In Advocacy, Storytelling Matters

Becky Brown’s Experience at the Governmental Affairs Conference

There’s nothing we love more than seeing our employees grow and develop. Enough so that we’re willing to put resources behind it. A perfect example is our annual Duane Ellingson Memorial Scholarship. During his 14-year tenure as President of BHFCU, Ellingson was a visionary leader and advocate for credit unions, guided by a belief in caring for all people. To honor his memory, we established a memorial scholarship awarded to an employee who demonstrates leadership, a passion for learning, and is dedicated to the credit union movement. 

The worthy recipient of the 2025 scholarship was Becky Brown, Member Experience Consultant III. Becky selected the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference. Hear from her about her experience.

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The “people helping people” spirit made a lasting impression on me at a young age. Growing up in a credit union family taught me that service and advocacy are more than ideals; they guide our actions.  It was that connection and a desire to deepen my commitment to advocating for members that led me to apply for the Duane Ellingson Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship felt like a rare chance to step out of my daily role, meet new people, experience new perspectives, and witness the bigger picture of the credit union’s impact.
 
I chose the Governmental Affairs Conference to soak up fresh ideas from credit union advocates across the country and to learn how industry leaders turn passion into practice. I expected to hear from knowledgeable and entertaining keynote speakers. But I was most excited about the Hike the Hill visits to meet with our state representatives. Seeing our President and Executive Leadership in action opened my eyes to the quiet, relentless advocacy they do behind the scenes to advance, empower, and protect credit unions and members. I learned quickly that when you tell a story with heart, lawmakers listen.

The most powerful lesson I took home was simple: when advocating, stories matter. Sharing a member’s experience, direct, honest, and human, moves people more than statistics ever will. Compassionate advocacy often means having tough conversations; directness, when paired with respect, is more humane than avoidance.

I returned to the office energized with a renewed commitment to people first leadership. The scholarship didn’t just broaden my perspective; it reignited my passion for service and equipped me with new tools to turn everyday interactions into meaningful advocacy and measurable impact. It reminded me that our work is bigger than transactions or tasks. It’s about showing up for people, elevating their stories, and ensuring their voices are heard.