The President's Perspective

​A fond farewell to a North Dakota credit union leader as she approaches retirement.  Plus, a CEO challenge to help support the Dakota Credit Union Foundation! 

Greetings and Happy Monday~
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The countdown continues as we are now just one week away from our 15th Annual Summit, May 3 – 4 in Fargo.  I am very pleased to share that we have over 200 attendees registered for our event – very close to pre-COVID numbers!  We are excited about the high-level keynote and breakout presenters we have ready to engage and share with our attendees.
 
One note, we have added a Health Benefits Town Hall session to the Summit agenda for credit unions in either state that want to learn more about the DakCU Health Benefits Trust.  This will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 3rd just prior to the Vendor Social in a separate room near the exhibit hall.  Here you will learn more about how our Health Benefits Trust works and how you can enhance your employee benefit options at your credit union.  We will have our HBT consultants from Hays Companies present to answer any questions and share cost-savings options for consideration in 2022.
 
Thank Your Bank or CU Month in North Dakota!
Later today, I will be joining the Bankers Association and the Independent Community Banks in Governor Burgum’s office as he officially declares the month of May as “Thank Your Bank or Credit Union Month” in North Dakota.  This event is a collaborative effort between the three financial trade associations and the Bank of North Dakota (BND).  Governor Burgum’s proclamation will bring light to the incredible work and the critical role that financial institutions played in administering federal and state COVID relief programs this past year and reinforce the important role local financial institutions play in advancing our communities.  
 
As part of the celebration, your credit union has an opportunity to win $5,000 to be used to support an education-related activity in your community.  To qualify, at least one of your members must submit a comment about your credit union at bnd.nd.gov/my community.  If their comment is selected in the random drawing, your credit union wins!  It’s that simple.  Check out the related Memo story today for all the details and be sure to promote using the ready-made graphics and posters.  It’s time to toot our own horns a little and be recognized for all our accomplishments over the past year.  
 
Also, look for information in your email inbox this week about this event.  We will be including details to your communications and marketing teams.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Shawn Brummer.  BND has created turnkey media assets including logos,  posters, social media posts, a press release, and a video about the role local financial institutions play.  If you have any questions about the marketing materials, please contact BND’s communications manager Janel Schmitz.

DakCU Foundation CEO Challenge
The Dakota Credit Union Foundation will be sponsoring several fundraising events during the Summit, one being a Wine Cork Raffle.  Last week I issued a CEO challenge to all Dakota CEOs and credit union managers to make a personal contribution to the Wine Cork Raffle.  We will sell numbered wine corks (no more than 75) at $20 each for a chance to win a nice (or exceptionally nice) bottle of wine.  I will be personally donating $100 for this event, and I am hoping you will meet my challenge by contributing $25, $50, or $100.  We will use the donations to purchase the wine prizes.  Your contribution is tax deductible to our non-profit 501 1 (c) 3 Foundation.  Donating is quick and easy, just submit your donation on our ClickBid interactive site and then click “Foundation Donation.”  Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Reminder: Dakotas Sister Society First Meeting
You can still sign up to participate in the first meeting of the Dakotas Sister Society scheduled for this Wednesday, April 28th at 2:00 p.m. (CT) via Zoom.  The Sister Society is an initiative of the Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) and the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU).  The meeting is open to everyone, from the frontline to CEOs, regardless of gender!  To register, RSVP to Nanci Wilson today.  The group plans to reconnect quarterly following the initial meeting.
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Congratulations and Best Wishes to Dee Dee Kraft
There are some bittersweet days that come with this line of work.  I have come to know many great servant leaders here in the Dakotas over the years, and the longer you hang around, the more you have to say farewell to good and decent people that you respect and admire.  Last Thursday was one of those days.  It was an emotional day as I stopped by to thank Dee Dee Kraft, Manager of Minot Area Schools Federal Credit Union, for her many years of service to her members and for her dedicated leadership to the credit union movement.  Once again, thank you, Dee Dee!  You put into action the credit union philosophy of helping and improving the financial well-being of your members.  Congratulations and best wishes on your retirement.
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Have a terrific week!

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​President/CEO
Dakota Credit Union Association