Of all the qualities we love about our members, the sense of community we feel ties us to our membership, but in the case of Bonnie Locken, it brought her to work for Dakota West.
Nearly thirty years ago, after losing her husband, the credit union reached out to her knowing she and her small children needed a financial boost to her part-time job. It was more than keeping her safe and secure, she recalls, "They wanted the kids to stay." The humor she uses to describe her first job at Dakota West continues to be a part of her welcoming smile and personality as the Regional Operations Manager at our Mohall location.
Born and raised in North Dakota, she always wanted to study interior design, but went to school to be a dental assistant. In the end, her creative touches can be felt in the branch and in the community that welcomed her. She sews, she restores furniture, and she designs and sells her own creations of purses and handbags.
Helping those who helped her brings her joy in the ways she can help our members. Bonnie recalls helping someone in her community who came to the branch in tears, worried about the family's debt, whom she helped get a small personal loan. "It made me feel amazing, watching the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders."
Bonnie celebrates her birthday this month among the friends and community that opened its arms to her, and calls her one of their own even today. If you stop into our Mohall branch this month, be sure to wish her best wishes - it's what she wishes for all of the people in Mohall who opened their arms to her and kept her close to their town and their hearts.
Get Help Getting Started Online
QUESTION: How many Dakota West members utilize online or mobile account services?
ANSWER: That’s a trick question – everyone has access to their accounts electronically, but you may not know all the features available to you. If you think online services aren’t your cup of tea, or you only use one or two features, we designed our new Online Access Resource Center to guide you through all our features you’d like to use, or get started using.
Starting today, you can learn about every feature of our online services, from logging on, to updating your address, to reviewing your statements. Our app is designed to give you access to your accounts all day every day, even outside of our branch hours. Our Online Access Resource Center provides answers and information when you need them.
All of these features are available directly to you, and you can use the Online Access Resource Center to get instructions, tips, and quick-reference guides to walk you through each service.
If you’d like a hand getting started using our online or mobile services, click here to access the site. Once you log in, you can look for the Help & User Guides link within the Settings to be taken directly to the Online Access Resource Center. And if you’d still like a little personal help online, we have a special team of Online Access Resource Team Members, but you know us better as Dakota West employees. Let us help you get started online.
Here to Serve, Here to Help: A Message From Our CEO
Since 1941 we’ve been here to serve the hard-working residents of western North Dakota and help you through the tough times, as well as the good. As we begin on our way to the new normal, I want to thank you for your understanding, patience and support over the last two months. Your willingness to accept the disruption of more traditional business practices and be responsible in regard to necessary safety measures is greatly appreciated.
The reality is that for many of us the disruption to our lives goes much deeper than just changing physical and social practices. There has been severe financial impact as well – creating insecurity and concern. If that’s the case I want to encourage you to reach out to us for advice and help. No two situations are the same, and we’re committed to provide you with personalized solutions, guidance and reassurance. Our team of exceptional employees is dedicated to working with you to navigate through this pandemic crisis and into recovery, no matter how long it takes.
Later this month, we plan to once again open our lobbies for business under the following guidelines:
Please avoid entering the facility if you have a cough or fever
Maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another
Sneeze and cough into your elbow
Do not shake hands or engage in any unnecessary physical contact
We encourage the use of cloth face coverings, but may ask you to step back and temporarily remove the mask for identification purposes
We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support of Dakota West Credit Union and look forward to seeing you in person once again.
Jeff Meyer, our Chief Executive Officer, is our first special guest News & Events contributor. We thank him for his leadership, his support of our staff, and his focus on our membership during the past few months. Jeff will celebrate his 5th anniversary with Dakota West Credit Union on Monday, May 11, 2020.
