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The Minnesota Credit Union Network kicked off 2020 with a full line up of in-person Peer-to-Peer (P2P) sessions, which began in February. As developments around the COVID-19 pandemic changed the nature of these events, all P2P sessions transitioned to a virtual, video conference meetings.
Through the changes and challenges, the Network provided 19 P2P roundtables in 2020. Together, 425 attendees representing 57 different credit unions participated in sessions with expert panels and presenters, facilitated conversation and group discussion. Here are a few things our participants have said about the sessions: “I like that there was some time for open discussion between everyone. It's nice to hear how each place approaches different things. Brings to light things we may not have thought of.” “Having these virtual sessions allows more people to participate without regard to location.” “I enjoyed hearing what other CUs are doing and how they are operating through their challenges, as well as the open discussion, to be able to hear input or suggestions from other CUs.” “Speakers had interesting topics and engaged the participants for feedback.” As we look forward to the new year, P2Ps will continue virtually in the spring, with an increased focus on creating forums that foster credit union networking and collaboration. Stay tuned for a list of scheduled P2Ps to be announced in January, along with all other educational programming and events, on the MnCUN calendar online. With questions, please contact MnCUN Director of Engagement Ben Hering by email. The full list of 2021 P2P sessions along with all other educational programming and events are available on the MnCUN calendar online. With questions, please contact MnCUN Director of Engagement Ben Hering by email. Financial & Audit Professionals Grant applications are now open. Funding from the Financial & Audit Professionals Grant program is intended to cover or defray the costs for credit union professionals and/or volunteers to attend timely and accurate educational events, conferences and seminars on financial and audit-related topics. Reputable course providers include, but are not limited to, the following:
Applications will be accepted until Dec. 31, 2020 for use in 2021. The Financial & Audit Professionals Grant Fund was established in 2014 through a generous contribution from Rich Gabrielson, a CPA who worked with Minnesota credit union supervisory committees, boards of directors and management throughout his 36-year career. Gabrielson retired from CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP at the end of 2013. With questions, please contact the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation’s Executive Director Andrea Molnau. The Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids Committee invites all credit unions to participate in the 2021 Chain of Hearts fundraiser to benefit Minnesota and western Wisconsin’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Gillette treats kids with disabilities and complex medical conditions in all Minnesota counties and beyond.
Jan. 4 to Feb. 28, 2021 are the campaign dates but credit unions may participate during any time frame that best fits their calendar. During the fundraiser, credit union members and local businesses are encouraged to purchase paper links and hearts that are connected and hung in lobbies to help illustrate the "people helping people" philosophy of credit unions. All proceeds benefit Gillette Children's Hospital. To participate, credit unions simply fill out the registration form by Friday, December 18, 2020 and CU4Kids will provide Chain of Hearts materials at no cost. Although typically reserved for in-branch display, Chain of Hearts campaign can be implemented through credit union drive-through and curbside services.
With questions, reach out to Director of Engagement, Ben Hering, via email or call at (651) 288-5519. In a year with so many challenges, Minnesota’s Open Your Eyes Initiative made strides in boosting consumer awareness of credit unions. Please join us for a webinar on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 from 1 – 2pm, to review the analytics from 2020’s campaign, hear our most recent ad recall poll results, and learn more about what’s coming in 2021. The webinar is free although we ask that you please register.
The session will be recorded. With questions, please contact Andrea Molnau, VP Communications & Engagement at [email protected]. Please register for Minnesota’s 2020 Awareness Initiative Results on Dec 15, 2020 1:00 PM CST at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4499264664354659343 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. During the first general session of the virtual annual conference, Mark Cummins, President & CEO of the Minnesota Credit Union Network provided an overview current state of the industry, updates on several key initiatives, and a preview the year ahead.
Ryan Donovan, Chief Advocacy Officer for CUNA, also briefed participants on what to expect at the U.S. Capitol after the November election and Rodney Hood, Chair of the National Credit Union Administration provided an update from a federal regulatory perspective. Additionally, Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Minnesota US Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar sent virtual greetings to attendees and expressed support for credit unions. MnCUN Members can view a recording of the session on the Members Portal. The Minnesota House and Senate recently announced their respective committee structure, chairs and the schedule lawmakers will follow when they convene Jan. 5, 2021.
