Learn About the Co-op Connections Program Right From Your PC!

Web conference to provide guidance on Co-op Connections

Touchstone Energy invites you to attend a July 14 Web conference to learn how to implement the Co-op Connections program at your co-op. Co-op Connections is a member benefits card designed to increase loyalty across a co-op's entire membership.

The conference, which runs from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (EDT), is free to Touchstone Energy cooperatives. Co-op staff responsible for reinforcing the value of cooperative membership, building member loyalty and helping local businesses are encouraged to register for this informative, one-hour Web conference.

This Web conference will:
* Identify implementation steps involved in rolling out Co-op Connections
* Offer tips on recruiting businesses
* Help you communicate to your members how the program works
* Provide instructions on accessing implementation resources online  

The Web conference panel includes:
* Charlie Gloeckner, Touchstone Energy
* Char Kinzer, Crow Wing Power, Brainerd, Minn.
* Denise Adams, Clark County REMC, Sellersburg, Ind.
* Jerry McDonald, East Kentucky Power Co-op, Winchester, Ky.

It is recommended that you register for this Web conference in advance to ensure you will be able to connect quickly and successfully at start time. Registering now will save time and facilitate quick entry at the start of the Web conference. Click on the link below to register and/or join the Web conference at the designated start time:
http://invite.mshow.com/findshow.aspx?usertype=0&cobrand=100&shownumber=175556

Date and time: Jul-14-2004 03:00 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Show number: 175556
Audio Conference Number(s): Call: 1-877-356-5725.
The conference code is: 8573321

For registration or log-in questions, contact Johnna Blair at 703.907.5651 or johnna.blair@nreca.coop.

Boot Camp to Help Co-ops Boost Economic Development

Thousands of communities compete every year to attract companies, facilities and building projects. Touchstone Energy and NRECA have partnered with Lockwood Greene-the world's largest site-selection consulting firm-to help cooperatives respond to real estate requests from business customers and make co-op service areas ideal locations for new business expansions.

To effectively respond to requests for information (RFI) and requests for proposals (RFP) from corporate real estate and site selection, the Lockwood Greene "learn by doing" program helps get cooperative communities' proposals noticed. This training program will coach co-op staff on ways to improve their site selection RFI responses, giving cooperatives the inside track on the site selection process.

The boot camp steps are simple:
1. Contact your co-op's NRECA regional manager:
-Western Regional Manager Dave Harper, 303.635.2420 or dave.harper@nreca.coop
-Midwest Regional Manager Tim Sullivan, 651.686.7477 or tim.sullivan@nreca.coop
-Southern Regional Manager Pete Schmutz, 919.562.1444 or pete.schmutz@nreca.coop

2. Recruit regional and local economic development partners to join in the training.

3. Choose a type of company for your evaluation that best fits your community's needs. These include, among others:
-Manufacturing
-Agriculture/Food Processing
-R&D/Headquarters
-Distribution Facilities
-Call Center Operations

4. You will receive a mock RFI for a site location project. You will return your co-op's response within two weeks.

5. Lockwood Greene will develop a detailed response and grade your submittal.

6. Attend a one-day follow-up seminar, which will cover:
-Corporate site selection criteria
-Decision factors for site selectors
-How to prepare your best response

7. Participate in one-on-one coaching sessions with experienced site selection consultants, helping you to fine-tune your efforts.

Coastal Electric Employees Capture Co-op's Touchstone Energy Awards

Coastal Electric Cooperative employees Tommie Rykard and Judy McClarty were recognized with Touchstone Energy awards at the co-op's June 22 annual meeting.

Coastal Electric Cooperative donated more than $16,000 this year to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Employees raised more than $13,000 hosting a yard sale and golf tournament, washing cars, baking brownies and selling raffle tickets that benefited the ACS Relay For Life in Liberty County. The additional $3,000 was in corporate sponsorships.

