Electric cooperatives enjoy a unique responsibility as they empower the communities they serve and partner with their consumer-members. A successful approach to governance requires a delicate balance of trust, transparency, careful decision making and responsiveness to members.
 

As our industry and member needs and desires change, protecting the integrity of co-op governance practices is more critical than ever. NRECA offers a host of legal resources, educational opportunities, communications tools and consulting services to help co-ops as they continue to examine their governance practices, including:
 

• NRECA's Bylaw Revision Guide is a guide designed to assist electric cooperative directors, employees and attorneys in reviewing, analyzing and amending bylaws.
   

• NRECA's Legal Reporting Service is a monthly subscription-based newsletter addressing and reporting on governance and other legal developments impacting, or potentially impacting, electric cooperatives.  

• NRECA's Legal Seminars are annual seminars that educate electric cooperative attorneys, employees, and directors regarding specific governance and other legal issues and developments affecting electric cooperatives.
   

• NRECA's National Legal Update is a continually updated PowerPoint presentation summarizing significant governance and other electric industry legal developments during the preceding 12–18 months.  

• The Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate Program consists of five courses that focus on basic governance knowledge and the essential skills required of co-op directors.  

• The Board Leadership Certificate Program consists of a series of courses focusing in greater depth on specific industry and governance issues.  

• Governance Talk is a series of short educational videos on a variety of governance topics available to directors, CEOs, attorneys and senior staff.  

• NRECA’s Reputation Management and Governance Communications Resource Guide is designed to support electric co-ops as they work to implement proactive communications and reputation management strategies.  

• NRECA's communications team offers real-time crisis communications support and suggestions for co-ops that are navigating reputational challenges stemming from governance issues. Contact Stephen Bell at Stephen.Bell@nreca.coop to connect with the communications team.  

• This Governance Talk video addresses how co-op's can determine the right amount of transparency they need to establish trust within the organization and with their members.  

• NRECA's Executive Search service provides expertise and advice to electric co-ops and public utility districts seeking new general managers, CEOs and other senior-level executives.  

• The National Compensation System provides comprehensive salary information compiled from NRECA member electric co-ops across the country to help CEOs ensure that their co-ops' wages and salaries are competitive.  

• The National Directors Survey is a comprehensive survey of system policies and practices pertaining to Governance. The NDS provides benchmark data regarding payments to board members, along with board practices and policies.