September 23, 2022

Volume 7 | Issue 9

HELP US REBRAND YLC!

Every summer, WECA and Wisconsin electric cooperatives host a three-day jam-packed, fun-filled event that is open to high school students living in electric co-op service areas. Known as Youth Leadership Congress, or YLC, the event helps grow leadership skills and a greater understanding of electric cooperatives. In short, it is an investment in our leaders of tomorrow. We think it’s time for a refresh on how we present the program to co-ops and kids, and we are asking for your help.

First, a little more background. At YLC, students experience life living on a college campus (UW-Stout), eat in the dining hall, and participate in presentations and activities on campus. It’s like summer camp with a fun focus on the future. This year’s event included a motivational speaker, a job fair focused on co-op careers, a hypnotist show, a co-op themed Tik Tok challenge, and much more.

Students also get a hands-on introduction into the legislative process, as they select nominees who gather signatures and deliver a speech as they run for youth board. Those elected to youth board by the full group are invited to attend the NRECA Youth Tour, a trip to Washington D.C., which many call “the trip of a lifetime." The youth board members also return to YLC the following summer to serve as team leaders. One board member is selected annually to serve as national rep, which opens up another door to opportunities for leadership, growth, and travel.

Finally, those who attend YLC have the opportunity to enter the WECA essay contest, which awards annual scholarships in the amount of $250, $500, and $1,000 to the top three winners. Through youth programs and the YLC platforms, Wisconsin students have represented our co-ops extremely well—we’ve had TWO Wisconsin co-op kids win the $10,000 NRECA Glenn English scholarship in the past ten years. That’s remarkable.

It is hard to put into words just how much value students gain from their experience at YLC. This year, we heard from many attendees about how hard it was to step out of their comfort zone and do something different, with a group of strangers who quickly become great friends. Some told us they overcame huge obstacles from battling anxiety, and after three days said they felt stronger and more confident, just for having participated.

As we work to engage more students and co-ops to grow participation in YLC to pre-pandemic levels and beyond, we would like to rename and rebrand the event, to better represent what it is all about. This is where you come in. Please send us your suggestions for a new name for YLC. The person who submits the selected name will win a special surprise from WECA!

Please submit your suggestions to Tina Walden at tina@weca.coop by end of the day Friday, October 14, 2022.

Thank you very much for your participation and your ongoing support of WECA youth!

In this issue we take a look at how continuing supply-chain challenges are predicted to affect electric cooperative in the coming year, and how co-ops are adapting; show you how proper insulation can help you save money this heating season; introduce you to some quality local rural art that will be on display at the Chippewa Falls WRAP exhibit; and offer up some great new recipes that feature pork for National Pork Month. Don’t forget the Symbol Search—this month we’ve got a little paintbrush hidden somewhere inside the pages!  

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Congratulations to the Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News category winners for the 2020–21 judging cycle! Certificates were presented at the Electric Co-op Communicator’s Conference in Wisconsin Dells at the end of August. Winners are as follows:

Co-op News

First Place: Riverland Energy Cooperative, Beth Alesch, editor

Honorable Mention: Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, Monica Obrycki, editor

Human Interest

First Place: Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative, Judy Mims, editor

Honorable Mention: Vernon Electric Cooperative, Dave Maxwell, editor, and Leah Call, feature writer

Photography

First Place: Rock Energy Cooperative, Jonas Berberich, editor

Honorable Mention: Oakdale Electric Cooperative, Deana Protz, editor

Energy Education

First Place: Oakdale Electric Cooperative, Deana Protz, editor

Honorable Mention: Jackson Electric Cooperative, Carol Blaken, editor, and Brandi Shramek, feature writer

Note: Co-op personnel listed here were editors of their local pages at the time of this judging cycle.

WECA ANNUAL MEETING

The WECA Annual Meeting is scheduled for November 15–16, 2022 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. We have a jam-packed program covering the below topics:

• Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange group retention report
• The transition to clean energy does not happen without serious challenges and nuclear power
• Nuclear/clean energy technologies panel discussion
• Tackling supply chain constraints
• WIDOT EV infrastructure plan
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Act: Investing in reliability, resilience, efficiency, and innovation
• Political/election update
• How does WECA's political engagement make a difference in an election?
• Leifer, Potthast, and ACE awards banquet and ceremony

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, October 14

We look forward to seeing you there!

