The President’s Perspective

DakCU advocacy leaders meet with candidate Fedorchak; congratulations to Mona Buisker celebrating 30 years of service, and sign up soon for New Ideas Conference! 

L to R: John Alexander, Julie Fedorchak, Jeff Olson, and Steve Davis, ND GAC Chairman.

​The importance of getting out the vote in the November election. 
Labor Day weekend means the beginning of the election “home stretch.” Campaign signs will litter our neighborhoods and line our rural roads and highways. South Dakota doesn’t have early in-person voting, but you can cast an absentee ballot at the county auditor’s office from September 20th through November 4th. Early Voting begins 46 days before the election (in-person absentee voting) and ends the day before Election Day. In North Dakota, only five counties offer early voting: Burleigh; Cass; Grand Forks; Morton; Stark; and Ward; with varying poll dates and times.  
 
Voting is a fundamental right and a powerful tool for shaping the future of our communities, states, and country. In North Dakota and South Dakota, voter turnout has historically fluctuated, but every vote is crucial in determining the direction of policies and leadership.
 
North Dakota saw approximately 61% of eligible voters cast their ballots in the 2020 presidential election, while South Dakota had a slightly higher turnout at around 73%. These numbers reflect a strong sense of civic duty, but there’s still room for improvement. Nationally, about 67% of eligible Americans voted in the 2020 election, indicating that many citizens are taking advantage of their right to vote.
 
However, the percentages also show that a significant portion of the population—nearly one-third—did not exercise their right to vote. This is a missed opportunity to have a say in decisions that affect everything from local school boards to federal policies.
 
For North Dakotans and South Dakotans, participating in the November election is especially important as it allows citizens to influence key issues and the officials who will represent their interests. Every vote contributes to the collective voice that drives change and ensures that the government reflects the will of the people.
 
As the November election approaches, it’s essential for all eligible voters in these states to make their voices heard. Voting is not just a right; it's a responsibility that helps shape the future for us and future generations. Whether it's a local issue or a national race, your vote matters. Don’t let it go uncast.
 
DakCU Advocacy Leadership meets with Fedorchak.
Prior to the Labor Day weekend, Dakota Credit Union Association advocacy leaders had the opportunity to host a meet and greet with Juile Fedorchak, Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. For the last 12 years, Fedorchak has served on the North Dakota Public Service Commission.
Fedorchak won the right to run for North Dakota’s lone At-Large House seat with a double digit win over five other Republican challengers in the June primary election. The Democrats have tapped Trygve Hammer of Minot as their candidate. Polls have Fedorchak with a double-digit lead over Hammer. The seat is currently held by Congressman Kelly Armstrong, who is running for Governor.
 
During our meeting, we took the opportunity to share current issues that are impacting credit unions and our members, including: preserving the credit union tax exemption; the Home Privacy Act (H.R. 7297 – a consumer safeguard bill that prohibits a consumer reporting agency from sharing personal information when purchasing a home mortgage or home equity loan); and opposition to H.R. 9303 (revisions to the Electronic Transfer Fund Transfer Act that would require credit unions and financial institutions to reimburse consumers for any unauthorized or fraudulent money transfers or payments). Ultimately, this would add operational burdens and potentially increase fraud cases, straining resources, leading to higher costs for members, and impacting their ability to serve their communities effectively. We appreciate Fedorchak making time to hear our concerns! 

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Sign up now for New Ideas.
We are now just 10 days from the September 13 deadline to sign up for the New Ideas Conference taking place September 24 – 25 in Bismarck/Mandan. New Ideas will leave you excited, invigorated, and inspired with key takeaways you can implement at your organization immediately. The sessions are appropriate for everyone from entry level to top management. For just $379 per person, you will receive the latest information you need to propel your credit union towards even greater success. I hope to see many of you there!

Celebrating 30 years of service!
This week, a longtime staff member of Norstar FCU (Britton, SD) is marking a true career milestone with 30 years of dedicated service as a Senior Loan Officer. Since beginning her credit union career on September 1, 1994, Mona Buisker has played a crucial role at Norstar, supporting the community through her expertise and commitment to excellence.

According to Norstar CEO Jay Kruse, “In the past three decades, Mona has underwritten thousands of consumer, mortgage, agricultural, and commercial loans. Her deep understanding of the financial needs of our members has made her an invaluable asset to Norstar FCU. Mona’s passion for serving the Britton community and her unwavering support for our local agricultural producers and small business owners have been the cornerstone of her work.”
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Kruse added, “Mona’s dedication to her role and her community has helped countless individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals, contributing to the growth and prosperity of our region. We are incredibly grateful for her 30 years of service and the positive impact she has had on both Norstar FCU and the community we serve. We look forward to many more years of success and service with her as a valued member of the Norstar FCU family.”
Thank you, Mona, for your incredible dedication and for making a difference in the lives of so many! 

Congratulations to Railway Credit Union.
Last week, American Banker named 70 credit unions that made their “Best Credit Unions to Work For” list for 2024. Among those recognized: Railway Credit Union of Mandan, ND, led by President/CEO Paul Brucker. Not only did Railway make the list, but they also landed the #3 spot overall based on two surveys; one that included employees weighing in, and a second that reviewed benefits and policies. Kudos to Paul and his crew on this prestigious recognition!

On a positive note!
As we shared earlier this summer in The Memo, the Credit Unions United Chapter was once again sponsoring “Operation Thank You” in multiple Minot area credit unions. Originally launched by North Star Community Credit Union under the leadership of branch manager Sandi Widdel, the charitable event was organized to fulfill the needs of local veterans and soon became a chapter event. 

For the fourth consecutive year, with the support of the community, credit unions were able to meet and exceed expectations, as nearly 6,000 personal care and hygiene items were donated and delivered to the Veterans Affairs Office! Congratulations to all involved!
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Have a great week!  

DakCU President/CEO