McClarty was awarded the Touchstone Energy Top Fundraiser Award for her efforts in raising money for the ACS Relay For Life. She raised more than $900 selling candy and raffle tickets.

Rykard was presented the Touchstone Energy Spirit Award for her demonstration of the Touchstone Energy principle of Commitment to Community during the ACS Relay For Life campaign. She sold raffle tickets, washed cars, walked laps and did whatever else was needed, according to the co-op.

Brand Manager Tip of the Month

Georgia and South Carolina's Touchstone Energy cooperatives got out and educated members about the brand and their co-ops at a reception hosted at their joint Marketing, Member Services Communications Association (MMSCA) Summer Conference June 27 in Hilton Head, S.C.  More than 140 attendees had an opportunity to see Touchstone Energy materials on display to learn more about the brand, its products and services.  Touchstone Energy board member Whit Hollowell was able to give many attendees a better understanding of Touchstone Energy. Hosting your own Touchstone Energy event really gets the word out about your co-op and its national brand.

Illinois Statewide Can Meet Your Pre-Print Needs

New and existing Touchstone Energy cooperatives seeking a supplier for new business cards, letterhead, truck decals and other materials that contain their co-branded logos have a resource within the cooperative network--the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC).

As part of the statewide's operations, it has developed Touchstone Energy preprinted material that has reduced the expense of printing the four-color Touchstone Energy logo for cooperatives across the country. The preprinted four-color Touchstone Energy logo is located in a standardized location on letterhead stock, envelopes and business cards. If your cooperative is able to utilize one of these standard formats, you may find major savings on your Touchstone Energy printing.

For more information and pricing, contact AIEC's Chris Schinneer at 217.529.5561 or cschinneer@aiec.coop.

Web Sites That Wow

The Web Sites That Wow monthly feature is intended to demonstrate how a Touchstone Energy cooperative effectively uses its Web site in its brand-building efforts. This month's site belongs to McCone Electric Co-op (http://www.mcconeelectric.coop), which uses the Touchstone Energy brand images AND theme song on its site. Turn up the volume on your computer when you go to this site!

Fun and Safety Combine as Theme at Touchstone Energy Camp

Indiana's Touchstone Energy co-ops hosted a four-day summer camp, dubbed Touchstone Energy Camp, last month that not only included typical camp activities like swimming and horseback riding, but an education on electrical safety and electric cooperatives.

Eighty-four campers, all of whom just completed sixth grade, had an opportunity to learn about electrical safety from expert lineman Kyle Finley, and watch co-op personnel demonstrate rescue situations using a bucket truck. The campers learned of various aspects of co-ops and Touchstone Energy, including how cooperatives differ from IOUs. They also had an opportunity to build an electrical distribution system out of Lego blocks.

Two dozen co-op staffers volunteered as counselors. "I think we had just as much fun as the campers," said Wabash Valley Marketing Coordinator Laura Matney.

Quotable Quotes

“When their children are involved with Touchstone Energy, they get a closer connection with your brand.”

Chuck O’Connor, marketing director, National Cherry Festival, at the Touchstone Energy Junior Royale Parade, Traverse City Michigan

Colorado's Touchstone Energy Co-ops Pitch In for St. Jude's Kids

For the fifth consecutive year, Tri-State G&T (Denver) and five of its fellow Colorado Touchstone Energy cooperatives helped sponsor the Country Cares for St. Jude's Kids radiothon on KYGO-FM. Part of the co-ops' involvement in the project - which is a major fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - includes a donation to St. Jude's.

The two-day effort, held June 24-25, raised a total of $327,000, which will be used to offset medical expenses for families with children being treated for cancer and other catastrophic illnesses at the hospital. On behalf of the co-ops, Tri-State communications manager Jim Van Someren (far right) presents a check for $2,500 to KYGO morning personalities. 

Editor, Marty Haught
marty.haught@nreca.coop
703-907-5986