Cooperative Principal No. 5: Education, Training & Information

For many of us, August is back-to-school month. Whether you have children or grandkids in school or you yourself are, we often spend this month prepping for the semester ahead. 

This month, let’s unpack the many ways your co-op supports education both within our internal team as well as for the communities we serve as we work to exceed your changing needs and expectations.

Cultivating Excellence 
Your cooperative is dedicated to educating our employee team. These men and women shape your cooperative and directly impact our future success. They’re truly our greatest asset and, as the old saying goes, an investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

We collaborate with statewide, regional, and national partners to access industry leading training and resources. Our employees routinely attend and lead workshops, seminars, and conferences to learn and network. When they return, they train fellow employees to share information. Receiving certifications and accreditations demonstrate our commitment to not only meet but exceed standards of excellence in our industry.  

Elevating Education in Our Communities
We recently sent three high school students to the Washington DC Youth Tour. You can read about their trip here. We also regularly send high school students, returning student ambassadors, and co-op employee counselors to the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs.

Our Empower Grant Program funds STEAM projects in schools. You can read about one recipient and what our support meant to their classroom here. 

Each year we offer $53,000 of scholarships to high school seniors who are continuing their education. At our Annual Meeting, we give away the $1,000 Luck-of-the-Draw Scholarship for one student who’s in attendance.

Safety is our cornerstone and we’re proud to provide important safety education for our community. Our tabletop demonstrations teach valuable lessons on how and why it’s essential to stay safe around electricity. 

There is undeniably already a wealth of knowledge here at your co-op. But if we are to continue to serve your needs now and into the future, it’s crucial we foster education for both our employees and the communities we serve. 

Jeff Wadsworth
President & CEO