The President's Perspective

Get ready to blast social media with your love for credit unions!  Plus, register now to join us for a luncheon with Jim Nussle, and save the date for our Small Credit Union Roundtable. 

 Interchange Survey Closes This Week
A few weeks ago, some of you should have received an invitation to participate in an important survey that came from our partners at the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).  The invitation went to Dakota CEOs of credit unions that have 100 or more credit card accounts.   Congress is currently considering legislation that could alter interchange fees, and CUNA and the Leagues need all the data we can get for our advocacy efforts to ensure interchange regulation is not extended to credit card programs.  

The last day to submit your data is July 30.  If your credit union has a credit card program, we are asking you to please complete the  survey.   We assure you the information you provide will remain confidential and will only be reported in the aggregate.  Quantifying the costs and return on credit card programs and understanding the impact of potential regulations on credit unions and their members is critical to our urgent and proactive advocacy efforts.  We need your help by providing this information for your credit union!  TAKE THE SURVEY NOW. 

IT’S GO TIME!  THIS FRIDAY: #ILOVEMYCREDITUNION
Here we are, just five short days away from our all-out social media blitz.  I sincerely hope you will join me and our DakCU team as we break the internet and blast all the social platforms with our love for credit unions and the credit union movement.  Credit unions improve lives and the financial well-being of our members and communities.  This Friday, July 30, credit unions across the Dakotas will join credit union folks around the country in celebrating that difference as we unite and take over social media with an “I Love My Credit Union” social media storm!  
 
I hope you and your team will join in on all the fun!  It’s not too late – everything you need to participate is just a few clicks away on the resource hub.  You can post a selfie with the printable graphics like I did in the photo above, or just use one of the prepared memes along with the hashtag: #ILOVEMYCREDITUNION.  I encourage you to post on as many social media platforms as you can: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.  Let’s do this!
 
Nussle Luncheon and Town Hall Registration is Open
We are very excited to be hosting an in-person CEO Town Hall and forum with CUNA President/CEO, Jim Nussle on Wednesday, August 25th in Bismarck.  Jim will provide an update on important industry issues, including urgent legislative issues and pending regulatory guidance that will have an impact on your credit union and your ability to serve your members in the coming months. 
  
The event will be held at the National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) on the Bismarck State College campus.  Staff members and volunteers are welcome to join us for the luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  There is no cost for this event, but we do need you to register in advance. 
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If you need accommodations, we have a  block of rooms reserved at the Hampton Inn & Suites Northwest, which is located next to the BSC Campus and within a few blocks of the NECE building.  Our room block is under the Dakota Credit Union Association. 
 
Foundation’s “Play Yellow” Event Supports Dakota CMN Hospitals
The Dakota Credit Union Foundation will be hosting the first “Play Yellow for Children’s Hospitals” event ever held in North Dakota.  As part of the Foundation’s annual Golf Scramble, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to our local CMN Hospitals.  As you know, one of the goals of our Foundation is to increase awareness of Dakota credit unions by supporting children’s charities, and this event will certainly accomplish that.  We are anticipating a great turnout, and I hope to see many of you there.  Be sure to sign up by August 13th!
 
You can also score an official sleeve of DakCU Foundation “Play Yellow” golf balls” for a $20 donation to the Foundation.  These will be available at our Golf Scramble event on August 26th.

Congratulations to Sioux Empire – Now Bluestone FCU!  
Congratulations to Jeff Jorgensen and staff (formerly Sioux Empire FCU) on a very successful rebranding to Bluestone FCU.  The new logo and updated website look great!  “Something New, Something Blue!”
 
Discovery2021 Can Help with Your Strategic Planning
Don’t forget – you have a free opportunity from CUNA Mutual Group on Thursday, August 12, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT when they will be hosting their Discovery2021 virtual conference.  This event will provide information and tools to spark your strategic planning and offer insights on how to lead during pivotal times.  Discovery2021 is designed specifically for credit union leaders.  Check out the Agenda and Register Today.
 
Small Credit Union Roundtable – Save the Date
We are holding our 2021 DakCU Small Credit Union Roundtable at the Buffalo Ridge Resort and Business Center in Gary, South Dakota on Tuesday, September 21.  We are still finalizing the agenda and other details, but our initial plans are to host a social and dinner on the evening of Monday, September 20.  That way, we can have a relaxing evening with good peer conversation and then get our Roundtable officially underway Tuesday morning.  We will plan to conclude the meeting no later than 4:30 p.m. so attendees have time to get home that evening.  Of course, if you should desire to hang around a relax a little longer, you certainly can!  Be sure to “Save the Dates” for Monday evening, September 20 and Tuesday, September 21, for the DakCU Small Credit Union Roundtable and retreat.  Registration and details coming soon!
 
Have a fabulous week, and we’ll see you all on social media this Friday for #ILOVEMYCREDITUNION. 

​President/CEO
Dakota Credit Union Association