The President's Perspective

by Jeff Olson, President/CEO Dakota Credit Union Association

​It’s an exciting day at the association as we officially launch our all-new website! Details on how to set up your “members only” access to utilize all the new features. 

Greetings and Happy Monday!

It’s not only the beginning of a new month, but it is a new day here at DakCU as well, and an exciting one at that! After months of behind-the-scenes work researching, designing, and beta testing, our new, long-awaited website at dakcu.org has launched!

This brand-new, totally upgraded association web design fits our recent rebrand and offers enhanced navigation, mobile optimization, and includes (for the first time) affiliated “members only” access points. This means that several links are secured and only available to affiliated members of the Dakota Credit Union Association.

This week is a "free preview" week. Starting next week you will need to be logged in to access "members only" content. To fully utilize the new website, we are asking all affiliated staff members and volunteers who want access to set up your “members only” login and password very soon so you can seamlessly have access to all areas of the new interactive site.

On any page of our website, click 'Member Login' at the top left of the page, and enter your username (*Note – your username is your credit union work email address). Then select 'Click here for login information' to the right of the LOGIN button. Enter your email in the 'Reset your password' box and hit enter. An email will be sent to your inbox for you to create a password. Then you are all set!  If you have any questions or encounter issues, please email Debbie Kruckenberg or call 701-250-3924.

We will be hosting an online training event in the very near future to demonstrate some of the new features, and we will be adding even more areas in the weeks and months ahead.

Along with the new website, we launched a short video message recapping some of our work last year and laying out our advocacy, regulatory and education objectives for this year. You can view the message here: Watch the 2021 CEO Message.

Dakota Credit Unions Top National CULAC Fundraising.
Here is a shout out to all our credit union advocates and supporters that contributed to CULAC last year, propelling our two states to top honors for exceeding our CULAC goals in 2020.

Collectively, the Dakotas raised and contributed over $43,000 to the federal credit union legislative action committee. North Dakota secured 1st place at 278% of their stated goal, and South Dakota was not far behind at 219% of their goal, placing them in 3rd place just behind Louisiana. Be sure to check out the full story in today’s memo. Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to all our contributors and CULAC supporters.
 
Please reach out to Jay Kruse or Kayla Pulvermacher if you want to learn more about the payroll deduction program and how it can easily be rolled out at your credit union. The DakCU advocacy team can even create a virtual rollout and/or annual re-boot for you.
 
Want to Learn More About Becoming a CDFI or MDI Financial Institution?
Inclusive, whose mission is to help low and moderate-income people and communities achieve financial independence through credit unions, and CUNA Mutual Group, are collaborating to host weekly webinars for credit unions. If you that are not certified but want to learn more about becoming CDFI (Community Development Financial Institutions), MDI (Minority Depository Institutions), and LID (Low Income Designated) credit unions, these sessions are vital and all new CDFI grant applicants are urged to attend. The first webinar is this Thursday, February 4. Learn more and register here.

Dakota Credit Union Advocates Tracking Legislative Activity in Bismarck & Pierre.
It promises to be another busy week in both state Capitols. Today is Legislative Day 18 in North Dakota and to date there have been over 845 bills introduced along with 28 House Concurrent Resolutions and 12 Senate Concurrent Resolutions. Credit unions testified several times in January, and we are currently tracking several bills that may have an impact on credit unions and credit union members. Be sure to get the full scoop in today’s Memo from Kayla Pulvermacher.

In South Dakota we are on Legislative Day 13 and to date there have been over 350 bills introduced, along with 4 House Concurrent Resolutions and 3 Senate Concurrent Resolutions.  Be sure to check out our weekly South Dakota Legislative Update from Jay Kruse each Wednesday.

DakCU collaborating with Midwest Credit Union Leagues on Ctrl+Alt+Innovate!
As I mentioned last week, we are excited to be collaborating with eight credit union leagues to sponsor an exciting, new virtual event to position your credit union for the future. Ctrl+Alt+Innovate is designed to help you advance with innovative fintechs that can power your financial growth. The event will take place on April 7 – 8 from 9:00 a.m. to noon (CT) each day and registration opens February 8. The cost for this collaborative event is only $99 per person so be sure to mark your calendars now.

Summit Launch Coming Soon.
We are moving ahead with many of our education and networking opportunities this year, beginning with our Annual Summit which will be held in Fargo on May 3 – 4. This will be an in-person event and I am looking forward to reconnecting with many of you there, and I think it is safe to say that our staff is anxious to meet up with old friends as well. Details and registration will be announced soon – but please save the date.
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Have a great week!

​President/CEO
Dakota Credit Union Association