As March gives way to April, it’s a good time to reflect on the strength and commitment that keep our cooperative strong year-round.
I’m proud to share that four of our dedicated board members, Frank Herman, Bill Croy, Richard Rudolphi and Frank Cyzewski, have successfully maintained their Director Gold credentials through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). This is NRECA’s highest-level voluntary director education achievement, recognizing those who go beyond basic training to stay continuously informed on the complex challenges facing rural electric cooperatives.
To earn and maintain Director Gold, directors first complete foundational programs (Credentialed Cooperative Director and Board Leadership Certificate), then pursue advanced coursework on topics like governance, risk management, power supply strategies, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, policy development and more. What sets Director Gold apart is its ongoing requirement: Directors must earn three approved continuing education credits every two years to keep the credential active. This ensures our board members remain at the forefront of industry trends and best practices, even as the energy landscape evolves rapidly.
Why does this matter to you? Your elected directors guide the policies that shape our cooperative’s direction from reliability improvements to rate decisions. By committing to this ongoing training, our directors demonstrate their dedication to making informed, forward-thinking decisions that safeguard reliable, affordable service for our community. In a time of widespread industry changes, having a well-educated board helps us navigate uncertainties effectively and keep our cooperative resilient for generations to come.
Ongoing training is not limited to our board of directors. Every member of the Clay Electric team is constantly improving. Our outside crews take technology classes and attend hands-on trainings to improve their skills. Our office staff network with professionals within the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) and NRECA to stay sharp. Our management team attends trainings and takes coursework to ensure they are informed and capable of steering the cooperative in the day-to-day operations and the challenges that come along. With constant betterment, it is our hope to best serve our members.
In service to our members, this month our forestry crew will still be working on the Iola substation’s south feeder. They’ll be clearing rights-of-way of dangerous trees to improve reliability. We expect them to be working generally in the area south of Iola, north of Hickory Hill Lane, east of Farina, and west of U.S. Route 45. Their work area will be highlighted on the map included in this section.
Don’t forget to search for your member number in the center section of this magazine. Three lucky numbers are hidden each month in Clay Electric News — if yours is there and you call us, you’ll earn a $5 credit on your next bill!
