| Posted in: News Releases
Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) unveiled its new MRES Ambassador Program to members during its annual meeting in May. The program is intended to raise the awareness of public power and the value of membership in MRES through community and policymaker education in member communities.
Participating ambassadors will receive a quarterly package of information and talking points on a particular topic of interest, such as the extensive efforts made by MRES and its member utilities to ensure electric reliability. In addition, a short webinar will be held to discuss the topic further and answer any questions the ambassadors may have. Armed with this information, MRES ambassadors will proactively advocate for public power and joint action in their communities with key influencers over coffee, lunch, or while attending civic clubs or community events. They will be “in the know” about topics of concern to the electric utility and community and can answer questions from the public.
The MRES Ambassador Program is one of several efforts by MRES to help its members communicate the value and benefits of their local public power utility, as well as the inherent benefits of belonging to a larger, joint-action organization of 61 utilities working for the common good. The program builds on the ongoing Value of Public Power communications campaign that has provided quarterly marketing materials and monthly social media posts for member use since 2018. In addition, the Municipal Power Advantage® program, which launched in 2013, provides members with a detailed analysis and report of the economic value of all the benefits the local electric utility provides to the community.
“The Ambassador Program is another way we can help customers understand what a gem they have in their locally owned, locally controlled public power utility, and in the many resources and economies of scale they receive by partnering with 60 other municipal utilities through MRES,” said Tim Blodgett, MRES vice president of member support. “The core purpose of MRES is to enhance the value of our member utilities to their customers and communities. The Ambassador Program will be an impactful way to communicate that value.”
MRES is an organization of 61 member municipalities in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Each member owns and operates a municipal electric utility. MRES provides its members with energy and a wide range of energy-related services.
For more information, contact Vice President of Member Services and Communications Joni Livingston at 800-678-4042 or info@mrenergy.com.