A Fond Farewell

Shawn Marie Brummer reflects on her 24 years working with Dakota credit unions, a journey that has come full circle. 

Shawn Marie Brummer

by Shawn Marie Brummer, retired communications specialist

When I was hired by Midwest Corporate Federal Credit Union in 2000 as a member service consultant, I knew little about credit unions in general. Sure, I had been a member of one some years prior – but that was more a result of convenience of location than a belief system.

I remember putting the pieces of the puzzle together – what was the purpose of the North Dakota League, operating out of the same building, in relation to our financial work at corporate? Why did we have a board of directors that we all answered to, and why on earth did those pesky NCUA examiners show up year after year to scrutinize our records?

When our corporate was liquidated in 2011, victim of the financial crisis that began in 2008, I wondered what I would do next. However, before I had much time to weigh my options, Jeff Olson, who was chief advocacy officer at the league at the time, asked me to interview for a position overseeing their newsletter. For a few years, I had been doing some freelance writing for the Bismarck Tribune, and he (apparently) was a fan of my stories.

This worked out pretty well for all of us, except for one confusing moment when I was trying to text my husband, Jeff Brummer, to join me for some pulled pork for dinner, and inadvertently texted my boss, also named Jeff.
(We’ve had some laughs about that one over the years, trust me!)

Eventually, Olson was named CEO of the association, at about the same time my husband and I had decided to move back to our hometown of Brainerd, MN in 2016. In his infinite wisdom, he offered to allow me to work remotely – before this was a common option. So, that is how I ended up working from my home in Brainerd for the past eight years. It’s been a blessing for me and my family, and I hope, a blessing for the association as well.

We don’t always know for sure if we have made a real difference, so I decided to take the advice of our (now retired) CFO Karla Clark – and look at the numbers. What have I accomplished that can be measured?

• 11,967 = Memo stories written/posted
• 617 = Press releases/op-eds issued
• 88 = CEO Spotlight profiles
• 156 = CU Professionals Spotlight profiles

And finally, countless social media posts made, emails answered, meetings attended, photos taken, and enough good memories to last me to the end of days.

Tomorrow, Friday the 13th, is my final day at the association as I enter the retirement world. Thank you to the many people who have sent thoughtful messages over the years; your encouragement kept me going. I am leaving behind some very good friends, but you will never be forgotten.

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