The President's Perspective

Several high priority deadlines are fast approaching, including the CUPAC/CULAC Holiday Sweepstakes, as well as CUNA GAC Crasher applications. 

Greetings and happy Monday. I trust you had a nice, relaxing Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. The COVID bug altered our family plans, but we still managed to pivot to gather and celebrate over the weekend.

Last chance to support CUPAC/CULAC Holiday Sweepstakes and a chance to win cash.
As you know, supporting our credit union political action committee (CUPAC/CULAC) is essential in our continuing efforts to build and strengthen our relationships with both state and federal lawmakers as well as community leaders. Here in the Dakotas, we have taken this support seriously and have made extraordinary progress over the last 12 years. In recent years, our largest fundraising activity has been the year end Holiday Sweepstakes; where, historically we generally raise anywhere from $15,000 to $18,000 in 30 days. To maximize our fundraising efforts and efficiencies, this year the sweepstakes is online. Similar to our ‘click-bid’ auctions we incorporated during our annual meetings, all transactions for this year’s Holiday Sweepstakes are now safely online. No need to handle or distribute paper tickets and, more importantly, you no longer need to track ticket sales or send in money on time.

However, since this is a new platform, we need your help engaging your credit union to participate. Please share the attached information with your team, volunteers, and credit union members.  We’re counting on your support and help in promoting another successful event.

This Wednesday, November 30, is the FINAL DAY to get your CUPAC/CULAC Holiday Sweepstakes tickets for a chance to win $5,000 in prizes, with proceeds supporting our advocacy agenda, in addition to helping us to meet our national fundraising goals.
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To participate, all you need to click this link, it’s all online. Be sure to contact Jay Kruse if you have any questions, and on behalf of the North and South Dakota GACs, we appreciate your support.

CUNA Mutual Group is our one true system partner.
As we approach the end of another year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge your continued support of both the association and CUNA Mutual Group, our one true system partner. CUNA Mutual Group’s value to us and our members is on display year-round, as they are actively engaged in all our DakCU events and activities, including supporting our charitable foundation. Ultimately, the more you partner with CUNA Mutual Group, the more you help all our Dakota credit unions by increasing the flow of income to the association. This allows us to continue to provide dues supported resources and solutions that are necessary to your success, bringing more value for your credit union’s future growth and prosperity. On behalf of CUNA Mutual Group and DakCU, I sincerely thank you for your continued support!
 
GAC Crasher applications due this week!
We are still seeking passionate credit union young professionals who are interested in Crashing the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC). The deadline to submit applications is this Friday, December 2. The “Crasher” experience gives young leaders an opportunity to learn about key issues, form connections with other future leaders, and deepen their appreciation for the credit union difference. Crashers receive free conference registration, and to assist with travel expenses, the Dakota Credit Union Association offers a $1,000 Scholarship for each of our Dakota Crashers! If you have a team member who would benefit from this opportunity, please ask them to apply here. The DakCU scholarship is awarded automatically if they are selected.
 
CUWLA leadership will address our next CEO Town Hall.
Here in the Dakotas, there are 42 professional women who sit in the president/CEO/manager chair. That means that 63 percent of the leadership positions in the Dakotas are held by women! Therefore, it is important and necessary to bring the Credit Union Women’s Leadership Alliance (CUWLA) into our conversation here in the Dakotas. Launched last year with a vision of providing a safe space for women CEOs of credit unions with asset sizes up to $300 million – offering mentorship, education, and collaboration to help them thrive – their Executive Director, Linda White, will be our guest on the next CEO Town Hall. Find out how CUWLA “Empowers the women who power the movement” on December 13 at 3:00 p.m. (CT). Invitations for the Zoom meeting have already been sent; be sure to contact me if you need the link.

Credit Union Awareness National Program Update.
If you have not already heard, CU Awareness, LLC is hosting their Credit Union Awareness national program update on December 6, 2022 at 1:00pm CT. In the virtual webinar, they will cover YourMoneyFurther.com consumer engagement activities, search insights, and learnings that you can use in your own marketing, consumer consideration research results, and media performance (through Q4 2022), as well as exciting plans for 2023. Register here. For additional questions about CU Awareness or SWAP, please contact Lindsey Hefta.
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Congratulations to Samantha Sullivan and Oahe FCU!
Finally, I would like to send a shout out to Samantha Sullivan and Oahe Federal Credit Union. Samantha recently earned her Credit Union Development Education (CUDE) designation after completing The National Credit Union Foundation’s DE program. Through transformative education, immersive events and collaboration, DE builds awareness of the development issues that prevent people from achieving financial freedom—and how credit unions are uniquely positioned to address them. Congratulations on this great achievement!
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Have a great week as we welcome in December. 

​DakCU President/CEO