Co-op Connections Card

Co-op Membership Card Connects OEC Members with Businesses

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Electric cooperatives have always been focused on their member-owners and the communities they serve. This concept is the cornerstone of a new card-based program OEC is bringing its members.

"Co-op Connections cards provide discounts to cooperative members on products and services at local and national businesses," explains Jack Ferrell, OEC's director of marketing and member services. Best of all, he says, it's free.

Ferrell says OEC is mailing each co-op member their own Co-op Connections card. The cards will be mailed to members beginning August 10. "All they have to do then is present it at participating businesses to begin realizing their savings. There are no sign-up or annual fees," he says.

Participating businesses determine their own discounts, and the offers can change throughout the year. Ferrell uses the Stan Clark Companies as an example. "Each Stan Clark business - Eskimo Joe's, Joe's Clothes, Mexico Joe's, and Joseppi's - has separate monthly offers. This month, for example, you can get a youth T-shirt at half price when you buy one at regular price."

Co-op members can visit the Co-op Connections web site at http://www.connections.coop to learn what discounts are available, something Ferrell encourages them to do regularly to stay up to date. "They also can look for the Co-op Connections participant stickers in storefront windows or near store cash registers, and continue to read the OEC News. Lists of participating businesses and some of their special promotions will be featured regularly," he says.

Touchstone Energy®, an alliance of more than 600 electric cooperatives nationwide, including OEC, is making this program available and it is being adopted by cooperatives across the nation in an effort to promote local companies.

Scott Williams, a marketing manager at Western Farmers Electric Cooperative who has been instrumental in bringing the program to Oklahoma, says he was able to save $30 a night at a Best Western hotel the first time he used his card.

In addition to Eskimo Joe's and Best Western hotels, Williams says the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the Oklahoma City Blazers, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Oklahoma Aquarium also are participating in the program.

Both Williams and Ferrell are encouraged by the response so far. They say partnering with businesses - large and small - benefits both the cooperative members and the businesses.

"There is no out-of-pocket expense for the companies. We do the advertising for them, so the only costs they have are the ones associated with the savings they offer. We feel it's a win-win situation for our communities," Williams says.

Ferrell says there will be a Co-op Connections booth at the annual meeting, where members can learn more about the program and the discounts currently offered. Members who show their cards at the booth can register for a special prize drawing. "We want our members to start realizing the benefits of being a 'card-carrying member' and feel this is a good way to kick off this new program," he says.

If you have questions about the Co-op Connections Card program or how your business can participate, call Jack Ferrell at (405) 217-6703.