Consolidated Cooperative

Employee Handbook

Welcome to Consolidated Cooperative!

We’re glad you’re here. You are part of a wonderful team of talented, motivated, and productive people, all working together to bring quality of life to our members, customers, and communities. We could not be who we are without you.

The following pages will cover what it means to be part of this great team and how you can expect to thrive in our not-for-profit business world. From benefits and wellness initiatives to policies and procedures. Everything matters. Every page. Every department. Every detail has been designed to support you in your new role at Consolidated. We expect good judgment from you (or we would not have hired you) and promise good judgment from us. We value respect, learning, growth, commitment, grace, responsibility, and as our name implies, cooperation.

As the leader of this fine organization, my hope is that you enjoy the people, work, and environment you find here nearly as much as I have in my years of service. And I look forward to serving you.

President and CEO

Consolidated Cooperative’s mission is to serve alongside our members and communities in ways that
empower them to thrive and prosper. Our primary role is to safely provide high-value energy and
communications services in fiscally and environmentally responsible ways.

Vision:

Consolidated will remain diligent in enhancing the exceptional value of the services we provide, improving the quality of the relationships we build, empowering the vitality of our communities, and meeting the evolving needs of our members.

We’re so glad you’re here!

We greatly value your role here at Consolidated, and we cannot overstate the importance of your contributions to providing top-notch service to our members. Your efforts directly shape our reputation.

This handbook outlines our general guidelines, policies, and benefits. Throughout this handbook, the term “working time” is the time an employee is engaged or should be engaged in performing work tasks for the Cooperative. This handbook is not a contract but a tool to ensure clarity and fairness for everyone. As our organization evolves, so will these policies, reflecting our commitment to staying responsive to our employees’ needs and our operational requirements.

Management will interpret and enforce these guidelines in the best interest of the organization. This handbook replaces any similar, previously issued policies, and it is your responsibility to stay informed about updates. Changes will be communicated through our internal team channels, email, or employee meetings.

It’s important to mention, nothing in this handbook is intended to prevent employees from discussing or engaging in activities related to the wages, terms, or conditions of their employment.

Thank you for being here and for sharing your unique talents with us. If you have any questions about this handbook, please consult your supervisor or HR.

Our team members have diverse skillsets and backgrounds, but we are united through shared ideals about our cooperative and communities.

Our Values

Our Core Competencies

What makes our team so special?

At Consolidated Cooperative, our core competencies are the things that set us apart and define our excellence. We aim to embody these competencies in every aspect of our operations, from hiring and development to daily interactions both within and outside our organization.

Learn More

Safety-Focus
We prioritize safety, fostering a culture where every employee is committed to their well-being and to the well-being of others. Regardless of the time, location, or activity, we diligently promote safe behaviors and adhere to safety principles outlined in regulations, standards, and policies. We maintain a robust Amnesty Policy, encouraging open communication that enhances our training and practices

Business Acumen
We integrate a broad spectrum of knowledge into our job performance that contributes to the cooperative’s strategic goals. This includes technical expertise, resource management, change management, and a thorough understanding of cooperative principles, industry concepts, and business fundamentals.

Communication
Effective communication is essential. We strive to exchange information with stakeholders in a clear, concise, and thoughtful manner. Diplomacy, active listening, timely responses, and keeping others well-informed are key components of our internal and external communication approach.

Personal Effectiveness
Personal effectiveness is paramount to our success as a cooperative team. We uphold high standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability in all our endeavors, expecting individuals to demonstrate emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a commitment to continual learning and self-improvement.

Problem-Solving
We thoroughly interpret information and circumstances to make well-informed decisions and recommendations. Initiative, critical thinking, innovation, and conflict-management skills are key to navigating challenges effectively.

