Co-op News
Electric Learning Online
A new online offering from the NRECA Education and Training Department is designed to help local electric cooperative directors deepen their knowledge and enhance their effectiveness in the boardroom.
This screenshot from NRECA’s online course, “Understanding the Electric Business,” is an example of the material covered by the program. (Graphic By: NRECA)
“Understanding the Electric Business” will kick off in late July as part of several online courses for directors.
“Directors need a solid understanding of this complex electric industry and how cooperatives fit into it,” said Mary McLaury, NRECA’s vice president for education and training. “This course provides a strong foundation for our other Credentialed Cooperative Director courses which delve into director duties and liabilities, roles and responsibilities, financial decision making and strategic planning. They are all developed with one goal in mind—to enhance the effectiveness of cooperative board members.”
An in-person version of this course will still be offered at NRECA Summer Schools and Winter School programs, and through statewide associations. The online opportunity provides an alternative option for completing the requirements for the CCD certificate program, said Diane Rhodes-Michaely, NRECA director of learning strategies.
“We’ve had requests from members and from the NRECA board for more online opportunities for directors,” said Rhodes-Michaely. “This will enable them to complete one of the required courses without travel.”
The covered material includes an overview of electric utility businesses and the differences between cooperatives, municipal utilities and investor-owned companies. The roles of regulatory agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency are also discussed.
“We cover the basics of how an electric utility operates,” said Rhodes-Michaely. “The content is presented over a period of about 6.5 hours. Participants can cover the material incrementally, and complete the course over a four-week period.”
Presenting the course online also provides directors with flexibility. They are able to access the material by computer through an Internet connection, and resume their study at any point from a previous saved session.
“Technology has evolved to the point where we can offer these programs in ways convenient to directors without disrupting their business and personal schedules,” said Pat Mangan, NRECA’s director of governance education.
“It’s important for us at NRECA to remember that adults learn in many different ways,” said Mangan. Some prefer classroom discussions while others learn by reading. Still others prefer to work at their own pace at a time and place convenient to them, and that’s what this new online course allows them to do.”
For further details about this online program, e-mail Rhodes-Michaely at diane.rhodes-michaely@nreca.coop.