WEEKLY UPDATE FROM MONTANA'S CREDIT UNIONS | May 29, 2026 | | |
Happy Friday! If there's one thing we've learned on social media this week, it's that graduations are popping up faster than dandelions in the lawn. 🎓>🌻Over the last few weeks, you may have found yourself wondering what to get ALL of the graduates in your life. As it turns out, we're not just here to provide you with upcoming educational opportunities, informative reads, and resources from our partners, but we're also here to supply you with gift-giving ideas:
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Ginormous water bottles that also fit inside a cup holder are recommended by The New York Times
- Custom gift baskets top this Raise Right list
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Forbes has compiled a rather practical list that includes a carry-on, digital camera, and a laptop
- And if you're not in the mood for practicality, check out this list from ELLE Decor
Do you have other great ideas? Let us know!
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Recognizing Elder Abuse Awareness Month: In June, we'll be recognizing Elder Abuse Awareness Month with an emphasis on preventing elder financial abuse and exploitation. Our partners at the American Association of Credit Union Leagues have compiled a toolkit for credit unions to use — for free. This toolkit contains in-branch signage, newsletter articles, social media graphics, and more. All you have to do is access the materials and share them with your teams and members during June. It's going to take a movement to stop this form of exploitation, and credit unions are just the ones to do it.
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Step Into Something Bigger at the Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference! This is more than just another event; it brings emerging leaders and experienced professionals together to exchange ideas, inspire fresh thinking, and grow together.
Registration is now open for the third annual Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference. Join us in Bloomington, MN, on August 4–5! Expect engaging conversations, practical takeaways, and meaningful connections that continue long after the conference ends.
If you’re ready to lead with more confidence, clarity, and purpose — review the agenda, talk with your supervisor, and secure your spot with early bird pricing before June 15!
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Stories Are Better When They're Shared: Mark your calendars for the annual #ILoveMyCreditUnion Day on July 31. This social media blitz (now celebrating its 6th year) celebrates the financial institutions we all love across social media channels for one special day. It's "cooperation among cooperatives" to showcase the seven other cooperative principles and to tell the story of the credit union difference. In short, it's a magical day that you won't want to miss. The Illinois Credit Union League continues to make this campaign fun and easy each year. Here's how to start planning:
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Watch the introductory video
- Check out the slew of graphics, posters, talking points, Zoom backgrounds, and more on the tools page.
- Encourage your teams, members, and local lawmakers to engage in the campaign by posting their reasons for loving their credit union on July 31
We hope you join us for this impactful day of storytelling!
| | | Elevate Your Credit Union’s Contact Center: Registration is now open for the 2026 International Credit Union Contact Center Conference (ICUCCC), taking place October 19–20 at Park MGM in Las Vegas. Designed specifically for credit union contact center professionals, ICUCCC delivers practical strategies, industry insights, and opportunities to connect with peers facing similar challenges. Attendees can also take advantage of the Contact Center Manager Certification and Recertification opportunities. Early Bird pricing is available through August 1. | | | |
Last Week's Blogs... Just When You Thought We Had Forgotten
A Direct Line: Being a board member is like having a baby. Stay with us here. You may think the difficult part is giving birth or getting elected, but really, that's where the hard (but rewarding) work actually begins. Last week's blog offered five tips to quickly adapt to your new role as a board member. If you went the other way with this and just had a baby, congratulations! But that's advice for another blog.
Personal Finance Blog: Buying a home is... kind of a big deal. From keeping up your credit score to budgeting for the other expenses of homeownership, it can feel like buying a home is a full-time job. But if it was, you wouldn't be able to afford a home. Sigh. Luckily, you know two important things:
- Credit unions are the best financial partner in the homebuying process and beyond
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Last week's personal finance blog provided a beginner's guide to homeownership — perfect to share with your members
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This Week's Blogs
A Direct Line: Volunteer board and supervisory committee members are the heart of credit unions. That's worth celebrating! And we did last week during last week's Power Up. Con Malee, board member at Southwest Montana Community FCU, received the Mitch Reed Volunteer of the Year award, a much-deserved recognition of his commitment, collaboration, and compassion. Grab a box of tissues, then read all about it in this week's blog.
Personal Finance Blog: One of the few drawbacks of a three-day weekend is when it starts feeling like you should make your days off more permanent. If retirement is starting to feel like a really good idea, you're going to want to check out this week's personal blog. It provides some guidelines and advice to really set the planning into motion. Did you know that we have 73 blogs just on retirement and financial planning? We do.
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Save the Dates for Future Important Events
We've compiled a list of events happening next week so you don't have to.
| | | Looking (A Bit Farther) Ahead | | | |
Save the dates (MCU events are in blue)...

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Celebrate Youth Month Every Month: The newest young professional blog has been published. It highlights the importance of supporting your young members not just during Credit Union Youth Month, but all year long.
Check out this blog from Billings FCU's Ally Songstad, as well as other leadership blogs from this outstanding committee of young professionals.
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Strengthen Your Card Strategy with Envisant:
Looking to strengthen your card programs and increase member engagement? Envisant partners with nearly 2,000 credit unions nationwide to deliver innovative credit, debit, prepaid, ATM, and portfolio development solutions designed specifically for credit unions.
Discover overlooked opportunities and untapped offerings in this recent article from The CU Daily: What’s in the Cards?
| | | Webinars for Everyone on your Team: Learn from the comfort of your own office from these webinar partners. Click on each to view a list of upcoming webinars. | | | THE CREDIT UNION DIFFERENCE | | |
Grasslands FCU worked with the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund to donate over $51,000 to the MSU Extension-McCone County!
The McCone County 4-H Council and McCone County Fair Board are actively working to rebuild a cherished community building lost in a devastating fire in early 2025. The planned facility will serve the community not only during the August fair and 4-H events, but also year-round for educational workshops, family gatherings, community organization meetings, weddings, and class reunions.
What an impactful #CUDifference for the community!
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