Thanks for your interest in the SD YCUP Legislative Experience. However due to low attendance we are canceling the YCUP part of the event. Everything else in regards to the social is still on. Sorry that we aren’t able to make it work. We are working on solution of overcoming the obstacle in the future. .
2009 Legisltavie Experience
Future of Credit Unions and its Leaders
Eventually our CEOs will retire, our board members resign, and our lobbyists exit. When this happens, where will we be, where will our credit unions be, and where will the credit union industry be as a whole?
These are questions that should be running through all of our minds. The future of credit unions is not in our hands but in the hands of today’s young professionals who hopefully will turn out to be tomorrow’s credit union leaders. But we can’t expect them to get there without any help. After all, no one who’s made it in this world has done so by his own means—we’ve had coaches, mentors, and workshops challenging us to improve ourselves and our industry.
The Young Credit Union Professionals (YCUP) Network strives to do just that—with opportunities such as the Legislative Experience, which was held in both North and South Dakota in conjunction with the Legislative Socials. Here, our young professionals had the opportunity to network, become involved in the legislative process, and support the credit union industry.
“It’s important for young professionals to be involved because we are the future and there’s no better time than now to get involved. This event was eye-opening—showing us that we need to be involved,” said Tiffany Knuppe, Highmark Federal Credit Union.
Being united, especially in terms of legislation, is crucial to our industry and we need all the help we can get.
“I feel that the future of the credit union movement is relying on our voices and actions.The Legislative Experience was an outstandingopportunity forme and for othersto see the importance of our work andhow it affects the whole state.Every young credit union professional should attend,” said Melissa Yackley, Capital Credit Union.
The YCUP Network will continue to hold the Legislative Experience in conjunction with each states Legislative Socials (annually in South Dakota and biannually in North Dakota. We encourage everyone to invest in the future of their credit union by empowering and investing in their young professionals.
North Dakota Quotes:
“Young professionals are our future. It is important to get them involved early and keep them involved,” said Kelly Duchsherer, Affinity First Federal Credit Union.
“It was beneficial to see how accessible our legislators are at the state level.The YCUP Legislative session was agreat experience,” said Alice Kessler, Postal Family Federal Credit Union.
“The event was a nice way to be a part of the credit union business that would not have normally been accessible to so many of our staff.Being able to see/visit with our legislators and view the passing of bills was a very unique experience,” said Heather Fleck, Railway Credit Union. “Our young professionals are our future and if they don’t see and understand the vital role legislation plays in the credit union movement, neither will the legislators.This, in turn, will create a downward spiral for the credit unions as a whole.”
“It was incredibly interesting to focus on my generation and our involvement and impact on the credit union movement,” said Lacy Johnson, University Federal Credit Union. “It is so important for young professionals to be involved because we are the catalyst for change in our credit unions.”
“I thought the whole event was very informative, especially the sessions we had regarding younger generations in credit unions,” said Brad Pederson, Town & Country Credit Union.
“I think it is very important for young professionals in credit unions to be a part of this experience, since they will be the voices heard in the future. Supervisors need to recognize this, and encourage their staff to get involved and attend,” said Mandi Lembcke, Town & Country Credit Union. “I highly encourage all young professionals who are planning to be a part of the credit union movement to get involved now.The awareness of credit union legislation can only be an asset to you in your future within credit unions.”
from back to front, left to right
Ryan Welder, Capital CU, Missy Van Wechel, Fargo VA FCU, Katie Petersen, Dakota Plains CU, Britni Schwartz, Mid-America Credit Union Association, Alice Kessler, Postal Family FCU, Brad Pederson, Town & County CU, Amy Ricker, Railway CU, Amber Kemmet, Railway CU, Roxanne Mullenberg, Postal Family FCU, Lacey Johnson, University FCU, Melissa Yackley, Capital CU, Kelly Schmidt, Dakota Plains CU, Cindy Griffin, Mid-America Credit Union Association, Kelly Duchsherer, Affinity First FCU, Jennifer Gardner, Affinity First FCU, Cathy Job, Genie-Watt Credit Union, Heather Fleck, Railway CU, Mandi Lembcke, Town & Country CU.
South Dakota Quotes:
“The Legislative Experience was great because we got the opportunity to see the legislators in action.We also received pointers on what to say if we ever have the opportunity to meet with a legislator.Young professionals, I believe, sometimes feel intimidated because they think they are ‘too young’ or ‘don’t have enough experience’ and that’s just not true,” said Kelli Freeman, Northern Hills Federal Credit Union.
“I find it amazing at how much of an influence each credit union individual can make.When visiting in the Open Forum, I was pleased to hear others had the same concerns as me, and the same values, etc. It almost seems as if being an employee or advocate for a credit union, makes you a ‘family member’ with all other credit unions out there,” says Tenise Chapman, Black Hills Federal Credit Union. “One thing I remember is running into an acquaintance I know from Pierre, SD, and she asked what I was doing in town. I said ‘I’m here for the Young Credit Union Professional Legislative Day.’ She commented on how awesome it is that I’m involved in something like this and how it will benefit not only me, in my future, but the future of credit unions. What truth that is!”
“It was wonderful to meet the other members of the YCUP Network fromSouth Dakota and share our ideas. I made some great connections and I am excited for next year,” said Gretchen Larson, Sioux Falls Federal Credit Union.
from back to front, left to right
Courtney Bruch, Northern Hills FCU, Kathryn Fauss, Highmark FCU, Tiffany Knuppe, Highmark FCU, Cindy Griffin, Mid-America Credit Union Association, Teresa Rehborg, Black Hills FCU, Kellie Freeman, Northern Hills FCU, Becky Weaver, Black Hills FCU, Gretchen Larson, Sioux Falls FCU, Melissa Montgomery, Britni Schwartz, Mid-America Credit Union Association, Randy VanDeVendel, Sioux Falls FCU, Jenn Cottrill, Black Hills FCU, Connie Price, Black Hills FCU, Tenise Chapman, Black Hills FCU.