 Q1 CEO Town Hall Tuesday scheduled for Feb 11 Our Q1 Virtual CEO Town Hall is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, at 3:00 p.m. CT (2:00 p.m. MT). This session will provide an opportunity to connect, share key updates on our legislative priorities, and discuss upcoming association activities and educational events. An email invitation with the meeting link will be sent to credit union leaders in the near future. If you do not receive the link, please contact me at [email protected], and I will ensure it is sent to you directly. We look forward to your participation! America’s Credit Unions Governmental Affairs Conference is just around the corner. Make plans to participate in the world’s largest credit union gathering! As a reminder, the Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) will be held in Washington, D.C. March 2 – 6, 2025. For those interested in attending, DakCU has prepared a “one stop” GAC shop on our website, which you can find here. This convenience allows you to register for the conference, make your hotel reservations, and even apply for a scholarship for financial assistance. There are still a few rooms in our Dakota Room Block that are available through this Friday, January 17. Additionally, we will be hosting our annual Dakota Group dinner during the event – more details will be forthcoming. Have a great week. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in Pierre for our South Dakota Credit Union Legislative Day. Safe travels and stay warm!  DakCU President/CEO
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