OTEC Earns Service Excellence Four-Star Cooperative Status
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, May 10th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Release from OTEC) In April, the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) Member Services Department received national recognition from Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives for earning Service Excellence Four-Star Cooperative status. The program empowers employees to become ambassadors for their member-owners and to communicate the cooperative difference. OTEC earned this prestigious Four- Star Cooperative recognition by completing four employee engagement courses in the Touchstone Energy Service Excellence Program.
“Touchstone Energy Cooperatives supports nearly 700 electric co-ops in 46 states. OTEC is one of only 54 that have earned Four-Star status. This accomplishment demonstrates OTEC’s commitment to service and ongoing employee education, and our member-owners will reap the rewards of this effort,” remarked Les Penning, CEO.
The Touchstone Energy Service Excellence Program is an on-site workshop series that empowers employees to become ambassadors for their membership and communicate the cooperative difference. During these workshops, co-op employees master advanced communication skills, adopt a “can-do” attitude and learn how to better assist members by proactively anticipating their needs.
Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives is a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states providing research, communications resources, and employee training programs that help its member cooperatives better engage and serve their members. As a result, Touchstone Energy cooperatives are positioned to achieve superior member satisfaction and engagement that strengthens the cooperative, the communities it serves, and the electric cooperative community at large. Through access to targeted programs and a unifying, national brand, Touchstone Energy cooperatives stand out as a trusted source of power and information to their 30 million member-owners every day.
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative that serves nearly 60,000 residents in four counties in Eastern Oregon. Headquartered in Baker City, OTEC has district offices in Burns, John Day, and La Grande. To learn more about OTEC, the OTEC Board of Directors, the 2024 Board Nominating committees, or the 2024 Annual Meeting, please visit www.otec.coop.
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