Now known as the Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA), this organization was formed following a communicators’ conference in 1953 at the University of Minnesota. It was organized as the Cooperative Editorial Association (CEA).

Today CCA has a membership of 350 cooperative communicators from the United States, England and Canada. Membership is open to anyone interested in cooperative communications, not just those working at cooperatives.

Its first official Institute was held in 1954 at the University of Wisconsin. Thirty-one years later in 1985, at an Institute held in Chicago, its members adopted new Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation and changed the name to the Cooperative Communicators Association.

These changes were made in recognition of the broadened scope of responsibilities that many co-op communicators have today and the changing structure of the co-ops that these communicators serve.

CCA seeks to help its members develop skills in many areas of expertise: writing, editing, design, speechwriting, audio visual production and related areas. CCA is expanding its evaluations and awards programs to embrace the wider range of membership that the organization now serves.

In 1959, CCA instituted an award as a memorial to H.E. Klinefelter, a charter member of the organization. It is given to cooperative communicator members whose work is considered by their peers to be outstanding. The list of Klinefelter Award winners is impressive.

In 1977, CCA instituted the Michael Graznak Award, as a memorial to an outstanding young member who met an untimely death. It honors members age 35 or under who have made superior contributions to co-op communications and who show promise of having a brilliant and successful future.

In 1987, a Job Bank Service was begun. The purpose of this program is to provide a source of job openings for CCA members as well as a source of potential employees for cooperatives.

In 1989, work was begun on a Policy and Procedures Manual. The result of this effort was a set of standard operating procedures that could be passed along to future Boards and Committees, thus shortening the amount of time devoted to trying to determine past procedures.

In 1990, a project that had been in the works for several years was brought into existence with the creation of a regional structure for CCA. Six regions were approved by members at the 1990 Annual Institute.

In 1991, the membership voted to consolidate CCA headquarters functions of Editor, Executive Secretary and Treasurer into one position. The new title of Executive Director became effective in June 1991, and CCA’s headquarters were soon relocated from Springfield, Mo., to Austin, Texas.

In 1992, CCA instituted its CEO Outstanding Communicator of the Year Award. The Award recognizes the commitment of a cooperative chief executive officer to open communications as an integral part of an effective management style.

Also in 1992, CCA’s headquarters were relocated to Lubbock, Texas, under the same Executive Director.

In 1993, a working copy of the Policy and Procedures Manual begun in 1989 was placed on file in the CCA headquarters.

During 1994, a Resource Library Task Force Committee was appointed to set guidelines for filing important documents of interest to all CCA members. The first phase of collecting materials included a listing of contest winners and permanent CCA corporate files. It was suggested that the catalog be uploaded on a network or that CCA consider developing its own network to house the resource library.

In 1995, in an effort to enhance communications between CCA’s leadership and Committee Chairs, the Board instituted a new program of oversight. The program gave each Board Director specific charge for communicating Board discussion, action and expectations by structuring a Board Liaison system.

"CCA has been a great blessing to my career. Everyone is like an encyclopedia of information. That right there is worth membership to me."
- Heather Berry

"Aside from being a great professional development resource, CCA and the board are lots of fun. I have a book full of great memories. At Institutes and at board meetings we work hard, but we also play hard."
- Lani Jordan

"Networking is the number one reason for being a member of CCA. There is a broad range of cooperative information available to anyone, anytime. You very quickly solidify bonds with people that you would never have met otherwise."
- Anita Travis Richter

"CCA is the best organization to belong to. There is a tremendous amount of information at the annual Institutes and if I ever have a question or need to bounce an idea off someone I can pick up the phone and call. Members of CCA become life-long friends who I can call upon any time and they can do the same."
- Clair Smith

"It is refreshing to have people who are also communicators, sharing what they are doing. Communicators are directed in their interests. CCA has some great communicators, just to name a few, Lani Jordan, Cathy Merlo, Sheryle Meshke, and Patty Miller. I could list many more."
- David Lundquist

"The relationships I have formed are the most valuable thing I have gained through CCA. If I ever need help with anything, I can just pick up the phone and there is always someone there for me. Since I work in a one-person marketing/communications department, it's nice to have someone there. Plus, its nice to have such talented professionals in your corner."
- Teri Ditsch

"I always come back from a CCA meeting with my batteries charged. The speakers always jack me up and give me ideas to do a better job. There's a uniquely strong bond between members - you could talk shop and pick up new ideas."
- Jim Erickson

"Regardless of the cooperative, many of the same communication rules apply. If I ever need an answer to a specific question, I have a great information network at my disposal 24 hours a day, Every day of the year. I've gained most of my professional aspects and experience through my membership in CCA, especially the institute."
- Donna Abernathy

"Being involved in CCA is a tremendous educational experience. Averaging it out, dues come to approximately $8 per month, plus the added experience of cooperative members the total value of annual dues is 100-fold. Being a member, you learn the invaluable tips and tricks of the trade and you are given amazing leadership opportunities."
- Mark Bagby

"Leadership is a concept difficult for me to define. I think it means moving something, in concert with others, in a positive direction. By becoming involved in CCA committees I observed talented professionals who taught me leadership skills and gave me opportunities to use those skills."
- Jim Brownlee

To lead CCA and its membership toward the use of advanced information technology, the organization launched its own home page on the Internet in 1996. Plans are for the page to provide a means of networking through e-mail lists, links to other home pages and a cooperative news service. The phrase Cooperative InterNetwork came to life.

