The President's Perspective

Our GAC “one Stop Shop” opens today! Plus, once again, the CUNA-League system earns the distinction of being the most influential financial services association. 

Greetings – I am happy to be with you on a Wednesday this week! We are just 27 days from election day 2022 and our “Pints and Politics” road show is winding down. We will be in Fargo tomorrow, October 13; Sioux Falls on October 20; and we’ll wrap up in Rapid City on October 27. Be sure to check our events calendar for locations of a Pints and Politics event near you and don’t hesitate to contact me or Jay Kruse with any questions. These events are a great opportunity for credit union advocates to build relations with our state lawmakers and to educate them about the credit union difference as well as our mission of improving lives and advancing the communities we serve.

CUNA-League system named most credible trade association – again!
For the sixth year in a row, the CUNA-League system has earned the distinction as the most credible trade association by Ballast Research. This study is based on an independent review of Washington policymakers across all industries. The CUNA-League system was cited as the most influential financial services trade association. The survey also found that the CUNA-League system is the most trusted voice, providing reliable data and research illustrating how policies impact the average person. Other key findings included: CUNA maintained or improved its effectiveness in every key advocacy activity measured, including grassroots, research and data, and communications; CUNA’s overall reputation outpaces its financial industry peers on both sides of the aisle; and CUNA made strong gains in its perception across every reputation measure, including credibility, access, influence, and engagement. Once again, this is proof that our three-tiered CUNA-League system works for all of us.

GAC “One Stop Shop” opens today!
As promised, DakCU’s “GAC One Stop Shop” is now live and ready for those interested in attending this year’s CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference. This convenience allows you to find everything you need to register for the conference, make your hotel reservations, and even apply for a scholarship for financial assistance or to be a GAC Crasher right here on the DakCU website. Once again, our block of rooms will be at Courtyard by Marriott, conveniently located near the Convention Center. However, hotel rooms are limited and tend to go fast, so be sure to reserve yours early. This is the largest credit union gathering of the year, attracting more than 5,000 credit union leaders to our nation’s capital to rally around a united cause. I personally look forward to this event every year!
 
DakCU Awards opening soon
I am excited to share that our team has been updating our DakCU Awards categories with some exciting and expanded opportunities in the areas of Marketing & Communications. We have also updated our Social Impact Award (formerly CU Social Good Award) to include both credit unions and individuals. There are many outstanding individuals and credit unions who deserve to be recognized, so please consider nominating them this year. Watch the Memo for the official launch coming next week!
 
ICU Day just around the corner
Don’t forget, October 20 is International Credit Union Day (ICU Day) – that’s just a week away! We will all be celebrating with this year’s theme: “Empower Your Financial Future with a Credit Union.” Be sure use #ICUDay on all your social media posts, and don’t forget to share your ICU Day activities and celebrations by emailing to Shawn Brummer.

CEO Town Hall Tuesday October 25th
Finally, be sure to watch for your invite to the next CEO Town Hall Tuesday taking place on October 25th at 3:00 p.m. (CT). This virtual meeting will provide updates on our Health Benefits Trust renewals, compliance, and regulatory hot topics, and we’ll highlight our SWAP (State-Wide Awareness Program) outstanding success over this past summer. We will also let you in on a few upcoming events and opportunities that you will want to put on your radar.

Credit Union Strategies for Q4 - a FREE Webinar
Finally, I want to bring your attention to tomorrow's free webinar from The Baker Group. "Credit Union Strategies for 4th Quarter 2022" will take place on October 13 starting at 10:30 a.m. and will cover Fed Funds, balancing liquidity, and preparing for your next exam, just to name a few of the topics. Learn more and register here. 
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Have a great week! 

DakCU President/CEO