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Inside MREA: Our Services

Government Affairs
MREA Government Affairs Department represents the legislative and regulatory interests of Minnesota’s electric cooperatives before the state legislature and state agencies. Our government affairs staff cooperates and coordinates with member cooperatives to maintain a unity of message to the legislature. The department also works with the MREA general manager to address Congressional and federal executive agency issues.

The primary responsibility of this department is to ensure that legislation and regulations will not adversely affect our members’ ability to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity to the more than 1.5 million consumers currently served by Minnesota electric cooperatives. Our staff and membership educate lawmakers about electric co-ops, monitor legislation that affects our members, and influence legislation when necessary. MREA has also developed a grassroots organization to strengthen its effectiveness by educating and involving co-op members.

Safety & Loss Control
MREA’s loss control staff work to help our members:

Save Lives
Save Time
Save Money

Improve Morale
Improve Workplace Performance

Effective safety and loss control is an element of business operations just as are member services and electrical operations. MREA Loss Control Services is here to assist MREA members in developing and implementing effective safety programs by providing training, service and support with a primary objective of operational and safety-related work practices, education and professional development. Our service strategy ranges from complete consultation to specific safety and loss control consultation service requests.

In addition to direct on-site member safety training visits, Loss Control coordinates a variety of training schools, conferences and workshops at various locations around the state. MREA also provides Apprentice Training programs for electrical lineworkers.

MREA Loss control also helps members coordinate disaster assistance and power restoration activities during times of wide-spread disasters; drug and alcohol testing programs; and regulatory compliance support.

Member Services and Education
MREA provides education and training resources to member co-op directors, managers and employees. Electric cooperative board members have the fiduciary responsibility of overseeing their member-owned cooperative. They take their jobs seriously and seek learning opportunities to better serve their co-op. MREA coordinates and provides these educational opportunities.

Managers and employees require many different types of training and networking to best serve the co-op’s member/customer and adopt new ideas for service and technology. MREA provides administrative and planning services for the Rural Electric Management Association (REMA) and also facilitates networking groups for communicators and HR professionals. See MREA’s current training and conference opportunities. MREA also helps the cooperatives promote and support the communities and the areas they serve by coordinating various programs and events.

Administration
MREA management and administration supports the association and builds alliances with related organizations. Administration provides MREA with overall management and direction and is responsible for planning, budgeting and reporting to the MREA Board of Directors. This department is responsible for providing accurate financial records for the association and cash management. This department also manages the development, implementation and administration of human resources, with regard to employment policies, benefit programs and compensation.

Marketing & Communication
The association assists Minnesota’s electric cooperatives with marketing efforts and other programs intended to promote electric cooperatives' overall image as an interconnected entity. MREA produces the MREA Membership Directory & Buyers’ Guide, Member Connection newsletter, MREA Report, Legislative Bulletin and the MREA website, and provides communication support to all departments within MREA. We also provide networking opportunities for companies and vendors that work with our core membership through our associate member program.

click here for an alphabetical listing of all MREA staff

Inside MREA: Our Services

Providing service and leadership for electric cooperatives.