About Jo Anne

Humor me, this is ancient history.
Way back in 1980, I became a Minnehaha County Employee and one of the exciting benefits was the privilege to join Sioux Empire Federal Credit union…a SEG (Select Employee Group) chartered Credit Union. During orientation, the County HR manager strongly recommended that ALL County employees become Credit Union members. (The word on the street, back then, was that she had a baseball bat near her desk for those who resisted becoming members.) I can honestly say that the HR manager gave Very Good Advice! Fast forward a few years…. I married a guy that had been a member since the “Closet in City Hall” days. He received good advice years earlier when he became a City of Sioux Falls employee.

Spring of 2007, I was asked if I might have any interest in becoming a volunteer board member. At the time I had no idea what skillset I might possibly have that would make me a value to the Credit Union. I did research into the history of Credit Unions, the not-for-profit financial cooperative model, talked with several member/board members and decided that my volunteering would be a great way to give back to my Credit Union, my co-workers, and the community. In June of 2007 I was elected to the board at our annual meeting/picnic.

I can say now…it was a win-win decision. I have always felt that I’ve received way more in education than I’ve ever given to the position. Throughout the years of being a board member I can confidently say that the financial education I’ve gained by reading and following Credit Union publications, financial information, credit union industry trends, etc. has had a tremendous and positive impact on my life. Back in 1980, I was living paycheck-to paycheck……In 2024, I owe many of my successes to my connection with Bluestone FCU. There have been many advances and changes in the industry and in our Credit Union…. but the basic “people helping people” philosophy still holds true.

Q: When did you join the Board?

    A: Annual Credit Union Meeting/Picnic-June 2007

Q: Why did you want to volunteer your time for service to the Bluestone FCU’s Board?

    A: After researching the History of Credit Union’s…. I decided to volunteer as a way to give back to my Credit Union, to help my co-workers, and community. Little did I know then that I’d be helping myself even more.

Q: What do you fill your time with outside of the Bluestone FCU’s Board Room?

    A: We enjoy spending time at our remote cabin west of Crazy Horse in the Hills. I also enjoy the ongoing learning and reading of many things in the credit union/financial world. Reagan (our Kerry Blue Terrier and Kipp (our Papillon) believe all free time should be spent throwing their squeaker sticks. LOL.