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“Leaders can give up many things. The one thing that a leader can never let go of is his or her responsibility.”

Accepting responsibility has always been a core principle of the cooperative model. Many who built the cooperative understood the tremendous task of electrifying rural America, and many still remember and will be forever grateful for those that accepted this responsibility. Today is a new calling to cooperative leadership to address the many challenges that are present with the economic crisis, energy challenges and building back trust in corporate leadership. Building A Culture Of Accountability is a recognition of this responsibility. As you review this site, you will find a number of initiatives and programs that are focused at meeting the many converging issues. We ask that if you have questions or comments please post those on this site so that we can address any questions or concerns you have.


“Technique and technology are important, but adding trust is the issue of the decade.”

It is our continued desire to keep you, our member-owners, informed and involved in your cooperative. In today’s fast pace and changing times, it is imperative that we engage with you through Annual Meeting, AWARE meetings and District meetings to address your concerns and questions. We also hope that you will utilize the many online tools available that allow you greater access to timely information. This site shows our commitment to the following goals:  affordable rates, high standards of system reliability, being responsive to member and community needs, assuring that we are fully aware and engaged in issues that impact your cooperative, working with all resources to assure the quality of life throughout our service area and focusing on employee development so that we can assure that you are being served with the highest level of competencies.


“If leaders have to give up to go up, then they have to give up even more to stay up.”

CREC recognizes that this is a very challenging time for our members, communities and many organizations. The cooperative culture is about sacrifice. Our employees have implemented a number of measures that demonstrates this sacrifice. Commitments have been made to address wages and benefit programs, and employees have been challenged to identify areas operationally that will Increase reliability, Reduce cost, Improve efficiencies and Make greater use of our assets. We have targeted over a quarter of a million dollars in savings that require a sacrifice from your team of employees. In addition to this sacrifice, CREC employees have banned together to start a program called “Paying It Forward.” To find out more about this program, visit the Philanthropy link on this site.


“Most people and organizations are more satisfied with old problems than committed to finding new solutions.”

We understand that the stakes are high for the team of employees to perform at a very high level. This is why you will see that Building A Culture Of Accountability is multi-faceted. Our team of employees believes in giving back to our members and communities. By clicking on Commitment to Excellence, you will find what we are doing to Increase our overall reliability to you the membership, Reduce cost through targeted initiatives involving both personnel and operations, Improve efficiencies through implementation of new technologies and Make greater use of our assets by leveraging our resources through partnerships and value added services.

By Debra Higgins

When I envision Christmas I see stockings hung on the fireplace mantel, a house filled with decorations inside and out, a Christmas tree adorned with special ornaments and presents laid beneath. My perception of Christmas changed this year.
There were no decorations and no fancy Christmas tree just one lonely present wrapped in a plain white envelope. One thing did remain the same, the feeling of anticipation as I unwrapped the present wrapped in the plain white envelope.
Christmas did come early this year through the “Pay It Forward” campaign. Participating was not a difficult decision to make. I counted it as a blessing. The timing was perfect. I knew immediately where the money would go. Altrusa International Inc. of Stillwater was in the process of starting a new literacy project, entitled BOOKS. BOOKS stands for Building, One child, One book, creating Knowledge, through Service.
The main goal of the project is to provide one book for every kindergarten and first grade student within the Stillwater School System. As with any new project funding is an essential step to the success of the project. Utilizing the Pay it Forward contribution allowed me the opportunity to not only participate but to participate at a higher level. Instead of adopting one class room the contribution allowed the ability to adopt one school. The funds assured all the kindergarten and first grade students at Highland Park Elementary School would each receive one book.
“Pay it Forward” is a life changing experience, life changing not only for those receiving but for those giving. What an opportunity, what a blessing this has been. No hesitation, no regrets just a heart overflowing with gratitude to be a part. Touching lives is what it is all about.
 

   

FreedomSource is a CREC initiative that gives employees and members the opportunity to send care packages to soldiers over seas.  See below how FreedomSource is appreciated by a soldier in his correspondence with a CREC employee.

CREC EMPLOYEE: Here is an e-mail I received after shipping packages to Iraq. Josh was one of my sons friends. I sent a note asking if there was anything they needed or liked...

SOLDIER IN IRAQ: "Thank you for the tasty snacks you sent. I got the box today and I of course had to sample all the tasty snacks. I couldn't completely ID the peanut cookie things but they are AMAZING. Everyone of the guys who has tried them really liked them. The cookie bars were also extremely delicious and I have devoured several already. Haha, so much for watching the snack intake I guess. I was wearing the CREC hat you sent today. I like it! I can't really think of any favorites. I enjoy about anything with chocolate and peanut butter and I am sure the guys will all help devour anything you send. I wanted to write you though to say thank you because I didn't expect it and I like getting packages. Makes me feel like I am not completely cut off from everyone. Well, it is late so I need to get sleep. Take care Mom and I am gonna come try to visit out that way when I get back.

-Josh "the Adopted Son"
 

   

I have learned that as a general rule, people will surprise you and most often, people have genuine, giving hearts. They go through life walking a fine balance of giving and taking. However, I have also learned that there are also those people who will continue to amaze you by their willingness to give. Last weekend, at the Stillwater Walk Multiple Sclerosis, I was again reminded that Central Rural Electric Cooperative is full of these people.

Working in a mid-sized organization, there are always people who are helping others or asking for donations to various charities. With the pressures of life mounting and tugging at our hearts and minds, helping others can almost feel like a burden. However, at CREC, employees continue to push aside personal stresses to help others. Whether it’s change from the candy machine or a three-mile walk for those who aren’t able, employees continually give of themselves.

In our first attempt to participate in Stillwater Walk MS, we raised more than $600 and were one of the top teams. Not only did we raise more than $600, we had 19 people represent CREC in the walk. Some may have been a little skeptical about participation in Stillwater Walk MS when the lime green, polka-dot signs were posted throughout the cooperative halls. However, as the weeks passed, the “Change A Life” jar filled and donations were received. The cooperative spirit was once again displayed as we joined together to bring this world one step closer to a world free of multiple sclerosis. It’s just one more way CREC strives to Pay It Forward.

   

Recently a CREC employee participated in CREC’s Pay It Forward program by donating to the Life Adult Day Center. The Life Adult Day Center is a non-profit organization that helps adults with special needs or limitations to remain in the community and function at their fullest potential.

The Life Center allows parents and other family members to continue to work full-time during the recession. The Life Center is a non-profit organization that relies on state dollars, donations from groups and fees paid by customers.

Donations are crucial to the viability of the Center. In a letter written from the Center’s Executive Director, Jane Carlson, she said that “…your employees are to be commended for the time and resources dedicated on behalf of charitable organizations and the positive impact such dedication has on so many lives.”