Join Us to Mobilize Veterans & Military Spouses to Empower Communities in Suburban and Rural America

America’s Cooperatives Working Together to Empower Veterans and Military Spouses

To learn more about Serve Our Co-ops; Serve Our Country and how your co-op can join the coalition, visit ServeVets.coop America’s Electric Cooperatives

9%1.6 MILLIONFEMALE =

or91%

20.2 MILLIONMALE =

or

22MILLION

VETERANSin the

United States

Approximately 40% of all military recruits are from rural America

Less than 30% of post-9/11 veteran recruits go back to rural America after service

POST-9/11 VETERAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE:

16.2%

SOUR

CE: B

LS 2

014

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR ALL VETERANS: 5.3%

Overview and VisionServe Our Co-ops; Serve Our Country is a nationwide initiative to honor and employ veterans, military service members and their spouses. The program focuses on providing resources and training to help co-ops implement nationally-recognized best practices in attracting, hiring, onboarding and retaining veterans. The second priority of this program is to honor and care for the veterans who live in our local communities. The initiative will reinforce co-op support and involvement with local veteran communities and promote resources that are geared toward helping veterans re-enter the workforce.

The Future of Our WorkforceAs current utility workers retire at an accelerated rate over the next decade, co-ops will face new challenges finding skilled workers, attracting them to their local communities and retaining them for a career of service. With an estimated 14, 400 jobs becoming available over the next five to seven years and approximately 200,000 U.S. service members transitioning out of the military every year, electric cooperatives have a great opportunity to tap into this highly skilled workforce.

Connecting military veterans with America’s electric cooperatives to build a next-generation workforce that meets the technical and leadership demands of the 21st Century

SERVE Our Co-ops Serve Our Country

I found the definition of a co-op to be very similar to that of the military; United to serve, democratic, voluntary.”Blair Cirulli, Army Sergeant, served in Afghanistan; Communication Specialist at NOVEC in Va.

9%1.6 MILLIONFEMALE =

or91%

20.2 MILLIONMALE =

or

22MILLION

VETERANSin the

United States

Approximately 40% of all military recruits are from rural America

Less than 30% of post-9/11 veteran recruits go back to rural America after service

POST-9/11 VETERAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE:

16.2%

SOUR

CE: B

LS 2

014

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR ALL VETERANS: 5.3%

BORNThe training, experience and knowledge of these brave women and men ties in perfectly with our cooperative principles and translates into valuable skills that benefit civilian employers. 

to Serve

Join the CoalitionHighlight your commitment to employing veterans by becoming a part of this collaborative effort to solve

America’s workforce challenge. You’ll be assisting veterans with their re-entry into civilian life and providing

them with a unique opportunity to work for a community-dedicated employer in an exciting industry.

By participating in Serve Our Co-ops; Serve Our Country, you will be better positioned to

increase your veteran workforce and utilize their talents to achieve your mission.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

RESPECT

MISSION-DRIVEN

DISCIPLINE

TRAINED FOR SAFETY

STRONG WORK ETHIC

TECH-SAVVY

PUNCTUALITYTEAMWORK

ACCOUNTABILITYABILITY TO WORK UNDER PRESSURE

Cooperatives and military organizations are both voluntary in nature and both appreciate autonomy and independence.

Respect for procedures, care about community and strong organizational commitment are equally valued by both military and cooperatives.

Why should you hire a vet?SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES INTANGIBLE BENEFITS• Build good will with members and community• Reinforce co-op culture and core values • Co-op compliance with federal regulation

9%1.6 MILLIONFEMALE =

or91%

20.2 MILLIONMALE =

or

22MILLION

VETERANSin the

United States

Approximately 40% of all military recruits are from rural America

Less than 30% of post-9/11 veteran recruits go back to rural America after service

POST-9/11 VETERAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE:

16.2%

SOUR

CE: B

LS 2

014

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR ALL VETERANS: 5.3%

The coalition will help its member cooperatives exchange best practices in recruiting veterans, share details about strong candidates and discuss challenges to placing veterans in jobs. As a member of the coalition, you will:

Have the opportunity to collaborate with other coalition members and to reinforce the cooperative principle of “cooperation among cooperatives”

Achieve public visibility, enhance veterans’ awareness of co-ops and be nationally-recognized as a military- friendly employer

Be a part of a collective impact on the veterans unemployment challenge while gaining valuable employees

Gain access to our veteran employment tools, recruiting strategies and training programs

Have opportunities to network and build relationships with the coalition’s national partners

Become a part of a local network dedicated to empowering veteran communities

Working for a co-op is going to give you that sense of reliability and sense of duty that you had in the Army, as well as a team atmosphere to help you accomplish your goals and get the job done.” Brandon Reuter, Cybersecurity Specialist in the Army, served in Afghanistan; AMI/IT Technician at Wheat Belt Public Power District in Neb.

Benefits of Joining the Coalition

ServeVets.coop

Join Us to Mobilize Veterans & Military Spouses to Empower Communities in Suburban and Rural America

America’s Cooperatives Working Together to Empower Veterans and Military Spouses

To learn more about Serve Our Co-ops; Serve Our Country and how your co-op can join the coalition, visit ServeVets.coop America’s Electric Cooperatives

YOUR ROADMAP TO JOINING THE

COALITION

Submit a quick and simple application on our website ServeVets.coop to initiate the conversation with our team

You’ll receive our welcome message and member pledge

Sign the Serve Our Co-ops; Serve Our Country pledge

Follow the easy steps in our Get-Prepared, Get-Started and Get-Connected guides

Sign up for a training program

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Jason understands his purpose, his role. He’s just an outstanding employee and when he joined the United family, he fit like a glove to hand.”Ray Beavers, CEO of United Cooperative Services about his veteran hire, Jason Forbis

Join Us to Mobilize Veterans & Military Spouses to Empower Communities in Suburban and Rural America

America’s Cooperatives Working Together to Empower Veterans and Military Spouses

To learn more about Serve Our Co-ops; Serve Our Country and how your co-op can join the coalition, visit ServeVets.coop America’s Electric Cooperatives

You’re trained for dedication, selflessness, to know that there is no obstacle you can’t overcome. You always look for a way to finish the job.”Jason Forbis, Army Sergeant, served in Iraq; Lineman at United Cooperative Services in Texas.

Communicate your co-op’s commitment to employing veterans and military spouses

Participate in your state’s veteran working group or start one in your community

Ask your employees to help lead a co-op-wide effort to employ more veterans and military spouses

Track the number of veterans and military spouses you employ

Now that you’ve joined the coalition,

GET STARTED

ServeVets.coop