The President's Perspective

Credit unions must mobilize to protect their tax-exempt status, Dakota CEO Town Hall on April 1, and register for the 2025 Summit in Fargo.

Last week, during the 50th Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), credit union advocates from the Dakotas and across the country participated in over 600 meetings on Capitol Hill. Since then, we've received crucial updates regarding lawmakers' views on tax issues, particularly the credit union tax-exempt status. Just today, House GOP tax writers discussed credit unions' tax-exempt status at their weekly lunch, following a broader conversation among Ways and Means Republicans about potential tax reforms. They’ve indicated that they might look to the tax-exempt sector to fund reconciliation efforts. This is why it's essential for us to activate our grassroots efforts immediately.

The Value of the Credit Union Tax Status Is Under Scrutiny
You may have heard that the credit union tax-exempt status came up in discussions at the House Ways & Means Committee lunch last Friday – after weeklong of congressional meetings. But our all-out push at GAC revealed that several lawmakers are questioning the value of this status—though they remain in the minority. We cannot afford to let the tired arguments of bankers gain traction. It's time to make this issue as controversial as possible and put lawmakers on notice. They need to hear directly from their constituents, and we must show them the credit union difference. Credit unions strengthen communities, and lawmakers must understand that the loss of this status would hurt both their constituents and the economy at large.

We need to mobilize our grassroots efforts now, especially as lawmakers begin crafting legislation this week.
Here’s How You Can Help:

• Contact our U.S. Representative Today: Our Grassroots Activation Center has a message ready to send directly to your representatives and senators. You can personalize this message with impactful stories from your credit union to make it even more compelling.
• Sign Up for the Member Activation Program (MAP): If you haven’t already, sign up for MAP. This program offers email templates, media pitches, op-eds, and letter-to-the-editor templates to help educate your members and staff on the issue.
• Spread the Word via DontTaxMyCreditUnion.org: This is another great resource to share with your members and communities.

Along with our partners at America’s Credit Unions, we’re here to support you. The time to act is now!
  
Dakota CEO Town Hall Tuesday - April 1, 3 PM CT / 2 PM MT
Join us for our second-quarter Virtual CEO Town Hall on Tuesday April 1 at 3 PM CT / 2 PM MT (no joke, we’re hosting a Town Hall on April Fool's Day!). As usual, this is a must-attend event where we’ll provide critical industry updates and information impacting our Dakota credit unions.

What to Expect:

• "Don’t Tax My Credit Union" Campaign Update: Get up-to-the-minute insights from Greg Mesack, SVP of Advocacy at America’s Credit Unions, on our ongoing efforts in Washington, D.C.
• Federal, State, and Legislative Updates: We’ll also provide updates from both Pierre and Bismarck on key legislative developments, as well as other important policies and regulatory news that could impact your credit union.
• Educational and Event News: Stay informed about our upcoming educational opportunities and events designed to support you and your team.

We look forward to contacting you on Tuesday, April —no fooling!
CEOs look for the calendar invite in your inbox. Reach out to me if you need me to resend the meeting link.

Summit Registration Now Open!
Registration is open for the 2025 Summit! Join us from May 12–14 at the Delta Hotel in Fargo for an incredible three-day event. We have an outstanding lineup of speakers, covering a range of topics including credit union economics, board training, marketing, and leadership development.

For those 35 and under, we’re offering a Crasher opportunity—an excellent way to introduce emerging leaders to the credit union movement. There will also be a golf outing, our popular awards banquet, and, of course, our annual business meeting. Be sure to take advantage of the early bird discount, which saves you $50 and is available through April 18.

Who is Your Summit Crasher?
We’ve opened applications for the Summit Crasher program, and I encourage you to nominate one or more of your up-and-coming credit union leaders. This program is an invaluable opportunity for young professionals to gain knowledge, skills, and connections that will help them grow their careers.

The best part? Registration fees for Crashers are waived! The only cost involved is travel and lodging. I’d like to thank Millennium Corporate for their continued support of this leadership development program, which plays a crucial role in the future of our movement. If you have any questions about the Crasher agenda, feel free to reach out to George McDonald.

On a Positive Note
A big congratulations to Sentinel Federal Credit Union for winning a Silver ADDY at the 2025 American Advertising Awards competition hosted by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Black Hills. This recognition honors their creative excellence and innovation in marketing with their Brand Refresh commercial.

Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead!

DakCU President/CEO