Valley Electric Association

Overview

A Legacy Partnership with Powerful

Since 1965, Valley Electric Association (VEA) has exemplified the cooperative spirit by uniting four cooperatives to serve communities others overlooked. Guided by its mission to improve lives and build relationships, VEA has remained committed to transparency and forward-thinking leadership. To continue leading by example, VEA partnered with Powerful—returning to the team that designed their previous site—to create a modern, intuitive, and impactful redesign. The refreshed site aligns with VEA’s goals of increasing transparency and engagement while presenting a bold, future-ready image.

Uplifting Cooperative Principles with Modern Tools

A key priority for VEA’s redesign was to educate members about the cooperative model and highlight the 7 Cooperative Principles. One principle, Democratic Member Control, took center stage in communicating the upcoming 2025 Board of Directors election. With Powerful’s Springwater Promotional Blueprint, VEA prominently features election information in the hero section of its homepage. This feature combines a bold header, an engaging photo, a concise description, and a call-to-action button leading to a dedicated page with further details.

This strategic placement ensures the election message captures visitors’ attention immediately. By amplifying the principle of Democratic Member Control, VEA encourages active participation, reinforcing their commitment to member-driven governance. Members can quickly understand their role and easily navigate to learn more or take action, strengthening their connection to VEA’s democratic foundation.

Simplifying Engagement

The internal election page takes member participation a step further. Once visitors click the call-to-action button, they are guided to a page featuring a standout Board Candidate Election Form. This visitor-friendly form streamlines the nomination process, making it easy for members to express interest in leadership roles.

By lowering barriers to entry, the election form encourages greater engagement and increases the likelihood of participation. Powerful’s solution aligns with the principle of democratic member control, empowering members to take an active role in shaping their cooperative’s future. VEA’s members are not just passive consumers—they are decision-makers in their community’s governance.

Proactive Communication

Transparency is critical for VEA, especially in communicating power cost adjustments and billing updates—topics of high importance to members. Anticipating these needs, Powerful featured a dedicated section on the homepage, also utilizing the Springwater Promotional Blueprint. With a bold, eye-catching design, this section informs visitors about the latest updates, such as reductions in power cost adjusters due to favorable market conditions.

The call-to-action button directs members to an internal page powered by Powerful’s News Releases web app. VEA’s internal page for power cost updates is more than just a list of information—it’s a tool for connection. The News Releases app enables VEA to share timely, relevant updates while maintaining a professional yet approachable tone. With easy backend management, the app ensures that admins can quickly publish updates, keeping the site current without added stress.

The impact is clear: members have a reliable source for understanding billing changes, from reduced PCAs to insights into energy trends. By addressing concerns proactively, VEA strengthens its role as a trusted community partner.