MECA Programs and Services

Safety/Loss Control

Serving 22 of Montana’s electric cooperatives, as well as co-ops and electric and telephone utilities in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, the MECA safety and loss control department provides onsite safety meetings to keep employees safe and meet their compliance needs through customized training modules and diverse training techniques .  MECA also provides several specialty topic trainings throughout the year as well, which provide more in-depth information on specific subjects.  In addition, MECA facilitates NRECA’s Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP), which is a five-component program designed to improve safety performance and culture.

Government Relations

MECA is significantly involved in government relations at the federal and state levels. The statewide organization advocates on behalf of its members’ interests with the Montana congressional delegation and other members of Congress, the Administration and federal agencies. At the state level, MECA maintains a considerable presence at the Montana State Capitol during every legislative session—advocating for the continued ability of electric cooperatives to deliver safe, affordable and reliable electricity to their members. In addition, MECA fosters productive relationships with state and local leaders and agencies, including the Governor and his Administration, other statewide elected officials, state agency employees, county commissioners and more.

Education & Training

MECA provides training opportunities for our member cooperative staff and directors to “help them effectively contribute to the development of their cooperative (Cooperative Principle 5).” We offer director specific courses, trainings for co-op staff as well learning opportunities for directors and staff alike.

Visit the Education and Training page here.

Communications

MECA provides statewide communications services, from press releases and social media updates, to drone services. The communications department also produces the award-winning Rural Montana magazine, which is the state's largest-circulation monthly magazine, being delivered to 133,000 homes. The department also produces the quarterly Focus on Safety newsletter, the annual MECA Directory, the Legislative Guide printed each legislative session, the annual MECA Year in Review book and several other meeting- and event-related materials.

Check out the newest edition of Rural Montana and the archives here.

Youth Tour

Youth Tour is an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors from across the country to gather each June at the nation’s capital to learn more about our history, the impact of electric cooperatives, tour national monuments and meet with elected representatives. Over 30 states participate in this once in a life experience that is made possible by the National Rural Electric Cooperatives’ Association (NRECA), statewide associations like MECA and local electric cooperatives.

Scholarships

Each year, the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association awards four scholarships (one in each district) in the amount of $500 each.  These scholarships are funded by individual contributions to the Memorial Scholarship Program.

NORTHWEST DISTRICT                                      NORTHEAST DISTRICT

Flathead Electric Co-op.                                        Big Flat Electric Co-op.

Glacier Electric Co-op.                                           Hill County Electric Co-op

Lincoln Electric Co-op.                                           Lower Yellowstone REC

Marias River Electric Co-op.                                  McCone Electric Co-op.

Northern Lights, Inc.                                              NorVal Electric Co-op.

Sun River Electric Co-op.                                      Sheridan Electric Co-op.

                                               

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT                                      SOUTHEAST DISTRICT

Beartooth Electric Co-op.                                      Big Horn County Electric Co-op.

Fall River Rural  Electric Co-op.                            Goldenwest Electric Co-op.        

Fergus Electric Co-op.                                           Mid-Yellowstone Electric Co-op.

Missoula Electric Co-op.                                        Southeast Electric Co-op.

Park Electric Co-op.                                               Tongue River Electric Co-op.

Ravalli County Electric Co-op.                               Yellowstone Valley Electric Co-op.

Vigilante Electric Co-op.

In order to apply for the scholarship, applicants, parents or guardians must be a member of an electric cooperative and the cooperative must be a member of Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association.  Applications for the MECA Memorial Scholarship become available in the Fall and are typically due in January. Check with your local cooperative for application materials.