The President's Perspective

A Vice President shoutout; Dakota CEO Town Hall Today; and BHFCU’s workplace honors.

Keeping Up the Momentum for Credit Unions
Over 350,000 grassroots messages have been sent to Members of Congress through Voter Voice and other platforms, amplifying our collective voice in the fight to protect credit unions. And we’re not stopping there!

By the end of this week, we’ll be rolling out updated “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” postcards—an easy way for credit union members to directly engage with their lawmakers. These postcards and resources will be available on America's Credit Union's website for credit unions to distribute at their branches allowing members to quickly fill them out and send a clear message to Congress. Your credit union can then gather and mail them on behalf of your members. A simple action, but with powerful impact!

Credit Unions Get a Shoutout from the Vice President
Credit unions change lives—and this week, we heard a powerful example straight from Vice President J.D. Vance during remarks at Marine Corps Base Quantico.

Reflecting on his time as a young marine, the Vice President recalled nearly making “one of the worst financial decisions” of his life—buying a used Honda Civic with a predatory 21% interest rate from a dealership. Fortunately, his Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, Gunny Arledge, gave him some tough love:

"Why don't you stop being an idiot? Go to Navy Federal Credit Union and get a better deal."

That moment saved him from a costly mistake, proving what we already know: credit unions are looking out for their members. We appreciate Vice President Vance for recognizing the credit union difference, and we look forward to working with the administration to advance our shared priorities.

Dakota CEO Town Hall – Today at 3 PM CT / 2 PM MT
Make sure to join our Dakota CEO Town Hall today at 3 PM CT / 2 PM MT! You should have received an invitation in your inbox, but if you need the virtual meeting link, just email me at [email protected], and I’ll send it directly.

We’re excited to welcome Greg Mesack, SVP of Advocacy from America’s Credit Unions, who will provide an update on our advocacy efforts. Your participation is key as we continue to strengthen Dakota credit unions.

Summit 2025 – Registration Going Strong!
The 2025 Summit is shaping up to be one of our best yet! Join us May 12-14 as we return to the Delta Hotel in Fargo for an enhanced three-day format packed with valuable insights and networking opportunities.

Expect an incredible lineup of speakers, covering topics from credit union economics and leadership development to board training and marketing strategies. Plus, we’ll be hosting a golf outing, our annual awards banquet, and our business meeting.

Early bird registration saves you $50, but only until April 18! Don’t wait—secure your spot now. Find details and register here.

Support the Roger Heacock Scholarship Fund – Silent Auction Donations Needed!
As a reminder, we are actively seeking donations for our Summit Silent Auction to benefit the Roger Heacock Scholarship Fund. This fund provides financial assistance for members from North and South Dakota to attend important advocacy events like America’s Credit Unions GAC Conference and Hike the Hill. Since 2008, we’ve been awarded 88 scholarships totaling $85,500—and with your help, we can continue this legacy.

We would love to publish a list of prizes in advance on our ClickBid interactive site. We kindly ask that donated items have a minimum retail value of $75 to $100 (or more).

Kick Off Summit Week with Stack the PAC!
To kick off Summit week, our South Dakota and North Dakota Governmental Affairs Committees are teaming up for a special recognition and fundraising event on Monday, May 12 at 7:30 PM at the Delta Hotel.

This event will honor last year’s GAC contributors, including those who participated in our payroll deduction program, direct contributions, or the CU Advocate sweepstakes. If you haven’t contributed but would like to attend, a $24 donation at the door gets you in. Let’s start Summit week by celebrating our collective impact!

If you have any questions please reach out to John Alexander or Chesney Garnos. 

Celebrating Success: BHFCU Recognized as a Top Workplace
Finally, congratulations to Black Hills Federal Credit Union (BHFCU) for earning both the 2025 Great Plains Top Workplaces and USA Today Top Workplaces awards!

This achievement reflects BHFCU’s commitment to a strong workplace culture—one where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered. It’s inspiring to see a credit union that listens to its team and acts on their feedback. Well done to the entire BHFCU team for setting a national example of workplace excellence!

Thank You for Your Dedication
Your tireless commitment to serving members and advancing the credit union movement does not go unnoticed. Together, we are making a difference—for our members, our communities, and the future of credit unions.

​Let’s keep pushing forward!

​DakCU President/CEO