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.
Dakota West Celebrates National Day Of Giving
(WATFORD CITY, ND, 25 November 2019) – Dakota West is partnering with organizations throughout western North Dakota to bring this year’s National Day of Giving to its communities. Reaching out to the its members through its branches, Dakota West wants to impact a wide range of organizations as part of GivingTuesday 2019.
“Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GivingTuesday is the best way to celebrate the season of giving, or in this case, giving back,” Juliet Jones, Marketing Coordinator said of Dakota West’s involvement in the social-media driven event. “We’ll be featuring all of the organizations we are supporting on our Facebook page leading up to GivingTuesday.
“We value the trust our communities place in us, and we are committed to the success of our neighbors and the members we serve. We encourage not just our members, but everyone in our region, to join us in making a difference for others this Christmas season.”
According to the givingtuesday.org website, GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities on December 3, 2019, and every day.
Dakota West’s Grenora branch will be partnering with the Future Business Leaders of America in accepting canned goods on Tuesday, December 3.
In Bowman, Dakota West’s Bowman branch will be calling attention to the annual Giving Tree supporting Bowman and Slope Counties. Bowman County Social Services coordinates the contributions to those needing assistance throughout the region, including Amidon, Rhame, Bowman, and Scranton.
In New England, Dakota West’s branch is supporting two causes: raising funds to support students in need at New England Public Schools, and accepting donations for the community food bank. Both financial contributions and non-perishable food will be accepted.
Dakota West’s Mohall branch will be supporting the efforts of the Family Career Community Leaders of America in Renville County to bring Christmas to the children throughout the community.
In New Town, North Dakota, students at Edwin Low Elementary School will receive additional support from Dakota West this GivingTuesday.
Students at the Turtle Lake-Mercer School will also receive a helping hand from Dakota West’s Turtle Lake branch.
The McLean Family Resource Center in Washburn, North Dakota operates a Clothing Outlet, but also accepts donations of food to assist the organization.
In addition to the annual Giving Tree, Dakota West’s Watford City branch will be providing financial support to McKenzie County Social Services and is reaching out to the Watford City and neighboring communities to support those in need through financial donations on Giving Tuesday.
Dakota West expresses its gratitude to the all the members who join in GivingTuesday. Members of Dakota West branches, as well as the public, are encouraged to learn more about all the efforts throughout western North Dakota by looking for the GivingTuesday hashtag, #GivingTuesday, or visit the Dakota West Facebook page to find ways to contribute in its eight branch communities.
Dakota West thanks its members who belong to the non-profit credit union headquartered in Watford City, North Dakota and who help make a difference in our communities. Established in 1941, each of its branches and its members and employees help grow the Dakota West family with exceptional commitment to building relationships and strengthening communities.
Meet Melissa Hagen
Listening to Melissa Hagen discuss the people of Mohall, whether her fellow staff or others within her community, explains why she has spent the last decade serving the people of Renville County. Originally referred by a Dakota West employee when there was a branch opening for a part time Member Service Representative, Melissa is now a seasoned loan officer and embraces her career.
“I encourage them and lift them up,” she says of those she serves. “I know the birthdays of our members and when their loved ones are ill. I’ve brought them lunches out in the field. Anywhere I go I’m always working. I can’t go to the store in my sweats.”
Melissa builds trusting relationships with our members and our staff in the small community of Mohall. She admits her coworkers at Dakota West know her better than some of her extended family. “They are my emergency contacts. I spend fifty hours a week with them. They encourage me and have seen me grow.”
Growing doesn’t begin to describe the changes Melissa has seen over her past decade with Dakota West. “When I first started, corn prices were unreal. I have seen where people have had to start thinking about their everyday lives and be accountable for their decisions.” Dakota West values the commitment our members make with us, and Melissa exemplifies that process in the communication she shares with our members.
“Conversations about loans can be turned into a learning experience. I want our members to know what they are getting into. We discuss whether a purchase is a want or a need and why they are asking for it. I like to have the conversation. We are dealing with large numbers on big farms.”
During her time with Dakota West, Melissa has also gotten to see her own family grow. With two little ones, ages two and four, she is living her example of keeping each day family focused and enjoys community activities together. She even plants the idea of savings with her oldest. “Pennies go to work with Mommy.”
Melissa clearly values the relationships that she has grown from the loans she services. Members who are considering a new loan, whether for the farm, for a new vehicle, your business, or to take the steps to home ownership, can find the values Melissa and all our loan officer share at one of our eight branches throughout western North Dakota.
Meet Kim Eriksmoen
Kim joined the team in our northern-most branch in 2013, but she’s just recently become a resident of Mohall. She and her family reside on a 10-acre farm in Renville County, where they are busy adding a deck to enjoy the long summer days.
“I like being outside – mowing, yardwork.” When winter sets in she finds she spends more time with friends, including playing pinochle. She’s also preparing to send her son to college next month, so she is helping him prepare for his first taste of life on his own. She says she’ll still attend some of the sporting events during the school year, even if he isn’t one of the competitors. For the summer, at least, they are still enjoying his last year of Legion Baseball games.
Kim makes up one fourth of the core team in our Mohall Branch, working as a Member Services Representative. She admits, her favorite part of the job is working with the members. “The people. The members. Seeing them. The ‘Good mornings,’ and ‘How are yous’ and the smiles. That’s what I enjoy.” She also credits her three coworkers, too. “We work well together.”
Kim also co-authored our newsletter article about preparing for her son to head to college. See the steps she is taking to help him be successful away from home. If you want to visit her in person when you are traveling to Lake Metigoshe or the Bottineau region, Kim and the staff in Mohall are glad to provide service to any of our members. Be sure to ask her about her dog, Macy, too.
