As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, the entire MnCUN staff would like to thank each and every member for supporting the credit union system. We truly value the important work you do every day for your members, which inspires us to advocate on behalf of your credit union to make that job easier.

In the midst of all 2020 has presented, we are proud of what we have accomplished by coming together. We’ve met with our peers on calls, webinars, and meetings; shared best practices, documents, and policies; connected with industry experts; contributed to online forums; advocated with legislators; supported front line workers and others in our communities; and supported each other as we’ve navigated the challenges of our day. We are thankful to belong to a movement that works for good, and thrives on cooperation. 
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Thank you all for your continued support of the Network, and Happy Thanksgiving. Together we are stronger!

Last week, MnCUN Chief Engagement and Advocacy Officer was honored at the virtual Top Women in Finance event.
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“Mara uses her coalition building skills to help credit unions confront challenges and succeed in their mission as not-for-profit financial cooperatives, said Mark Cummins, President & CEO of the Minnesota Credit Union Network. “The Network congratulates Mara on her accomplishments.”

This is the 20th year Finance & Commerce will be celebrating accomplished women from around Minnesota. View Mara’s profile in the Top Women in Finance magazine.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network presented the Outstanding Credit Union Volunteer of the Year and Outstanding Credit Union Professional of the Year awards at a ceremony held virtually during the MnCUN 2020 Annual Conference on November 19.

To help celebrate virtually, view the honorees acceptance speech and offer a congratulatory note! View video tributes of each honoree on the Outstanding Professional and Volunteer of the Year Award web page.

CUNA's National Awards Committee announced the 2020 recipients of Desjardins Awards for Financial Education, including HomeTown Credit Union and TopLine Federal Credit Union.

The Desjardins Awards honor credit unions, chapters, and leagues for their commitment to both youth and adult financial literacy.

HomeTown Credit Union placed second overall for their Virtual Lunch and Learn Program, which is a social distancing friendly adaption of their financial education. Each session is free of charge and highlight a personal finance topic or expert on a related topic. These live and recorded sessions are shared with our community partners that we provide financial education for, such as schools, non-profit agencies and social-service organizations.

TopLine Federal Credit Union received an Honorable mention for the Youth Category for their YouthCare C.S. Star Program. The training program provides meaningful employment and service-learning opportunities for urban youth, from diverse backgrounds. As a part of the program, TopLine holds a financial literacy workshop for the youth emphasizing goal setting, how to budget, saving and many other relevant financial topics for youth.

“The Desjardins award winners illustrate how credit unions live the “people helping philosophy” through their everyday operations, community service and education,” MnCUN President & CEO Mark Cummins. “We are proud of the work that they do to improve their members’ financial well-being and communities as a whole.”
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The awards, which are given in several credit union asset sizes, were selected among state-level winning entries to compete nationally. The Minnesota Credit Union Network and the Dakota Credit Union Association have a reciprocal judging agreement to ensure impartiality.

During the 2020 Annual Conference, Minnesota credit unions were recognized for their fundraising and grassroots efforts. Political fundraising and organizing is essential to increasing the political prominence and influence of Minnesota credit unions.

Fair Share
The Fair Share plan challenges each credit union in the state to financially support political fundraising initiatives.

• Top Chapter: Hiawatha Valley Chapter
• Highest Total Contributions: City & County Credit Union

Payroll Deduction Contribution
Payroll deduction is an easy way to contribute to support credit union-friendly candidates at the state and federal levels.​

• Highest Total Payroll Deduction contributor: City & County Credit Union 
• Highest Payroll Deduction Percentage of Employees: United Employees Credit Union 
• Highest Number of Participants: Hiway Federal Credit Union 

GREAT
​The GrassRoots Education & Action Team (GREAT) is coordinated by the Minnesota Credit Union Network and powered by Minnesota credit union employees, volunteers, and members. GREAT provides credit union supporters a way to help preserve, protect and promote Minnesota credit unions.

• Highest Number of GREAT Members: Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union 
• Highest Percentage of GREAT Members: Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union

To support CU advocacy and participate in these programs, visit the Support CU Advocacy section of the website.

