​MnCUN is committed to the wellbeing of all attendees, guests, sponsors, speakers, and staff as we return to in person events. We will follow the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local governments that are in effect at the time of the conference. Staff will continue to monitor the situation leading up to and at the event, and communicate any possible changes with attendees.

Registration is now open. Receive $50 off the regular registration rate if you register by Wednesday, March 23, 2022. In addition to full conference, in person registration, we are also again offering a Virtual option that will provide viewing access to general sessions. MnCUN members may also attend the Annual Business Meeting on Thursday morning, in person, free of charge. 

For more information, schedule at a glance, lodging details and more, visit our Accelerate 22 page online. With questions, contact MnCUN Vice President of Communications and Engagement Andrea Molnau or Director of Engagement Ben Hering.  

At the January 21 Board meeting, the Minnesota Credit Union Network Board of Directors approved the strategic objectives  for 2022. To learn more about this year's legislative and regulatory priorities, events and initiatives, join the Minnesota Credit Union Network on Thursday, February 10 at 11 a.m. for The Year Ahead with the Network: A Preview of 2022. 

Credit union leadership, staff and directors from affiliated credit unions are welcome to attend this webinar. This event is free, however, please register to receive webinar details.

With questions, please contact Director of Engagement, Ben Hering, via email. 

​Board Election Update
Three seats are up for election in 2022: one in the at-large category (3-year term), and two in the 10,000 or fewer credit union members category (3-year terms).

The current Board of Directors is comprised of the following individuals (an asterisk indicates that the seat is up for election):

• Dave Boden: At-Large* (candidacy declaration received)
• Mary Hansen: At-Large
• Brian Sherrick: At-Large
• Tom Smith: At-Large
• Dan Stoltz: At-Large
• Karen Fleming: Fewer than 10,000 members*
• Julia Havens: Fewer than 10,000 members
• Debora Almirall [1]: Fewer than 10,000 members* (candidacy declaration received)
• Randy Willert: Fewer than 10,000 members

​The election process is outlined in the Network bylaws, Network Election Policy and 2022 Election Rules, and was initiated with the appointment of the Election Committee. For more details, visit the Board Election page.

The election results will be announced at the Network’s annual business meeting on April 21, 2022. The

• 2022 Candidacy Declaration form
• 2022 Board Election Rules 

For more details, visit the Board Election page.

[1] Elected in 2021 to fill Terri Maloney’s unexpired one-year term.

MnCUN Comments on NCUA Draft Strategic Plan for Climate Related Financial Risks: In November of 2021, the NCUA Board approved its 2022 – 2026 Draft Strategic Plan. As part of the plan, the NCUA identified “Longer-Term Risks,” among which is “Climate-Related Financial Risks.

Legal Battle on OSHA’s Vaccine/Testing ETS Over But New One Likely to Begin: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) withdrew its emergency temporary standard requiring large employers to implement vaccination or testing requirements (ETS). 

​On Monday, January 31, the Minnesota legislature will gavel in the 2022 legislative session. With a nearly $8 billion dollar projected surplus, leftover American Rescue Fund dollars that are unallocated, a potential bonding bill and the required redrawing of legislative districts, there will  be no shortage of action at the state Capitol this year. MnCUN staff will be highly engaged with legislators in both bodies and both political parties to ensure that credit union legislative priorities are understood and advanced.

​Since 2014, MnCUN’s Grassroots Coordinator program has been successful at marshaling people to engage in credit union advocacy. Last year, advocates sent over 50,000 messages to members of Congress and the number of GREAT members increased by nearly 2,800.

​The credit for that success is due to the efforts of Grassroots Coordinators in credit unions across the state talking with other staff and members about issues that are important to our industry. To build on these efforts, the Network is expanding the program to allow for multiple Coordinators from a credit union. Previously, credit unions were only allowed one Grassroots Coordinator each.

