NDAREC communicator earns national credential

The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) is pleased to announce that Krista Rausch, communications specialist, has earned recognition as a professional communicator in a national certification program offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).   

Rausch has met the requirements to become a Certified Cooperative Communicator (CCC), which signifies standards of professionalism in communications and competency in the electric cooperative industry. Since 1985, fewer than 500 electric cooperative communicators have attained CCC status. 

“I am very proud of Krista for her work and her effort in achieving the Cooperative Communicator Certification,” says Josh Kramer, NDAREC general manager and executive vice president. “In order to become certified, a candidate must submit a portfolio of work and pass a rigorous examination based on two years of self-study. However, Krista took advantage of an accelerated certification option and met this professional achievement in less than one year. In meeting these requirements, she has demonstrated that she is performing communications at a professional level and possesses a high degree of knowledge about the electric utility industry and the cooperative form of business. Job well done.”  

The CCC Program was created to strengthen and enrich the professional skills and abilities of electric co-op communicators to help them successfully fill their crucial roles in ensuring the best possible future for electric cooperatives. This is done through the establishment of professional development goals, identification of a body of knowledge and skills necessary to the practice of electric co-op communication, and recognition of those individuals who have demonstrated a professional level of excellence.

NRECA is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to more than 37 million people in 47 states.

NDAREC is the statewide trade association for 16 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives operating in North Dakota. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to more than 250,000 North Dakotans. NDAREC services include legislative advocacy, lineworker safety training and professional development services and cooperative business development. The association also provide a variety of communication services including publication of the North Dakota Living magazine.