DakCU Awards $15,500 in GAC Scholarships and Financial Assistance to Seven CU Leaders Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Roger Heacock GAC-HTH Scholarships, awarding $15,500 in financial assistance to seven credit union leaders. The scholarships are designed to help affiliated members attend the annual Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C., offering a unique opportunity for credit union professionals and volunteers to engage with lawmakers and advocate for the credit union movement. The GAC is the largest credit union event and gathering on the planet. This year more than 6,000 credit union advocates will converge on Washington, D.C. March 3-5 and advocate on behalf of our credit union members. The Roger Heacock GAC-HTH Scholarship, established in 2021 in honor of Roger Heacock, the former President-CEO of Black Hills FCU, aims to support credit union leaders by helping to defray the costs of attending this important event. The scholarships are open to all credit union executives, staff, and volunteers, with assistance varying each year depending on the number of qualified applicants and available funds. This year, thanks to the successful fundraising efforts from both the South Dakota and North Dakota GAC committees, the awards have been increased. The recipients represent credit unions of all sizes, ranging from $4.8 million to $462 million in assets. The 2025 Heacock Scholarship recipients are:
In addition to these scholarships, DakCU is also awarding $1,500 financial honorariums to two individuals who will serve as GAC Crashers, a program designed to immerse emerging leaders in the advocacy process. The 2025 GAC Crasher recipients are:
Since the program’s inception in 2009, DakCU has awarded over $85,500 to 101 credit union advocates, helping them engage with Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. The Roger Heacock GAC-HTH Scholarship fund is supported through donations and annual fundraising activities, such as silent auction held at our Annual Summit. Preference for the scholarship is given to credit unions with asset sizes of $250 million and below, and the award is based on financial need. By cultivating, promoting, and energizing credit union professionals and volunteers, the Roger Heacock GAC-HTH Scholarship continues to play a vital role in advancing grassroots advocacy efforts in the credit union industry. 8th Annual Collaborative Roundtable Meeting: A Successful Gathering of Credit Union Leaders in Las Vegas This past week, the credit union community came together for the 8th annual collaborative Roundtable in Las Vegas at the iconic Horseshoe Hotel. More than 100 leaders from credit unions across the Dakotas, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming gathered for what has become one of the most highly anticipated events in the credit union industry. Since its inception in 2017, the Roundtable—formerly known as the MonDak Roundtable--and the Western Round-Up before that--has evolved into a premier high-level educational and networking event designed specifically for credit union executives and volunteers. This year, the event saw an exciting expansion, welcoming attendees from Wisconsin for the first time. One of the highlights of this year’s Roundtable was the introduction of Fintech Connect, a new feature sponsored by TruStage. This dynamic segment showcased some of the most innovative players in the fintech and digital space, including Starlight, Zest AI, WithClutch, Conductiv, Maxwell, and Salus. Attendees had the opportunity to gain experience directly from industry leaders, gaining firsthand knowledge of the latest advancements and trends in technology that are reshaping the financial landscape. The Roundtable featured insightful discussions on strategies for growth and leadership in credit unions. Stacie VanDenBerghe highlighted the importance of aligning and engaging at every level focusing on getting the board, CEO, and entire team on the same page to ensure clear communication and goal execution. She also emphasized the shift from reactive to initiative-taking strategies for growth, urging credit unions to thrive by taking charge of their future. Tom Sakash stressed that credit union success starts with strong Board leadership, which sets the strategic direction for the organization. He shared valuable tactics for optimizing Board leadership through better recruitment, development, and education. Sakash also explored the power of identifying a niche market, highlighting how credit unions of all sizes have thrived by defining their unique offerings and aligning strategies around an untapped audience. James Robert Lay addressed the challenge of exponential growth in the Age of AI, focusing on how leaders can guide their teams through rapid changes. He provided a strategic growth framework to navigate AI advancements, combining modern tools with ancient wisdom to inspire transformation and courage as organizations adapt to the evolving landscape. In summary, the event provided actionable insights on aligning leadership, identifying niches, and embracing change to achieve sustained growth and success. Looking ahead, this annual gathering remains a vital opportunity for credit unions in the Dakotas, Montana, and Minnesota to stay ahead of industry trends, tackle challenges, and continue working together to ensure the growth and success of the credit union movement. With this year’s event in the books, attendees left Las Vegas inspired, energized, and ready to implement innovative ideas to better serve their members and communities. Make your plan now to join us next year: February 3-4, 2026 at the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas. Registration Now Open for the Dakota Credit Union Association Annual Summit! The wait is over! Registration for the highly anticipated Dakota Credit Union Association’s Annual Summit is officially open. This year's summit will take place on May 12-14 at the Delta Hotel in Fargo, ND. The Annual Summit promises to be an event you won’t want to miss. Attendees will benefit from a robust lineup of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. Summit Keynote Highlights:
2025 Breakout Sessions Include:
In addition to the inspiring keynotes and educational sessions, attendees can network with industry leaders and explore the growing Exhibitors Showcase. Don’t miss the chance to connect with business partners and industry experts. The Summit will also feature the annual Awards Banquet and social event, an exciting opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our peers and enjoy some time together outside of the sessions. Be sure to save the date and keep an eye on the website for registration and exhibiting space details. We look forward to seeing you in Fargo for two days of learning, networking, and growth! Registration is now open! North Dakota Credit Union Legislative Day Join us for North Dakota Credit Union Legislative Day, an important opportunity to foster our relationships with North Dakota's legislative leaders, next Wednesday, February 19, 2025, beginning at 9:00 AM. This day is dedicated to advancing the interests of credit unions across the state and ensuring comprehensive representation with both the Republican majority and Democratic minority. Your participation is crucial as we work together to support our shared goals! Together, we have influence and can make a difference. Visit our event page for more information. First CEO Town Hall Tuesday for 2025 Scheduled for Today, February 11 We are looking forward to our first quarterly CEO Town Hall Tuesday today, February 11 at 3 PM CT / 2 PM MT. Email invites should be in your inbox. Please let me know if you need that meeting link resent. On a positive note Congratulations to Taylor Anderson, Loan Officer at University Federal Credit Union, on completing the Credit Union Development Educator program from the National Credit Union Foundation! This achievement highlights her dedication to advancing her expertise and serving the community. Have a wonderful week and Happy Valentine’s Day.  DakCU President/CEO
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