The role of a Grassroots Coordinator is to act as the liaison on legislative and advocacy issues for their credit union, rallying grassroots participation and reporting progress to the Minnesota Credit Union Network. They work closely with Network staff on state and federal issues and get weekly updates during the Minnesota legislative session on MnCUN’s legislative agenda. There are also periodic special trainings and meetings to sharpen understanding of issues and inform them of political trends at the state and federal level. Coordinators come from a diverse range of backgrounds and position titles, ranging from MSR’s to CEO’s.

If any staff member at any level has an interest in the political and advocacy work of credit unions in Minnesota, as well as across the country, they should contact MnCUN Director of Governmental Affairs Ryan Smith at rsmith@mncun.org. 

​CUNA and the Cooperative Trust - a young professionals group through the Filene Research Institute - have partnered with state leagues to send young credit union professionals from each state and D.C. to take part in the event. Taubel will join 51 other crashers to attend the core schedule of GAC events, along with exclusive speaker sessions for young adults to help promote credit unions locally and nationally.

Details about CUNA GAC can be found on the event’s website. Please visit the Cooperative Trust's webpage to stay informed on future Crash opportunities. 

​The spring schedule of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) sessions is now available!  In 2021, the Minnesota Credit Union Network welcomed over 400 participants to join in 27 different sessions throughout the year. This year, the Network will continue to provide meaningful connections and content through the P2P program, utilizing a virtual platform along with the new MNCUN mobile app to facilitate ongoing conversations. P2Ps will remain open forums with an emphasis on facilitated conversations between participants and invited experts.
​
Registered attendees of P2Ps in 2022 will be invited to join their respective “group” via the Network mobile app and will gain access to session materials including recordings, participation lists, meeting notes and shared resources.
Below is our list of scheduled P2Ps for the spring of 2022. For more information and to register, please click on the respective link to each group.
​
Spring 2022 P2P Sessions:
03/08     BSA Officer and Compliance P2P
03/10     Financial Education P2P
03/17     Call Center P2P
03/22     Collections P2P
03/29     Data & Analytics P2P
04/07     Training & Development P2P
04/12     Branch Operations P2P
05/05     Board Directors P2P
05/10     Accounting & Finance P2P
05/12     Credit Union Foundation P2P
05/19     Innovation P2P
06/02     Crew Young Professionals P2P
06/14     Marketing & Business Development P2P
 
With questions, please reach out to Ben Hering, Director of Engagement, via email. 

​Join the Minnesota Credit Union Network's strategic partner Strategic Resource Management (SRM) as they provide an overview on the basics of digital assets (cryptocurrency and decentralized finance) and distributed ledger technologies (DLT). 

The revolution in digital money has moved into traditional finance, as cryptocurrency reshapes the way people borrow and save. This rise of cryptocurrency and its blockchain-based mechanism has captured the interest of traders, investors, and financial institutions alike.

Due to the complexity of cryptocurrencies and their underlying technologies, financial institutions are struggling to understand the risks and opportunities of this $3 trillion emerging asset class.

The revolution in digital money has moved into traditional finance, as cryptocurrency reshapes the way people borrow and save. This rise of cryptocurrency and its blockchain-based mechanism has captured the interest of traders, investors, and financial institutions alike. Due to the complexity of cryptocurrencies and their underlying technologies, financial institutions are struggling to understand the risks and opportunities of this $3 Trillion emerging asset class.
​
SRM will discuss six key areas of opportunity for financial institutions to generate new revenue streams by providing digital assets solutions and will cover real-world examples of credit unions, banks, and fintechs currently leveraging crypto to enhance their product offerings. Furthermore, you will learn how to avoid being disintermediated and actually leverage these technologies to reach new members and increase the engagement of existing ones.​

Join the Minnesota Credit Union Network on Thursday, February 10 at 11 a.m. for The Year Ahead with the Network: A Preview of 2022. MnCUN President & CEO, Mark Cummins, along with Network staff, will share the legislative and regulatory priorities, events and initiatives, and updates credit unions can look forward to in 2022. 

Credit union leadership, staff and directors from affiliated credit unions are welcome to attend this webinar. This event is free, however, please register to receive webinar details.
​
With questions, please contact Director of Engagement, Ben Hering, via email.