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A Week at Montana’s Credit Unions
During last week's Coffee Talk — our Monday morning touchpoint where we share what’s ahead — I listened as our team walked through the meetings, projects, and priorities on their calendars. When the call wrapped up, I found myself smiling. Not because the week ahead was light, but because it so clearly reflected who we are and how we serve. What you’ll read below is not extraordinary for us — it’s a typical week in service to Montana’s credit unions.
And that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.
Karen’s week exemplified leadership and advocacy in action. She facilitated a call with the state charter enhancement committee, bringing best practices from across the country through our partners at America’s Credit Unions and the American Association of Credit Union Leagues. Those national insights help ensure Montana’s charter remains strong, relevant, and responsive. Karen then traveled to Great Falls to support a legislative event with 15 state candidates — building understanding, relationships, and trust that benefit credit unions long after the event concludes. Midweek, she led a call with our state advocacy champions, continuing the momentum that keeps credit unions’ voices heard at the Capitol. Throughout it all, Karen also focused on advocacy strategy, MCUCD planning, and the messaging and tools surrounding our proposed dues changes — work that requires both expertise and a long-term commitment to the health of Montana’s credit unions.
Donya spent much of the week on the road, meeting directly with credit unions in the Billings area and across eastern Montana. Those face-to-face conversations matter. They build relationships, surface challenges early, and ensure our support is grounded in real-world needs. In addition to attending a conference and meeting with our valued partner, Associated Employers, Donya facilitated the EDGE (Enhancing the Development, Growth, and Empowerment) Conference for our smaller credit unions. EDGE is all about practical tools, candid dialogue, and peer connection. Donya’s passion for empowering leaders was evident throughout. Even with a full travel schedule, she remained responsive to credit union questions and delivered the Compliance Vault — providing timely, trusted guidance when it’s needed most.
Our Education Team was in full stride last week, and their discipline and attention to detail never cease to impress me. Ranel and Renee continued intensive planning for multiple major events coming up this spring, including Power Up next month. The logistics, coordination, and foresight required to execute these events seamlessly are remarkable — and they do it while never losing sight of the participant’s experience. Ranel also led conversations with education partners through our Tristate Collaborative with Minnesota and Wisconsin, ensuring our programs are relevant, innovative, and aligned with credit union needs. She met with prospective VIP business partners to evaluate their value propositions and intentionally included feedback from one of our credit unions — keeping your voice at the center of every decision.
Michelle, our communications and public relations leader, had a full and impactful week, too. She continues to curate, write, and publish financial well-being content for Montana consumers — work that directly supports our credit unions’ mission of people helping people. With April being both Financial Literacy Month and Credit Union Youth Month, her creativity and focus were on full display. Michelle also led the development of a comprehensive suite of materials to support our dues and bylaws recommendations, ensuring credit unions have clear, transparent information as we head toward the annual business meeting at Power Up. On top of it all, she produces our weekly President’s Report — an essential and substantial effort that keeps everyone informed and connected.
Beth focused on our upcoming annual engagement survey, set to launch in just a few weeks. This survey is a key listening tool, allowing Montana’s credit unions to share feedback, highlight priorities, and help us measure how effectively we’re serving you. It also helps us understand engagement across our programs and initiatives so we can continuously improve. At the same time, Beth supported the team with various technology challenges and opportunities — bringing her steady hand and problem-solving skills to everything she touches.
Mara dedicated her efforts to supporting credit unions through our Health Benefits Trust — a critical offering for many of you. She worked closely with credit unions, participated in evaluation meetings for potential third-party administrators, interviewed candidates for future Trust roles, and prepared for an upcoming strategy session with our Trustees. Along the way, she continued monitoring claims and supporting the league’s human resources needs. Mara’s work reflects both precision and care, ensuring stability and sustainability in a complex and vital space.
Dawn continued to grow into her accounting role, bringing immediate value just a couple of months into her tenure. She also spent two days participating in the Personify Leadership program alongside leaders from Park Side Credit Union. Investing in leadership — both within our team and across credit unions — strengthens our entire movement. Thank you, Maureen, for welcoming Dawn into that experience.
As for me, I met with leaders from the Montana State University Extension Office to explore opportunities for financial education, leadership development, and internships for student leaders across the state — opening new pathways between education and our credit unions. I also spent time with credit union leaders in Billings, discussing our proposed dues and bylaws changes and, more importantly, listening. Those conversations — being in the room, hearing your perspectives — are one of my favorite parts of this role. I wrapped up the week by joining Donya at the EDGE Conference, where a tight-knit group of CEOs and leaders engaged deeply, challenged one another, and shared insights about thriving in their communities and advancing the financial well-being of their members and employees.
When I look at this week as a whole, what stands out most isn’t just how busy we were — it’s how aligned we were. Every conversation, every meeting, every mile traveled was rooted in service to Montana’s credit unions. This team brings commitment, expertise, and heart to the work every single day, and they do it together — collaborating across roles to ensure you’re supported, informed, and positioned to succeed.
That’s who we are. That’s how we serve. And that’s the work we’re proud to do — week in and week out — for Montana’s credit unions and the members who rely on you. Have a great weekend.
Cooperatively, Gerry
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