Craig Borr is President/CEO of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA)
As the US Presidential primary heads into Super Tuesday, it reminds us of the importance of the political process and how our country picks its political leaders. Electric cooperatives in Michigan and throughout the country have developed our own Political Action Committee (PAC) to ensure our voices are heard both in Washington D.C. and Lansing.
In addition to the direct lobbying that both the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) engage in on behalf of Michigan’s electric cooperatives and their nearly 1,000 employees, we also engage directly in financially supporting political leaders who support electric cooperatives through our own PAC—the Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE).
ACRE is one very powerful way that electric cooperatives in Michigan and the country ensure your voice is heard by our political leaders. ACRE provides financial support to those candidates and elected officials who support electric cooperative positions. This support is provided irrespective of political party affiliation. Simply stated, ACRE supports both Democrats and Republicans.
How is that financial support generated? ACRE’s financial support comes from grassroots financial contributions from electric co-op members, employees and directors from throughout the 47 states in which electric cooperatives operate. In fact, the average contribution of ACRE’s nearly 30,000 members is around $53.00 per year. The fallacy that “big money” drives the political process is simply not true when it comes to electric cooperatives. Our strength is in the large number of participants and their relatively modest financial contributions.
Michigan’s electric cooperatives are presently in the midst of ACRE’s 2016 Membership Drive and we could use your support. Any electric cooperative member or employee with managerial or supervisory responsibilities can join ACRE. You simply need to provide a check or credit card number to the designated ACRE chairperson. At Wolverine, that person is Deb Lindquist at the Cadillac office. You can contact Deb at dlindquist@wpsci.com. You can also learn more about ACRE via the following link: http://www.meca.coop/advocacy-center/acre-m-acre.
Wolverine’s directors, management team, and employees have historically been strong supporters of the ACRE program; however, if you are a new employee or one who now meets the eligibility criteria, I would encourage you to consider joining. Membership levels range from $25.00/year all the way up to $500.00/year. Your membership is welcomed at whatever membership level you feel is appropriate.
ACRE is a critical voice for electric cooperative employees in the political process. It helps us to be engaged on issues that are of critical importance to our employees such as pension legislation and ensuring our member-cooperatives and their employees are not saddled with onerous “Cadillac Tax” provisions on their medical insurance benefits.
Michigan’s electric cooperatives could use your voice and financial contribution.
Craig, I appreciate the apolitical aspect of the support ACRE gives, that it flows to those who value and support cooperatives and their missions regardless of which side of the isle they are on. It shows that we live our name – we strive to Cooperate.
To clarify, some time back I believe we were advised that hourly employees of cooperatives are not eligible for membership or providing financial support. Do I have this correct, and if so, are there other ways to help the cause?
Thx for any info you can share.
Russ
Your question is a very good one. Federal elections laws were tightened several years ago and the following individuals are eligible to join/contribute to ACRE: (1) an electric cooperative member consumer; (2) any salaried co-op employees with policy making, managerial, professional or supervisory responsibilities; (3) any electric coop director; and finally (4) any spouse or immediate family members of an eligible employee, member or director.
I would encourage you to have an ongoing dialogue with your state representative and senator as well as your member of Congress. Let them know you are an electric coop employee and that you care deeply about our mission in rural Micihgan.
Thanks for the great questions.