The President's Perspective

​This week, Jeff is hosting the League Presidents Retreat in Medora and Bismarck. Plus, DakCU Staff holds annual planning session following successful Professionals Forum in Fargo. 

Greetings and happy Monday! Today, I am in beautiful Medora, ND, the heart of the North Dakota Badlands and Teddy Roosevelt National Park. As the current board chair of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL), I am serving as the host of this year’s League Presidents Retreat, so I am joined by my peers and their guests from all around the country at this historic location. Last evening, our group of about 30 attended the Pitchfork Fondue and the Medora Musical; I’m sure many of you have seen this Medora tradition – but it is a new experience for many of our visitors! On Tuesday, we will head back into Bismarck for our “fly in” meetings, where the leaders from 14 other leagues will gather to collaborate and conduct AACUL business.

​Successful CU Professionals Forum & Foundation Golf Scramble
I want to thank all the credit union professionals that attended our CU Professionals Forum and Large CEO Roundtable in Fargo last week. It’s always good to have these dialogues that allow us to touch base with other advocates on issues that are affecting our industry, and particularly in our region. Also, thank you to everyone that participated in our 6th annual Dakota Credit Union Foundation Golf Scramble. We not only had a great time, but we raised money to support our “Financial Well-Being For All” efforts in addition to donating $4,000 to Fargo’s CMN Hospital. Once we have the final numbers crunched after expenses, I will be sure to share how much was raised for the foundation at this event. 

DakCU Staff holds annual planning session
Working from three different locations, it’s not often that our entire DakCU staff gets together in person, so while we were in Fargo last week we held our annual planning session. While we do hold virtual staff meetings on a weekly basis, it’s always good to see everyone three dimensionally! Each staff member provided an update of projects they are working on, and how it fits into our strategic plan for 2022-2024. I am also pleased to announce that we have hired a “replacement” for Deb Kruckenberg’s position. Paige Langhoff joined our team earlier this month and has been training with Deb for the past two weeks. We will make a formal announcement in the Memo very soon, but Paige is the new face and voice you will see and hear when you reach out to your association.

Celebrating Debbie Kruckenberg
Speaking of Debbie Kruckenberg, I am extending a personal invitation to all credit union folks to join us on August 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (CT) for an open house reception in her honor. Deb has served Dakotas’ credit unions for more than 46 years! Those that cannot join us in the conference room at 2005 North Kavaney Drive in Bismarck can plug in through this Zoom link to say hello, although you will miss out on some great refreshments! I hope to see many of you there.

Congratulations to Lakota FCU – celebrating 10 years!
It’s hard to believe that it’s been ten years since Lakota Federal Credit Union opened its doors and made history as the only federally insured depository institution located on the Pine Ridge Reservation. I want to send a shout out to Shayna Ferguson, Manager of Lakota FCU, along with her entire staff and board of directors on the difference they are making in the communities they serve. Their many outreach projects and programs are improving financial well-being for many of their members, and they are exemplifying the #CUDifference. May you continue to have great success and growth! For those interested, there is a celebration open house this Friday, August 26 starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Lakota Trade Center in Kyle, South Dakota.
 
Have a great week,

DakCU President/CEO