The President's Perspective

​DakCU Mobile app is live and ready for you to download; Advancing Communities can help paint a picture of the #CUDifference; and Marvel Ebenhahn’s story lives on! 

Greetings and Happy Monday!
 
Hopefully, these April rain and snow showers will result in a nice wet planting season across the region this spring and bring us all beautiful May flowers in the coming weeks. Even though winter has decided to hang on for a bit longer, May is just one week away and our Annual Summit meetings in Rapid City, SD, are just 15 days away. We are looking forward to connecting with many of you in the beautiful Black Hills!
 
DakCU Mobile app launched.
Speaking of the Summit, we are excited to announce the launch of our brand-new mobile application. The DakCU Mobile App went live on Friday, is a terrific interactive tool and member resource that you can load on your mobile device that allows users to be fully engaged and connected during any of our DakCU sponsored events, such as the Summit. The DakCU team has been hard at work getting the “hands on” mobile device application loaded, tested and launched since early this year. I can confidently predict that you are going to like this new handy resource and I encourage you to download the DakCU Mobile app today. It is available for both Apple and Android devices. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Lindsey Hefta, our Director of Marketing.

360 Degree Advocacy
Congress was still on their Easter break last week, however, the NCUA Board held their monthly meeting last Thursday. There wasn’t much on the agenda as the board focused on a cybersecurity briefing and update on its diversity, equity, and inclusion program. In other news, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a report on challenges facing rural communities, and how credit unions offer products that “fit the local economic terrain.”

How are you advancing your community?
National Credit Union Youth Month and Financial Literacy Month are perfect opportunities to highlight the credit union difference and what Dakota credit unions are doing to help their members and the communities we serve. If you recall, the CUNA League systems collaboratively launched the Advancing Communities website last year as a resource for Dakota credit unions to share how they are improving the financial well-being of their members and advancing the communities they serve. You still have time this month to share your stories, so please think about the difference you make for your members and submit your stories to Advancing Communities. It’s how we paint an undeniable picture of the credit union difference.
 
A Person for the Ages.
During the CUNA GAC in early March, I had the opportunity to be on stage representing the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL). I used this time to share Marvel Ebenhahn’s story. As many of you know, Marvel was the long-time president/CEO of Community Credit Union in New Rockford, ND. I am guessing that Chip Filson, a popular and well-known credit union industry leader, blogger, and innovator, was in attendance. We know this because he reached out, looking for a copy of our tribute video, titled “An Institutional Marvel” about her life’s work that we produced in 2016 prior to Marvel’s retirement. Fast forward: Marvel’s story certainly caught Mr. Filson’s attention as he referenced her as a great example of the cooperative spirit and featured her story in his blog last week, “A Person for the Ages.” I highly recommend taking a moment to review this story.
 
Congrats to Pam Cote on her upcoming retirement.
I would like to congratulate Pam Cote on her upcoming retirement from Postal Family FCU. Pam is a Member Service Rep and Loan Officer in Grand Forks and has served Postal Family and the credit union industry for 23 years. An open house will be on Friday, May 13th, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at their Grand Forks Branch located at 2501 28th Ave. South. Please join me in sending warm regards as she begins this new chapter.
 
Summit Give Back project planned.
Just a quick reminder about our Summit Give Back Project. This year in Rapid City, SD, we have chosen the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Monument Health. After consulting with the Monument Health Foundation, it was determined that prepaid gift cards in increments of $25 would be greatly appreciated and allow their foundation the flexibility to distribute to families in need at their discretion. Your donation will go a long way in supporting a family experiencing a medical hardship, while promoting credit unions at the same time. Below is a sample of the greeting that will be included with each gift card. Contact Shawn Brummer if you have any questions.

​Small CU Webinar Series available
I wanted to remind you of a free webinar program for smaller credit unions from CUNA. In this series, you will be introduced to business partners that are vetted and known to work well with smaller credit unions. Each month, small credit union-friendly providers will present how their offerings can enhance your service to members. This free series runs now through next December and sessions will be recorded so you can watch at your convenience. You can register here.
 
And, while we are on the subject of small credit unions, here is an upcoming event you should have on your radar! CUNA, along with DakCU, Mountain West CU Association, Montana’s Credit Unions, Utah’s Credit Unions and Credit Union Association of New Mexico will be holding an in-person “Western Small CU Conference” on July 17 – 19 in Salt Lake City, UT. Check out the schedule and agenda here and feel free to contact George McDonald, DakCU’s Chief Officer of Strategic Resources with any questions.
 
Have a great week! 

DakCU President/CEO