Directors Prepare for the Future
At the 2026 Directors’ Conference, hosted by Missouri Electric Cooperatives, 150 electric cooperative board members gathered in Branson to gain tools and information that support sound decision-making and help prepare their cooperatives for the future.
Board members are elected by their local communities to help guide the cooperative and make decisions on behalf of the members they serve. The event’s speakers discussed leadership, energy generation trends, public policy and ways to engage the next generation of cooperative leaders. Directors also shared ideas and experiences with fellow board members from across the state. The training helps directors understand issues affecting long-term planning.
Ongoing education reflects the cooperative principle of education, training and information, helping directors better serve their cooperative’s members.
Energy Education
Teachers from across Missouri explored how energy is produced, delivered and used during the 14th annual Energy in Today’s Classroom program, held July 29–30, in Jefferson City. Hosted by Central Electric Power Cooperative, the two-day workshop provided 15 hours of professional development for the 37 participating educators.
Attendees learned about energy fundamentals, the economics of energy, electric vehicles, energy demand and residential solar. They also completed a hands-on circuitry project and toured a Central Electric substation near St. Martins and the University of Missouri’s Combined Cooling, Heat and Power Plant in Columbia.
Each teacher received educational materials and a $500 scholarship for teaching tools to help bring energy lessons to life for students in their classrooms. The lessons can be adapted for students of all ages.
The next Energy in Today’s Classroom program will be held July 28–29, 2027. Teachers interested in participating should contact their local electric cooperative for details.
Training for when Seconds Count
A recent emergency mayday drill at Sac Osage Electric Cooperative gave lineworkers, dispatchers and local first responders a chance to practice working together when every second counts.
During the exercise in El Dorado Springs, a lineman rescued a training dummy representing an injured co-worker from a utility pole following contact with an energized electric line. Emergency responders assessed and treated the “patient” before a medical helicopter arrived to complete the simulated transport. The full-scale drill tested communication, timing and teamwork throughout each stage of the response.
While crews hope they never face this situation, hands-on training helps ensure everyone is ready to act quickly and safely in an emergency.
IN FOCUS
Tobey Bennett, superintendent of operations at Ozark Electric Cooperative and a past volunteer on a Missouri International Program mission to Guatemala, catches up on Rural Missouri while vacationing in Athens, Greece. Take us along on your next adventure and send us a photo of yourself reading the magazine to tips@ruralmissouri.org or tag Rural Missouri on social media.