Closing another chapter.

Where did 2010 go?

It seems that every year, co-op leaders are facing more and more challenges requiring our careful thought and attention. Today's issues are evolving more rapidly than ever before, and NRECA is working diligently to keep you informed in the timeliest manner possible. Beginning in 2011, the traditional MQ hardcopy 4 issues a year delivery will transition to more effectively address the increasing need for timely information. In the future, management, leadership and governance issues will be addressed in a variety of new formats, delivering the information that you need, when you need it. Look for feature articles on cooperative.com and special sections in RE Magazine later this year.

In the meantime, we'll cover a broad range of topics in this issue.

NRECA Board Chairman Wally Wolski and NRECA's Director of Grassroots Advocacy Randy Dwyer give us insight on how we, as electric cooperatives, can most effectively leverage our political strength for the benefit of our members and our communities.

Part of that effectiveness is surely the art of civil discourse. It often seems0 in short supply these days, but as Dr. Francine McNairy, President of Millersville University, shares, it is something that we must all work to bring back into the American lexicon--and who better to do that than the business model that puts its members first?

Dan Brown touches on facilities maintenance--one of those subjects that we can all take for granted, but is absolutely critical to maintaining system reliability, and the attorneys from Autry, Horton & Cole are back to discuss the issue of transparency in our cooperative governance.

And speaking of governance, Bruce Martinson, a director of Sioux Valley Energy, shares his unique and thought-provoking perspective on the governance role In The Boardroom.

All of this comes your way, as it has for so many years, because of the work of dedicated people "behind the scenes" who have made it all possible. Because this is our final issue in this format, credit must be given where it is undeniably due: to all the people who have quietly yet steadfastly worked together to give life to this publication. To all of you: Thanks for everything!

And to our loyal readers, the closing of this chapter is by no means the end of the story. We look forward to continuing this dialogue in the years to come.