As the state trade association for Minnesota’s credit unions, providing top-tier educational and professional development opportunities is one of the many ways in which the Minnesota Credit Union Network serves you. As we continue to navigate and adapt to the pandemic, we anticipate continuing to host all MnCUN events virtually until mid-year, in hopes we can meet together in person the second half of 2021. 
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As you work to set next year's budgets and schedules, please consider saving the date for the following events:

January 20-21: Exploring Why - an experiential training that empowers employees of all levels to understand and leverage the Credit Union Difference to drive greater value for your members and organization. Presented by the National Credit Union Foundation and sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation.
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February 1-5: CU Legislative Week at the Capitol

Feb 9, 11, 23 & 25: Data Education Program - A data analytics education series, offering tools and an education forum knowledge exchange platform to help key stakeholders fill knowledge gaps and launch their data journey with the assets they have at their credit union. Presented by Anne Legg, Thrive Strategic Services.

March 2-4: CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference

April 23: MnCUN Annual Business Meeting

September 10-12: Fall Leadership Conference

September TBD: Hike the Hill​ 

October 11: CU FORWARD Day, Across Minnesota

November 17-18: MnCUN Annual Conference

View the Professional Development menu for more details on these event and visit the Network’s Event Calendar for the full lineup of events and educational sessions throughout the year. With questions or suggestions, please contact Director of Engagement, Ben Hering, by email or by phone at (651) 288-5519.

In 2021, the Foundation Scholarship Committee will award $16,000 in scholarships to help credit union members continue their education. 

Any member of a Minnesota Credit Union Network affiliated credit union pursuing post-secondary education in the fall 2021/spring 2022 OR is a high school senior graduating in 2021 is eligible to apply.

Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time November 30, 2020. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
 
The FSC has various materials available to help you promote the 2020-21 scholarship program to your members. Visit the Scholarship Council webpage for resources such as the FSC logo, postcard, lobby flyer and an insert. The application is available online.

The Network’s Virtual Annual Conference is happening right now! Almost 440 credit union professionals, volunteers and partners are registered for the conference and will participate in some fantastic sessions, a virtual exhibit hall, breakout sessions, and even Virtual Trivia! 

In our first General Session “What's Next Following an Unprecedented Year for Minnesota Credit Unions,”  we were pleased to welcome the Honorable Rodney Hood, Chair of the National Credit Union Administration, who provided an update from our federal regulator. We also heard greetings from Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan; and our Minnesota US Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar. 
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Make sure to follow #MnCUN2020 on social media for updates and insights throughout the two-day the event. We’ll provide a full re-cap of the conference in next week’s Pulse. 

Minnesota Credit Unions are encouraged to continue financial support the Minnesota Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union® Awareness Initiative for 2021. The ongoing investment to boost consumer awareness is paying benefits in growth and knowledge of credit unions across the state.

Our recent, state-specific consumer research indicates that fifty-two percent of non-credit union members age 18-34-years-old are likely to consider joining a credit union. This percentage has increased significantly since 2017, when Minnesota Credit Unions initiated a statewide Consumer Awareness campaign targeting this age group. And familiarity of credit unions among all ages increased 10 points in the past 18 months alone. We are extremely pleased to see these results in a year with so many challenges. The 2020 Awareness Initiative has garnered over 42 million impressions as of the end of October.
 
As we enter 2021, we will continue to focus on reaching Minnesota young adults. The tactics include digital display ads and pre-roll video with audience targeting; social media ads on Facebook and Instagram targeting Minnesota consumers with financial interests; and Over-the-Top steaming video commercials (such as Netflix, Hulu, etc.).

Contributors to the campaign will have access to new branded marketing materials; plus preferred placement on YourMoneyFurther.com. We are excited to introduce a number of enhancements and new features coming next year for contributors,  like "audience sharing”, "join now” buttons, a credit union matcher, and more.

The recommended contributions are noted on the 2021 pledge form. Please send your credit union’s pledge to Andrea Molnau, VP Communications & Engagement at amolnau@mncun.org, by November 30, 2020.