Meet your new employees.
We’re here to help!
Scott Gates
Megan McKoy, CCC
Straight Talk Alert
What will this resource do for me?
Ever wish you Ever wish you had more staff to had more staff to handle the work?handle the work?
Your time is a critical and VALUABLE resource, split between newsletters, civic responsibilities, strategy development and more.
Straight Talk Alert
A Powerful Communications Resource
Features:
• Topical Feature Stories for Statewide Magazines
• CRN Consumer Product Reviews for Statewide Magazines
• Leadership Columns and Editorial Pieces
• Energy Efficiency Articles
• Technology Articles
• Safety Articles
• Informative Graphics and Supporting Illustrations
…and more!
Straight Talk Alert is a free newsletter-content resource from NRECA!
Straight Talk Alert
Features for Statewide Magazines
Topical feature stories for statewide magazines are available each month, generally 1,000-1,500 words with graphics/photographs.
Straight Talk Alert
CRN Consumer Product Reviews for Statewide MagazinesArticles explore a different energy efficient consumer product each month and are provided by the Cooperative Research Network.
Contact your statewide editor to discuss using these or feature stories in your own co-op publications.
Straight Talk Alert
Leadership Columns and Editorial PiecesTwo editorials are available each month, both related to the month’s theme (generally 300 words). One focuses primarily on how Our Energy, Our Future supports the theme.
In addition to these editorials, as specific issues develop the Straight Talk Team provides letters to the editor, special editorials and news stories.
Straight Talk Alert
Energy Efficiency Articles
Energy Efficiency Article 300-500 words Touches on ways to save energy in the home, how to finance efficiency measures and more. Graphics and/or images accompany article.
One article and a tip are available each month, and the archives are full of helpful stories from the last two years!
Energy Efficiency Tip 40 words, Available as jpeg, Photoshop, and text filesTwitter-ready versions (140 characters or less) are also included
Straight Talk Alert
Technology Articles
Recent Topics Include:• June | Get Smart! The Potential of Smart Homes
• July | Efficiency in Building Construction and Design
• August | Waste Not, Want Not/Basics of Nuclear Reprocessing
• September | Waste Heat: More Than Just Hot Air
• October | Innovation Along Co-op Lines
One article with graphics and/or photographs is available each month, and the archives are full of helpful stories!
Straight Talk Alert
Safety Articles
Recent Topics Include:• May | Electrical Safety Month
• June | Using Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Safely
• July | Protect Yourself From Lightning
• August | Preparation Key for Home Fire Safety
• September | Danger of Attaching Signs to Utility Poles
• October | Protect Children and Pets from Electrical Hazards
Freelancer Christine Grammes writes monthly safety articles (300-500 words) with photographs provided. The archives are full of helpful stories from the last two years.
Straight Talk Alert
Informative Graphics and Supporting IllustrationsEach month charts, graphics and/or maps related to the content are provided. They can be used with the content or on their own.
Examples:
Straight Talk Alert
Supporting a Unified National Voice
Special Communication Efforts:
Our Energy, Our Future Monthly editorial, Short Article/Artwork
Saving with the Stimulus Articles, Print Ads, Flyers, Call Center Script, Presentation Slides
Straight Talk Alert responds quickly to national issues with special communications pieces!
Straight Talk Alert
Get connected!
How can you find this great content?
It’s all on Cooperative.com!
Straight Talk Alert
Get Connected!Login to www.cooperative.com. If you don’t have a password, check with your co-ops Human Resources Department
Once there, go to ‘Interest Areas’ at the top right of the screen and select Communications.
Straight Talk Alert
Get Connected!
Of course, the shortcut www.Cooperative.com/StraightTalk also works!
In the Communications area there are two ways to get to Straight Talk: - Select from left bar - Select from ‘In This Section’
Straight Talk Alert
Get Connected!You’ll reach the Straight Talk landing page with links to the monthly content (Straight Talk Alert) and special content like:
- Saving with the Stimulus - Inside Climate Change
For the latest Straight Talk Alert materials click ‘Current Content.’
Straight Talk Alert
Get Connected! Each month you’ll see your editorials, energy efficiency articles, safety articles and more.
You can see thumbnails of pictures for each story by clicking on ‘View related images.’
You can easily download the images and the story in one zipped file.
Straight Talk Alert
Get Connected! Don’t forget our archives! The categories are on the right.
Straight Talk Alert
Get connected!
How can you find out about new content?
Join the Straight Talk Alert Listserv!
Straight Talk Alert
Get Connected!On the Straight Talk home page, there is a link for Statewide or Distribution Updates. Click your co-op category, then select ‘Join’ on the next screen.
An e-mail will be sent to you the first week of every month listing the latest Straight Talk Alert materials.
Straight Talk Alert
Get Connected!You can also find out what the Straight Talk Team is working on—and give us your feedback!—by following us on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/CoopNation.
Other Resources
Get Connected!
Want to stay in touch with co-op news?
Other Resources
Communicators ListservThe Communicators Listserv provides a forum where professional communicators can keep in touch, share ideas and discuss issues with each other. To join, go to:
www.cooperative.com/membercenter/mylistservs
Find the Communicators Listserv, and click ‘Open Listserv.’ A box will pop up. Verify your email address and click ‘Join’:
Other Resources
RE Magazine
RE Magazine focuses on national cooperative issues. Be sure to send in employee news (New directors/CEO, etc) for the Co-op People section ([email protected]), and check out the Home Page section, which highlights ways NRECA is serving members. Online archives at www.remagazine.coop.
Other Resources
Electric Co-op TODAY
Electric Co-op TODAY is a website focusing on national cooperative issues and highlighting co-op community efforts. www.ECT.Coop
Make sure they know what you’re up to! Send press releases and pictures from community events to:
Other Resources
Marketing & Communications Community NewsletterYou automatically receive the newsletter based on your title in NRECA’s system; it goes out the fourth Thursday of the month.
Don’t receive this? Your title might need to be adjusted in our system. Contact: [email protected].
Other Resources
Use or Usage: An Electric Cooperative Guide to Style
Use or Usage: An Electric Cooperative Guide to Style provides definitions for electric cooperative and utility terms, along with proper spellings and abbreviations. It was created by member publications of the Statewide Editors Association in conjunction with RE Magazine and Straight Talk Alert.
Need to know what co-op terms mean?
Details on Cooperative.com
Other Resources
Local LightsLocal Lights—the sequel to The Next Greatest Thing—celebrates the 75th anniversary of the REA’s creation.
Using more than 200 memorable photographs from the last 25 years, the hard-cover coffee table book captures the enduring values and core beliefs of electric cooperatives—cooperation, community, unity, leadership and education, stewardship, outreach and innovation. Local Lights Book – $45.99
Orders for 25-99 books = 5% Discount
Orders for 100+ books = 10% Discount
Details at www.locallights.coop
Scott GatesConsumer Communications & Advocacy [email protected]
Megan McKoy, CCC
Consumer Communications & Advocacy [email protected]
Perry StambaughDirector & Editor, RE [email protected]
Questions, comments or ideas?
Contact us any time – the more feedback you provide, the stronger the content!
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