Notably for credit unions, Senator Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls) will remain the chair of the Senate Commerce committee, while the House Commerce committee will now be helmed by Rep. Zach Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) after the retirement of the previous Chair, Rep. Laurie Halverson. “MnCUN wants to congratulate all of the new and returning committee chairs in both bodies,” said MnCUN Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Mara Humphrey. “We look forward to working with leaders in both bodies to help alleviate the worst effects of the pandemic and advancing issues important to Minnesota credit unions and their members.” The rest of the committee information is below. Full committee rosters will be posted before the end of December. Last week, Governor Walz unveiled a plan to aid small businesses in Minnesota to help navigate the continued economic struggles wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Governor’s plan includes:
House Republicans also unveiled their own legislative proposals to help small businesses last week. Known as the Main Street Relief Act, it is a package of proposals that is led by, according to a House Republican press release, "a $400 million grant fund designed to help restaurants, bars, breweries, bowling alleys, gyms, and other establishments that were ordered to close or limit operations last week with less than 48 hours-notice.” It would also allow gyms to reopen immediately and waive various business-related fees. It is expected that the Governor’s office, along with leaders from all four legislative caucuses, are negotiating on a compromise package that could pass both House and Senate when they reconvene next week to take up the latest extension of the Governor’s emergency powers. MnCUN staff have been in contact with the Governor’s office about some of their proposals and are waiting for more details on the business eviction moratorium. We will share any info we get with our members as soon as we receive more specific details. Does this sound familiar? “The pandemic has forcefully reminded us that we urgently need to leverage our data to help our members navigate this “new normal”. But honestly, where do we start? Our data is all over the place and a data initiative feels too overwhelming and expensive to take on right now. But we know we really need to harness our data to help our members.”
If so, MNCUN can help you fall in love with your data in less time and money than you think. Presented by Anne Legg, author of Big Data/Big Climb and Founder & CEO of Thrive Strategic Services, this data analytics education series offers tools and a forum for knowledge exchange to help key stakeholders fill knowledge gaps and launch their data journey with the assets they have at their credit union. Fall in Love with Data certification program, to be held this February 9, 22, 23 and 25, 2021 and will be split up into seven courses with one morning session and one afternoon session each date. You do not need to be a data lover or even a math lover to leverage your data to improve the lives of your member. Any credit union leader, staff or volunteer is encouraged to attend; the only criteria to attend is that you want to improve your members lives. Register Now Dates: February 9,11, 23 and 25 Time: 9-10 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. each day Cost: $525 This event will be made only via webinar/conference call. Webinar and call in instructions will be provided to registered attendees. With questions, please contact MnCUN Director of Engagement Ben Hering by email or by phone at 651-288-5519. Last month, members of the Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids Committee (CU4Kids) and the Foundation Scholarship Council (FSC) received awards for outstanding service at the Minnesota Credit Union Network Annual Conference.
The Minnesota chapter of Credit Unions for Kids raises funds for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, a Children’s Miracle Network hospital. Minnesota CU4Kids has raised over $3 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 1997. Kim Peterson received the award for Minnesota CU4Kids Outstanding Volunteer for the third year in a row. Kim is a Marketing Specialist at SouthPoint Financial Credit Union and joined the committee in 2015. Kim has served as co-chair and has led several of the subcommittees. The FSC strives to build credit union brand awareness and strengthen member relationships through its scholarship program. The FSC annual scholarship program is made possible through its silent auction and Dice & Ice Fundraising events. Deb Cariveau-Rogers, Hiway Credit Union, was named FSC Volunteer of the Year. Deb is Marketing Manager at Hiway Credit Union and joined the FSC in 2011. “Both the Foundation Scholarship Council and Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids represent the credit union philosophies of cooperation and people helping people,” said Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Executive Director Andrea Molnau. “Deb and Kim have gone above and beyond by devoting their time and talent to ensuring their respective committees exceed their goals. On behalf of the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation, I would like to thank and congratulate both women.” More information about Minnesota CU4Kids, the FSC, and the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation is available on the Foundation section of the mncun.org website. |
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