In 1997, the InterNetwork Committee revamped CCA’s Web site, making it more interactive by including valuable resources for CCA members, providing a co-op news service, creating CCA News online and featuring a bulletin board for exchanging messages with other CCA members. The Web site also features CCA’s membership Directory, Institute information, contest information and handbook articles.

CCA’s regions had one of their busiest years ever, with virtually every region conducting at least one activity. CCA also implemented its new Fellowship Program and two active CCA members received financial assistance to attend the Institute in St. Louis. And finally, the Board developed new vision and mission statements and set goals that would help guide the organization for the 1997-98 year and beyond.

Planning and research were the hallmarks of CCA’s 1997-98 year. In the later part of 1997, a professional research firm was hired to establish tools for CCA members to use in measuring their contributions to the cooperative’s bottom line. In addition, a CCA Research Committee established benchmarks for determining the level of involvement by CCA members in CCA Committees, activities and programs. The Board began 1998 with a Strategic Planning session using an outside facilitator to build on the vision and mission statements set by the previous year’s Board.

Enhancing member communication and education opportunities were top priorities for CCA in 1998-99. The Shirley K. Sullivan Fund was established to give cooperative communicators financial assistance to attend their educational and professional development pursuits. The Fund, administered by the Cooperative Development Foundation, took its first applications for grants in June 1999 and will offer grant opportunities twice a year. A listserv was also established during the year to enhance communications with members across the country. Members, through a single e-mail, can seek assistance, gather information or get a word of encouragement from the entire CCA membership. Plans were also begun to prepare CCA files for permanent archiving, and a Committee was established to plan CCA’s 50th anniversary in 2003.

The 1999-2000 year will be remembered as one where the visibility and credibility of CCA were elevated throughout both the national co-op arena and the communications profession. Increased interaction and cooperation with other Associations and groups having similar values and interests marked the year. CCA will continue to explore mutually beneficial strategic alliances with other organizations.

Communication outreach included letters and conversations with key leaders at National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Cooperative Business Association, Association of Cooperative Educators, The Cooperative Foundation and with others where it appeared CCA might forge stronger relationships benefiting both parties. That included outreaches to a few cooperative centers and state cooperative organizations.

Requests for a list of speakers and their expertise and experience followed the outreach to organizations. This led to the establishment of a CCA Speakers Bureau.

Another result of this outreach was a grant from The Cooperative Foundation, which funded CCA scholarships and the fellowship to the 2000 Institute. Also, CCA granted its first educational scholarship resulting from the Shirley K. Sullivan Fund.

During this year, CCA began a new-member mentoring program. Each mentor works with an assigned new member to help that member feel a part of CCA.

In 2002, the Board established a Region of the Year Award as well as an Outstanding Leader Award to recognize a CCA member who had done extraordinary work for the Association.

In February 2003, the Board establishes the Master Cooperative Communicator program (MCC), under the Professional Development Committee, to provide a certificate of achievement to individuals who have demonstrated that they have mastered the knowledge and skills necessary to communicate on behalf of cooperatives.

In June 2003, CCA kicked off a two-year 50th anniversary celebration in Madison, Wisconsin by honoring CCA pioneers and leaders. A book was created celebrating CCA’s 50 years. The celebration concluded in Louisville, Ky., at the June 2004 Institute with consideration of “The Next 50 Years” for CCA.

Three committees—Editorial Advisory, Handbook and InterNetwork—were merged to form the Member Resources Committee in June 2003. This Committee reviewed budgets, the Web site, newsletter and handbook, and the work of those providing these services. The committee recommended that CCA News become an electronic newsletter. In January 2004, CCA News begins publication in its electronic format.

In June 2005 the Nominating Committee made provisions for electronic voting for Board Directors.

The Board begins a rebranding process for CCA in November 2007, and a new CCA logo and tagline (Learn. Laugh. Lead) are chosen in April 2008, and unveiled at the 2008 Annual Institute.

Major changes in CCAs management came in 2007 when long-time Executive Director Susie Bullock announced she was leaving and the transition plan was enacted. The Heuser Group, an association management company, led by Pat Heuser and her staff began providing services as the CCA Business Office in September 2008, from Bellefonte, Penn.

The Board uses online-only election voting in April 2009, with no voting at the 2009 Annual Institute.

In June 2009 the Board approves and implements a new Work Plan and volunteer structure, with major reorganization of committees and creating several short-term task force committees to study specific needs.

CCA members voted to move the fiscal year from July 1 – June 31 to January 1 – December 31. A six-month fiscal year ends December 31, 2009, and the new fiscal year begins January 1, 2010. This will better align the membership and Institute for financial reporting.

Throughout its history, CCA has had high appeal to communicators from all types of cooperatives — rural and urban, large and small. Each year the Annual Institute is a highlight, a rallying point for members. They gather to take a critical look at their own work and to see the work of others. It is a time for judging and awards. More than that, it is a time to redefine and sharpen communications skills.

CCA is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors. Three Directors are elected each year at the Annual Institute for three-year terms. The Board then elects a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer from among the Directors. Directors are limited to two, three-year terms.

As professional cooperative communicators, members will find CCA to be the organization best suited to serve the needs and goals they pursue. Membership in CCA will reinforce the status of professional communicators as key players on the management team.

Updated March 2010