The President’s Perspective

​Another Summit is in the books, and the CMN Give Back, Vacation Sweepstakes, and Silent Auction all contributed to a very successful event. 

Wow, what a wonderful week at the Grand Falls Casino and Resort in Sioux Falls last week. The 18th Dakota Credit Union Association’s Annual Summit is in the books, and it was great to connect with many of you in person. We have coordinated and hosted many terrific annual conferences, however, in my 16 years at the Association, this Summit certainly ranks as one of our most energetic and engaging. We highlighted the credit union difference, shared impactful stories about how credit unions support their members and communities and we recharged with excellent motivational ideas and concepts. Next year’s Summit is already being planned! Be sure to mark your calendars for May 12 – 14, 2025, when we will gather at the Delta Convention Center in Fargo, ND for our 19th annual meetings.

Give Back, Vacation Sweepstakes, and Silent Auction contribute to successful Summit.
Please accept my heartfelt thank you all for your support and kind contributions to our Summit fundraising activities that help support our many social impact initiatives and campaigns.

As you know, each year we use the Summit as a platform to pay it forward with our “Give Back” project. This is part of our “Concern for Community” cooperative principle number seven. As we did for our two other CMN Hospitals in Rapid City and Fargo, we asked each credit union to bring prepaid cash cards in $25 increments to support our Sioux Falls CMN Hospital, Sanford Children’s. I am pleased to share that our credit unions contributed $3,575 in gift cards that families can use to buy meals or supplies while in their care. Each gift card is presented with a postcard style greeting containing the message, “Compliments of Dakota’s credit unions” and additional information about the benefits of belonging to a credit union.

The Foundation’s Vacation Sweepstakes Raised $7,475 through entries with another $1,550 being donated directly by credit union CEOs towards the prize fund. It was a very exciting moment when Melanie Stillwell’s name was drawn during the awards banquet! Congratulations, Melanie – and enjoy your dream vacation, wherever it may take you!

The Roger Heacock Scholarship Silent Auction was also a tremendous success! With many desirable items to choose from, all donated by credit unions, this event raised more than $10,000. These funds are used to provide financial assistance and support to Dakota credit union professionals to attend the annual Government Affairs Conference (GAC) or our Fall Legislative-Regulatory Hike the Hill. It is worth mentioning that since 2008, more than $70,000 in scholarships have been awarded!

Foundation announces major commitments to Dakotas’ CMN Hospitals.
In more exciting news from the Summit, I am thrilled to share that the Dakota Credit Union Foundation has officially announced major financial commitments to our three Dakota CMN Hospitals. First, we are pledging $100,000 to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo for the new CU4Kids Micropreemie Care Unit. Secondly, we are pledging $50,000 to Sanford Children’s in Sioux Falls, and $50,000 to Monument Health in Rapid City. The Sioux Falls donation will provide for a pediatric oncology exam room to be named in honor of Charlie Murano, son of Abby and Joel Murano. Abby is a staff member at Dakotaland FCU in Aberdeen, SD. Charlie was cared for at the Sioux Falls hospital last year. Sadly, he lost his battle with cancer, but his memory will live on for years to come. And finally, a $50K pledge is made to Rapid City’s CMN Hospital, which will begin once Monument Health finalizes their expansion project so a specific purpose for the donation can be determined. I don’t have to tell you how much your support is appreciated, or how these donations will leave a lasting credit union legacy.

Announcing new members and officers to DakCU Board of Directors.
I am very pleased and excited to announce the addition of new association leadership as two credit union professionals were elected to the Dakota Credit Union Association Board of Directors. Following the annual business meeting last week, we welcomed Bob Herrington, President/CEO of North Star Community Credit Union, and Jake Klobuchar, SVP of Town & Country Credit Union, to the board. Bob will serve as the ND Division A Director and Jake will serve as the Multi-State At-Large Director. Both bring experience, strategic vision, and a proven record of success to our board. In addition, current board member Lacey Fetch, CEO of University Federal Credit Union, was elected DakCU Board Chair, and Dawn Van Ash, CEO of Oahe FCU, was re-elected Board Chair of DakCU Service Corp.

DakCU Board members L to R: Jeff Olson, Jake Klobuchar, Dawn Van Ash, Bob Herrington, Jarrod Reisner, Lacey Fetsch, Veronica Holweger, and Katie Bredvik.

We are very fortunate to have a fully engaged board that will undoubtedly help us to navigate the complex financial services landscape and achieve our strategic objectives. You can review our complete board here on our website. 

Congratulations to our Hall of Fame inductees.
Finally, last week during the Summit awards banquet, I had the distinct honor of announcing DakCU’s 2024 Hall of Fame inductees. Melanie Stillwell, recently retired CEO of Western Cooperative CU, and former CEO of Voyage FCU, Darla Erb, each received the honor. As you know, the Hall of Fame honor is a lifetime achievement recognition, and the most prestigious of all DakCU’s awards. As part of the awards ceremony, DakCU produced a short video highlighting their respective career achievements, which you can view at the links below, and be sure to check out the full story in today’s Memo. Once again, my most sincere congratulations to both.

Melanie Stillwell Hall of Fame Video
Darla Erb Hall of Fame Video

Save the Dates – CU Professionals Forum & Foundation Golf Scramble.
Now that another successful Summit is in the books, it’s time to look ahead to our next big event! Please save the dates – August 12 & 13, for DakCU’s CU Professionals Forum and Foundation Golf Scramble! Both events will be held in Fargo, and once again, the proceeds from the golf outing will be donated to Sanford Children’s Hospital for the CU4Kids Micropreemie Care Unit. Registration and additional information will be available soon, but meanwhile, please mark those calendars.  

Have a wonderful week, 

DakCU President/CEO