Three seats are up for election in 2022 for the Minnesota Credit Union Network Board of Directors. 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 following candidacy declarations have been received.
 
10k or Less Members
Deb Almirall – Minnesota Power Employees CU
Dana Garrett – North Memorial FCU
 
At-Large
Dave Boden – Hiway CU
 
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*
•  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: Fewer than 10,000 members* 
•  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. 
​For more details, visit the Board Election page.

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

​Join the Minnesota Credit Union Network tomorrow, Thursday, February 10 at 11 a.m. for "The Year Ahead with the Network: A Preview of 2022." 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. 

Updated BSA/AML & OFAC Training for Staff and Board Members Available: Through our relationship with ViClarity, MnCUN provides member credit unions access to various compliance training webinars, including BSA/AML & OFAC training​.

Minnesota Legislative Update: The Minnesota Credit Union Network is working with the Minnesota Bankers Association to introduce legislation regarding the Department of Commerce’s special revenue fund. 

​IMPACT 22: To learn more about MnCUN Legislative Priorities and to get more involved in advocacy this session, join IMPACT 22, our virtual Credit Union Day at the Capitol next Wed., Feb. 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The first Financial Education P2P of the year will be an open format conversation with peers around credit union financial education efforts. This event is meant to be an opportunity to meet and share with one another.

This event will be made only via webinar/conference call. Webinar and call in instructions, along with recordings, session materials and resources, will be provided to registered attendees.

​Stay tuned for further announcements and updates!

Thursday, March 10 at 1:00 p.m. via webinar and video conference. 
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Webinar/Video Conference 
Cost: $49
REGISTER

P2P sessions will continue to be held as virtual roundtables, providing open forums for credit union staff throughout Minnesota, for knowledge sharing, resources and connections. 

For a list of all P2P sessions, visit our Peer-to-Peer (P2P) webpage. With questions, please contact MnCUN Director of Engagement Ben Hering by email or by phone at 651-288-5519.

​The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation is pleased announce the opening of a new grant opportunity. The DEI Grant is intended to support credit unions’ implementation of projects that support Diversity, Equity and Financial Inclusion.

​The application period is open so that credit unions may apply for funding at any time throughout the year. The Foundation Board will act on applications at their regularly scheduled Board meetings.

DEI initiatives may include (but not limited to) projects in the following areas:

• Partnering with Coopera or other organization for demographic analysis of membership
• CDFI certification support from Inclusiv or other organization
• Internal DEI credit union staff training
• Efforts to reach and/or serve underserved populations in community

“The Foundation is committed to helping the state’s credit unions and communities prosper and thrive,” said Andrea Molnau, Executive Director. “This new grant opportunity is an additional way we can support credit unions in the important work of financial inclusion.”

For more information and further guidelines, visit mncun.org/apply-for-a-grant. With questions, please contact Foundation Executive Director Andrea Molnau.

​In recognition of the support from the Minnesota Credit Union Community to launch Village Financial Credit Union, the Association for Black Economic Power (ABEP) is pleased to provide the following update on the status of the charter applications process. ABEP is a nonprofit organization created to establish a Black-led credit union to address systemic financial challenges impacting Minneapolis residents, particularly people of color. Project updates include:

• A Credit Union Advisory group has been established, and is meeting on a regular basis. The committee includes:
  • Valerie Geaither, Board Chair – Association for Black Economic Power
  • Denise Huginnie, National Partnerships Advisor – African-American Credit Union Coalition
  • Mark Cummins, President & CEO – Minnesota Credit Union Network
  • Mara Humphrey, Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer – Minnesota Credit Union Network
  • Ben Hering, Director of Engagement – Minnesota Credit Union Network
  • Brian Volkmann, EVP & CFO –  Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
  • Dave Boden, President & Chief Executive Officer – Hiway Credit Union
  • Justin Burleson, SVP/Chief Operating, Financial & Technology Officer – SPIRE Credit Union
  • Bill Paton, VP – Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union
  • Sam Brownell, Founder & CEO  –  CUCollaborate
  • George McGourty, Partner – Arriba Advisors
  • Lamar Heyward, SVP Marketing – Civic Federal Credit Union
    
    
• The Board of Directors search is underway. This is a critical step in the process as the Board will finalize the selection of the credit unions ‘s CEO. Information about this opportunity is posted on MnCUN’s Job Board and all are encouraged to share with their networks.
  
  
• ​The State Charter and NCUA insurance applications are anticipated to be submitted at the end of Q1, 2022; in hopes of a soft launch in Q4.

A monthly call has been scheduled through MnCUN to provide additional updates and the opportunity to ask questions. Those interested in participating can reach out to Samantha Marks for the log in credentials.

The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation is seeking both Capital Contributions and Pledges of Deposit to help support this effort. To learn more about making a financial commitment, visit mncun.org/villagefinancial or contact Minnesota Credit Union Foundation President Mark Cummins or Executive Director Andrea Molnau.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network is now accepting nominations for its most prestigious awards. Now is your chance to nominate a colleague for the 2022 Outstanding Professional of the Year or Outstanding Director (formerly Volunteer) of the Year. 

​​The winners of these awards will be recognized with a video tribute to debut during the Minnesota Credit Union Network's annual conference - the ACCELERATE 22 Conference, which will take place April 21 & 22 at the Radisson Blu Mall of America in Bloomington.

• Outstanding Professional of the Year recognizes the notable service of one outstanding credit union professional who has selflessly given time, effort and talent to the support and promotion of the credit union mission and who has gone above and beyond to improve the credit union culture in Minnesota.

• ​Outstanding Director (formerly Volunteer) of the Year is given to one extraordinary credit union board member who best exemplifies the credit union spirit through dedication to, and belief in, the credit union movement. Grounds for nomination include involvement in the credit union movement at local and state levels and participation in other activities that support the credit union mission.

​​Nominations for the awards must be received by the Network by Friday, Feb., 18 by 5 p.m. Complete information and online nomination forms can be found on the Awards section the MnCUN website.

​Please note that only nominations completed using the online forms will be accepted. Contact Julia Miller, MnCUN Director of Communications with questions.