Service-Orientation
Service-orientation is at the core of everything we do. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service and support to our cooperative members, customers, and the community at large. Building collaborative relationships and prioritizing the needs of our stakeholders are fundamental aspects of our service philosophy

1936 (May)

Congress passes the Rural Electrification Act, providing federal loans to create electrical distribution systems for millions of Americans living in rural areas. This led to the formation of Morrow Electric and Delaware Rural Electric

1985

Consolidated enters into telecommunications to expand opportunity, improve quality of life and support growth in our developing communities. Our telecommunications offerings evolved over time, transitioning from C-Band services to dial-up internet, fixed wireless, satellite internet, and ultimately Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections.

1996

Morrow Electric and Delaware Rural Electric merge and form Consolidated Electric Cooperative.

1997

Consolidated founds its natural gas service: Bright Energy, another service that supports growth and economic development throughout our communities.

1999

Consolidated secures its inaugural grant to establish the Revolving Loan Fund, a program aimed at bolstering local businesses and attracting new ventures to the community.

2001

Consolidated begins providing metered propane (CoGas), meeting another community need.

2002

Consolidated initiates The People Fund with the mission to support individuals who are in need and impactful organizations within our communities. Since its conception, The People Fund has provided over a million dollars in grants.

2006

Consolidated establishes a dedicated Economic Development Team to support local growth initiatives that would benefit Consolidated's communities.

2010

Consolidated becomes one of the first Ohio co-ops to implement Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI), giving us two-way communication with our meters, allowing for automatic meter reads and more efficient outage restoration.

2016

Consolidated launches Our Solar, becoming the first Ohio cooperative to offer a community solar program.

2017

Our fiber-to-the-home initiative takes telecommunications to new heights, enabling us to bring top-notch broadband to even our most rural members.

2018

In 2018, we consolidate all our services under the unified brand of Consolidated Cooperative.

Today

Consolidated continues to provide reliable, affordable electricity, natural gas, propane, and fiber-to-the-home internet to our members. We remain focused on safety and value as we seek out opportunities to serve our members and help make our communities increasingly great places to live and work.

Our Principles

The FUNdamentals of Co-op Life

The Cooperative difference encompasses how we treat our members, how we collaborate, and how we build community! Consolidated Cooperative is committed to the Seven (7) Cooperative Principles, which are the foundation for all cooperatives, across industries.

Welcome to Consolidated cooperative!

Lorem ipsum dolor sit ametr!

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi a dui vitae neque pretium fringilla id et est. Donec vitae ipsum a ligula pulvinar imperdiet. Sed dignissim lorem eu finibus elementum. Pellentesque a rhoncus velit, in tincidunt sapien. Quisque a posuere sem. Maecenas at sollicitudin erat. Aliquam ultrices dolor sed neque faucibus, faucibus tristique purus auctor. Aliquam ullamcorper est tortor, nec lacinia eros aliquet eget.

Donec risus lacus, porta vel tortor ullamcorper, dapibus fermentum libero. Duis convallis enim eget nulla tempus, ultricies bibendum mi mollis. In consectetur volutpat arcu nec cursus. Maecenas odio velit, euismod nec efficitur non, consectetur non dolor. Phasellus sodales accumsan purus, vel cursus neque convallis nec. Sed rutrum magna ac tortor lobortis mattis. Nam hendrerit sit amet velit sit amet sagittis. Cras molestie eu risus at bibendum. Phasellus euismod tellus eu quam posuere eleifend. Mauris blandit eu lacus dapibus malesuada.

orta vel tortor ullamcorper, dapibus fermentum libero. Duis convallis enim eget nulla tempus, ultricies bibendum mi mollis. In consectetur volutpat arcu nec cursus. Maecenas odio velit, euismod nec efficitur non, consectetur non dolor. Phasellus sodales accumsan purus, vel cursus neque convallis nec. Sed rutrum magna ac tortor lobortis mattis. Nam hendrerit sit amet velit sit amet sagittis. Cras molestie eu risus at bibendum

Our Vision

Consolidated will remain diligent in improving the exceptional value of the services we provide and the quality of the relationships we build, in supporting and encouraging the vitality of our communities, and in adapting to the evolving needs of our members.

Table of contents