The Cooperative Relations team has responsibility for a wide range of areas, including professional development programs for employees and directors, youth activities, marketing initiatives – and other services which affect Statewide members, such as electric safety education for consumers and targeted communication/education campaigns.
Staff develops training opportunities for co-op employees and directors who are striving for professional excellence and who have a strong desire to reach their fullest potential. A unique slate of customized training programs is also available for all levels of co-op staff which can be delivered on-site with varying course lengths.
Cooperative Relations staff offers support for the eight professional sections, providing opportunities for employee peer groups to gather and learn about new technologies, catch up on the latest employment laws, or to exchange best practice tips.
Education for consumers is a cornerstone of the rural electric cooperative principles. Cooperative Relations staff frequently offers timely topics and materials that Statewide member systems can utilize to educate consumers through local publications, bill stuffers, or the Electric Consumer publication. Check out the online resource library for programs such as Co-op Month, Youth Tour to Washington, DC, Touchstone Energy® Camp, Plug in to Safety, Careers in Energy Week, and more.
A variety of youth activities are coordinated by Cooperative Relations employees:
- Indiana Youth Tour to Washington, DC
- Touchstone Energy® Camp
In addition, Cooperative Relations supports various youth organizations through sponsorships and in-kind donations: Indiana 4-H Foundation, Indiana 4-H Electric, FFA, and Indiana Young Farmer’s Association, among others.
Special Projects
The Indiana Electric Cooperative Blue Ribbon Baskets Auction has raised nearly $50,000 over the past six years for the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana. The event is held annually in conjunction with the Statewide annual meeting in Indianapolis.
Hoosiers Power the World is a volunteer effort for electric co-op line workers interested in helping to bring power to remote areas of Guatemala.