Get Involved Today! The Governor's Office of Community Service is looking for passionate individuals to serve on the Montana Commission on Community Service! This non-partisan commission represents diverse community service interests and statewide leadership. Apply today or share this opportunity with others in your community! 

Upcoming Communities Collab: Next Thursday, the Advocacy Champions and CU Voices communities are collaborating on a call with Ann Petros, Vice President of Policy Engagement & Credit Union Operations for America's Credit Unions. During the call, we'll learn how to find and use "Don't Tax My Credit Union" campaign resources and the importance of your credit union's participation in the Member Activation Program. It's free to attend, but registration is required. See you on Thursday!

Channel Your Cheetah: You’ve spent years building the life everyone else expected of you. Does this sound like you? Now it’s time to build the confidence you deserve. Don’t miss this year’s Women’s Community Conference, March 18-19 at Fairmont Hot Spring Resort. Watch this short video ⬅️ from "Can-do-ologists" Denise Gabel and Isabella Meadows for a sample of what you can expect.

Registration ends on March 7, and the hotel room block expires on March 2.

Montana Legislative Update: This week at the Montana Legislative Session, Eddie Black from Vocal CU (pictured above) testified in opposition to SB 240, the "Equality in Financial Services Act," which aims to regulate service denials and social credit score discrimination for large banks and payment processors. The credit union community continues to work against this bill. Additionally, Montana's Credit Unions testified in support of SB 200, a bill that strengthens and modernizes cooperative laws by providing greater clarity and enhancing the rights of out-of-state cooperatives. We continue to monitor several bills in anticipation of them dropping soon. Contact Karen if you have any questions or concerns about bills in the Montana legislature.

CU Board Modernization Act Gains Senate Support: At the federal level, the Credit Union Board Modernization Act passed through the House and has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). This bill would allow well-run credit unions to reduce mandatory board meetings to six times annually, offering more flexibility and reducing regulatory burdens.

Nussle Defends Credit Unions' Tax Status: In a recent op-ed, America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Jim Nussle challenged bank lobbyists' claims and urged Congress to protect credit unions' tax status. Nussle highlighted the unique role of credit unions as financial cooperatives serving communities, not Wall Street, and warned that removing their tax exemption would harm consumers. 

Power Up and So Much More! Don’t miss your chance to celebrate Montana’s Credit Unions' 88th Annual Meeting on May 21-22 at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

Meet Oklahoma City bombing survivor Amy Downs, who was one of the last survivors to be pulled from the rubble following the bombing that killed 168 people — including 18 of her 33 co-workers at Federal Employees CU. Amy still works for the same credit union as the president and CEO.

Learn more about the great lineup of speakers and entertainment and check out our website for more information about all the events happening at Fairmont Hot Springs, including the two FREE half-day events on May 20.

What We're Reading, Watching, and Listening To

New WOCCU Podcast: Due to the U.S. freeze on all foreign aid, WOCCU has had to reduce staff both overseas and here in the U.S. In its latest podcast episode, WOCCU discusses how it's engaging with key U.S. credit union leaders and lawmakers to continue to demonstrate its value.

This Week's Blogs

A Direct Line: What shouldn't stay in Vegas? The great ideas discussed during the recent Roundtable meeting. Check out this week's A Direct Line for a few examples on keeping your board members informed.