AEC’s Member Guide Takes First Place in National Communications Contest. Alfalfa Electric Cooperative’s redesigned “Member Guide” has earned top honors in a national contest, taking first place in the Brochures/Pamphlets — One-Time Publications category at the Cooperative Communicators Association’s (CCA) 2026 awards ceremony. The award was presented to CHELSEY GUFFY, AEC’s director of public relations and communications, during the CCA Institute held May 31-June 2 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This year’s contest drew nearly 400 entries from professional communicators representing cooperatives across the United States and Canada — making the recognition especially meaningful.CCA judges didn’t hold back their praise. One reviewer called the redesign “a 180 from the previous version,” noting how the new guide transformed a text-heavy publication into something visual, modern, and genuinely useful for members. Judges specifically highlighted the guide’s clear calls to action — helping members understand how to get involved in the annual meeting, make payments, and know what to do during an outage. Perhaps the highest compliment: Judges said it’s a guide “new members actually may read” — and one they’ll want to keep handy for future questions. The goal from the start was simple: make it easier for members to understand the value of their cooperative membership and how to use it. Judging by the response, that goal was met. Congratulations, Chelsey, on a well-deserved win — and on representing AEC so well on a national stage.