Give Great Falls | April 26–May 2

We’re excited to share that Montana Cooperative Development Center will be participating in Give Great Falls again this year. This community-wide giving event is a chance to support local nonprofits doing work you care about. If you plan to participate, we’d be honored to be included.
If your community does a similar event, we would love to participate there as well. 

Meet the Board!

If you follow MCDC or MCOC on social media, you may have seen our series introducing our team and board members so that you can get to know us.

Meet Donya Parrish of Montana’s Credit Unions, and our newly elected MCDC Board President!

**Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you became involved with the Montana Cooperative Development Center?

I have been working with credit unions in Montana for 23 years and our organization has been involved with MCDC during that time. When a board seat came open a few years ago, I saw it as a chance to learn more about other cooperatives in our state and how credit unions fit into the bigger cooperative community.

**What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for cooperatives in Montana?

Cooperatives in Montana have an incredible opportunity to solve problems in our rural state, especially by working together and being nimble and creative. The challenge lies in funding and getting buy-in for all the amazing ideas that require time and funding that doesn’t always exist at the right time.

**How do you envision the future of cooperatives in Montana?

I see it as a mindset that when someone wants to do something to benefit a Montana community or stakeholder group, they think first “how could a cooperative be involved” and have the reputation of the work MCDC does and the benefits to so many from the cooperative model that it just stays top of mind.

**What do you enjoy most about being part of the Montana Cooperative Development Center?

It is fun to learn more about all the co-op segments in Montana and all the various projects and outreach that is occurring at any given time. I also enjoy the relationships with other co-ops and helping them learn more about the role of the credit unions in their footprint.

**Can you share a fun fact about yourself that people might not know?

In November 2016, I earned my Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) certification. It was a week with a deep dive of learning to better understand how the cooperative approach helps overcome issues through cooperative principles and collaboration.

Thank you, Donya! We appreciate you. 

Stay tuned for new introductions from team and board members each month

or check them out on our Facebook and Instagram.