EDUCATION & TRAINING

The 2022 education and training program is starting to wind down, but we still have plenty of programs for board members and co-op employees to participate in during the months of October and December. All programs are scheduled to be held in person. Please be sure to click the "Events Calendar" button below to see the remaining 2022 education and training programs as well as our list of 2023 events we already have scheduled.

Please note that all attendee limits listed below are subject to change all depending on any state, county, or local regulations in place. We highly recommend you registering for your programs early so that you are guaranteed a seat.

For questions on director and employee education programs, please contact Wendy Fassbind.

TO REGISTER, contact your cooperative's office manager or HR manager to register you for any WECA education program(s).

EMPLOYEE TRAINING SPOTLIGHT

The Power of Positive Conflict AND

Creating High Performing Teams

December 8 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

The Florian Gardens Conference Center | Eau Claire

The Power of Positive Conflict

Conflict is inevitable in the workplace. The highest performing leaders and teams see conflict as an opportunity to grow, rather than something to be avoided. This workshop will explore how to have positive conflict so you can learn how to respond effectively instead of reacting with one of the four toxins: blaming, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling. Participants will explore the sources of conflict and discover how to use it to create stronger relationships and improve outcomes.

Creating High-Performing Teams

Leading a team of high performers is challenging, especially in a fast-paced, high-stress environment. In this engaging workshop, participants will learn how to more effectively create teams that flourish. Participants will understand how having individuals with diverse personalities and work styles make the strongest teams, and yet often ones with the greatest conflict. Learn about the four stages of team development, and how to improve communication and increase engagement with your team.

We are excited to bring this Darcy Luoma Coaching & Consulting program with trainer/facilitator, Nancy Clark.

FHWA APPROVES STATE EV CHARGING PLAN

Late last week, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WIDOT) Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Plan was approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), a key milestone to accessing approximately $78.65 million allocated to Wisconsin over the 5-year implementation period from the federal agency’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The purpose of NEVI is to build-out an interconnected public network of electric vehicle chargers across the nation to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability.

Earlier, WIDOT said it would spend $11.64 million in the first year of its plan that focuses on the designated interstate system and other specific state highways approved by the FHWA (see map below). The initial objective is to ensure that an EV charger with at least four ports (150 kW per port or greater) exists along the approved Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC) at least every 50 miles and no more than 1 mile from a corridor access point. Currently there are only four public EV chargers in the state that meet the minimum program standards.

With the FHWA’s approval, the WIDOT can begin to further develop its application criteria and the process it will use for competitively selecting qualifying proposals from public and private entities, including electric cooperatives.

Currently, the approved Alternative Fuel Corridors include the following Interstates: I-90, I-94, I-43, I-41, and I-535; seven U.S. highways: US 53, US 151, parts of US 51, WIS 29, US 2 and US 141, and all of US 8 and US 41.

The agency’s report identifies 200 viable sites along the designated interstates and approved AFCs, but only needs 61 locations to comply with the federal requirement of one charger every 50 miles. Grants awarded for the installations will require a minimum 20% match. Funds can be used for purchasing and installing the charger, inclusive of required electric system upgrades.

When the WIDOT has fulfilled its obligation to build-out the NEVI charging network for the designated interstates and approved AFCs, the state will target other state highways with a goal of 85% of Wisconsin State Highway System being within 25 miles of a NEVI-compliant fast charging station. Eventually, this program will include a significant number of highways adjacent to electric cooperative service territories.

NRECA GOVERNANCE TALK

Effective Member Advisory Groups

Member advisory groups can be a great tool for the co-op to use to get some member feedback on high-impact issues such as a rate increase, a merger, or building a new building.

In this episode of Governance Talk*, Pat Mangan interviews instructor and pollster Jody Severson about the what, how and when of member advisory groups.

*You will need to log into your www.cooperative.com account to view the video.