Missouri’s rural electric cooperatives have always been rooted in community. Built by neighbors, for neighbors, co-ops are uniquely positioned to bring people together in meaningful ways. That’s why Missouri Good Neighbor Week presents such a natural opportunity. Not just as a marketing moment, but as a chance to reinforce the cooperative difference. Here are a few ideas of how co-ops can turn Missouri Good Neighbor Week into something impactful for both their brand and their members. 1. Tell the Co-op Story Through Real Neighbors Any time of years is a good time to highlight the people behind the meter. Instead of focusing on infrastructure or rates, shift the spotlight to members: Feature short stories of members helping members Share interviews with lineworkers who go above and beyond Highlight multi-generational co-op families These stories work well across social media, newsletters, and local press—and they reinforce the idea that the co-op isn’t ju...

  Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council in Republic, Missouri, Over the past several weeks I have been thinking about something I believe is important for the long-term health of Republic: the role that connected neighborhoods and engaged neighbors play in building a thriving and welcoming city. As someone who has lived here for 25 years and cares deeply about the future of our community, I recently wrote two reflections exploring this idea. I focused on the Mission and Vision of the City of Republic because I know how important this is to you and future decisions for our city. I wanted to share these articles with you in case they are helpful as you continue to think about the direction of our city. The first piece, “ My Vision for Republic: A Thriving City Where People Know Each Other ,” reflects on why neighboring matters and why I hope our community continues to think about ways to strengthen connection at the neighborhood level. It argues that thriving cities are not bui...