The SHE Awards, presented in October, recognize the many contributions of outstanding women in this area who quietly go about making a difference in the world around them.
SHE Awards are an acronym for “Sincere — Honor — Ethical” or “Strength — Humility — Empowerment.”
Empowering SHE
Earning the Empowering SHE award for a business that actively supports females in the workplace was Dakotaland Federal Credit Union.
DFCU has been in existence since 1935 — and from it’s onset, the organization has hosted a strong female presence on the management team and throughout the workforce. In addition, Dakotaland currently has several successful business women serving on both the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Committee. These individuals give direction and oversite to the operation and future of the Credit Union.
Finally, as Dakotaland continues to expand and grow to better serve our those in our rural community charter, which includes 27 east north central South Dakota counties, the opportunities the Credit Union has made available to it’s current female staff will inevitably extend to those still to join them.
Dakotaland employs 71 women in Huron and all its branches within 45 miles.
There are talented women throughout the organization, starting on their executive team (Vice Presidents of Operations, Marketing, Human Resources, Consumer Lending, Real Estate Lending, and Teller Services) as well as many that are at different management levels, loan officer positions, and leaders throughout. They have many female staff who have been “brought up through the ranks,” starting as tellers and now managers and VP’s.
Dakotaland is a big proponent of its employees attending both internal and external trainings. Many have been to programs fully paid for by Dakotaland put on in Huron by the Chamber or other entities, as well as attending throughout the state of South Dakota and nation. Also, their organization strives to see the staff develop themselves by furthering their education. Upon completion of higher education courses with a proven benefit to their position, Dakotaland reimburses a portion of tuition for the staff members.
Dakotaland’s HR department has taken an active role in mentoring employees that have gone from peer to superior. Also, at Dakotaland they created a 10-week Leadership Dakotaland program where they use principles from John C Maxewell, as well as other sources they have researched and also created. Of the attendees to this program 75 percent were women.
Many of these examples are female employees in the positions of branch managers, department supervisors, or emerging leaders amongst their peers. Finally, they have established a Lenders Development Program to engage the employees in its consumer lending department to provide the best service possible to members and expand professional skills in the workplace. Their entire consumer lending department in Huron is female.
To learn more read individual articles about the SHE Award recipients on the Plainsman community page — Plainsman.com/community
