I have a challenge, or two, for our readers this month. (Or maybe a “dare” sounds more intriguing?)
As you wait with bated breath, let me say that October is Co-op Month. We celebrate the drive all cooperatives share for serving their members and helping our communities thrive.
This brings me to my first challenge: Tell one person what it means to be a co-op member. (Bonus points if you tell more than one person.)
“I found an older woman” was the first thing he shared. “Oh, really?” I replied. “Yup, she is 11, I’m 9, but that’s OK. Age doesn’t matter.”
He went on to say, “After asking her to dance a third time, she finally said yes. And she sat across from me at the banquet, too, you know. I used my best pick-up line and it worked.”
It appeared our son was quickly learning the values of patience and persistence, too.
I ponder the different conditions seen over generations. The periods of growth, good and hard times, the relief of a much-needed rain, or the hardship after a storm and times of drought. I think of the thousands who have gone elsewhere, but bring a piece of rural life to the places they now call home.
What I admire most is that for more than three-quarters of a century, cooperatives have stood beside their members through it all.
Do you ever have those moments? The ones that grab you and make you beam with pride, when you realize something important and meaningful has happened.
I had this epiphany recently. I realized, “Dang, the people in our co-ops ‘get it.’” (I know, I get paid to say that, but really, they do “get it.”) And they put their money where their mouths are, so to speak.
Our co-ops invest in their communities and their people. Not only the people of today, but looking forward, toward tomorrow and their future communities, members and workforce.
The BSC lineworker training program provides a great introduction to this critical trade, but completing the program is just the beginning. Learning continues throughout a lineworker’s career, both on the job and with advanced technical and safety training. Continuing education, training and safety programs are offered in special schools and by organizations like ours, the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC). NDAREC hosts a safety training program for the state’s electric cooperative workforce.
We also partner with North Dakota Tourism to produce the “North Dakota Travel Guide” and the “North Dakota Hunting and Fishing Guide.” These guides are picked up by thousands of travelers each year at rest areas, convention and visitors bureaus, trade shows, hotels and restaurants. Visitors request these guides online or over the phone to plan their next getaway. North Dakota Living readers typically receive these special publications in the mail, packaged to an issue of the magazine.
The process was slick. One week prior, we visited www.ndvax.org(link is external), selected a location, answered a few questions, and scheduled our vaccination appointments for the next week. The day of the vaccination, we didn’t even have to get out of our car. We drove up, answered a few more questions, and were vaccinated within 10 minutes. Then, we waited 15 minutes to be monitored for allergic reactions or immediate side effects. In 25 minutes, we were out of there with Band-Aids on our arms.
Today, I am a parent to young wrestlers, and I’m also a “dance dad.” Both of these sports join a long list of extracurricular activities available to youth through schools and clubs that teach valuable life lessons and build character, but don’t always grab the headlines.
No matter the activity, whether it be athletics, music, speech, drama, student government, a service club, or you name it – each has an appeal and a community of committed folks that teach, inspire and help others belong.
