Fall Employee Newsletter

Between THE LINES

WELCOME TO THE FALL ISSUE OF OUR EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER!

We hope the newsletter keeps you informed on employee and member updates. You will receive Between the Lines every three months. Each issue will feature employee anniversaries, birthdays, upcoming meetings and events, and more.

We want to hear from you!

Do you have information to include in the newsletter or ideas to improve communication? Send feedback, information, and photos to Jade at jadeg@butlerrural.coop.

October is here, which means it’s National Co-op Month! Co-op Month is the perfect time to celebrate our unique business model and tell others about the benefits cooperatives bring to our communities.

You don’t have to be an expert on the co-op business model or the electric utility industry to share the value our co-op brings to our community.

Below are some helpful talking points you can share with friends, family, neighbors, or even that person standing next to you in the line at the grocery store. Put on your co-op logo gear and get ready to be a champion for Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.

We’re all about community. Our co-op was founded to serve the local community when others wouldn’t. We work hard to deliver reliable, affordable energy to our members.

We’re focused on improving quality of life. We remain relevant by providing essential services that can improve the quality of life for members.

We’re ready for the future. Our co-op is striving to anticipate and plan for the future needs of our members and the communities we serve. We have

invested in programs like Butler Rural Community Solar and have built electric vehicle charging infrastructure to meet these needs.

We’re all about member satisfaction and service to the community. Each year, a portion of our excess revenue is returned to members as a benefit of membership. We make it easy for members to improve their communities through programs like Butler Rural Community Connection

We’re committed to education. Today’s electric utility industry is complex, which makes it more critical to equip our staff and leaders with the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources needed to help our co-op thrive.

We’re more than an energy provider. Because of our business model, we are a catalyst for good that spurs prosperity for our community.

We want our members to love our electric coop as much as we do! Together, let’s share the cooperative spirit by spreading the word about National Co-op Month and all the good things Butler Rural Electric Cooperative does to better our community.

Take Advantage of the National Discounts Program

Did you know NRECA’s National Discounts Program, or NDP, can be used to purchase more than bucket trucks and office supplies? The program includes a variety of offerings exclusively available to co-op employees, so you can take advantage of the savings, too.

How it works

NDP is a consortium that leverages the collective buying power of electric co-ops to obtain pricing discounts from a variety of national suppliers. Co-op employees can access the NDP page on cooperative.com to view product and service discounts from over 100 participating businesses.

What it offers co-op employees

While the main purpose of the program is to provide for a co-op’s daily business needs, NDP offers a variety of discount programs that extend to personal use.

Here are just a few you can take advantage of:

> NDP doesn’t just offer discounts on fleet

vehicles; they also provide secured employee discounts with FCS Fiat Chrysler Automotive, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors. You can find these deals by visiting the National Discounts Program page and selecting the “Vehicles & Equipment” filter.

> Looking for gifts? You can find great discounts on flowers, cookies, fruit baskets, personalized gifts, event tickets, and more when you visit the National Discounts Program page and select the “Entertainment” filter.

> Need a place to stay or a rental car for your next trip? NDP has you covered with discounts from a variety of hotel chains and rental car companies. Visit the National Discounts Program page and select the “Travel” filter.

The next time you’re looking for the perfect gift, planning a trip, or thinking about purchasing a new car, make sure to visit the National Discounts Program page on cooperative.com to see how the program can benefit you!

Save at Hueston Woods Resort with Co-op Connections!

Use Co-op Connections discounts to save 10% on one meal at Hueston Woods Resort! Co-op Connections provides employees and members with exclusive ways to save. The free membership has countless benefits. Create a free Co-op Connections account and find more local deals at connections.coop or download the free Co-op Connections app.

Hueston Woods Resort

5201 Lodge Road College Corner, Ohio 45003

Holiday

WELCOMING NEW COMMUNITY CONNECTION BOARD MEMBER

In September, we welcomed Monica Neeley to the Butler Rural Community Connection Board of Trustees. Monica lives in Crosby Township and has been a cooperative member for 13 years.

Five Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members serve on the Community Connection board of trustees. Board members live in different areas of the cooperative’s service territory and have diverse backgrounds and experiences. These members volunteer their time to serve on the Community Connection board and have a drive to do something positive for the community. Monica filled a vacancy on the Community

Connection board after Ann Munafo moved out of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s service territory. We thank Ann for her time and commitment to the Community Connection program.

The fall Community Connection grant recipients are on our website, butlerrural.coop > Community > Community Outreach > Community Connection and will be in the November issue of Ohio Cooperative Living magazine.

Above, Butler Rural Community Connection board members. From left, Tom Laming, Janet Jewell, John Hofmann, Monica Neeley, and Don Kidd.

IT'S capital credits SEASON

Among the many differences cooperatives offer members, one big difference stands out this time of year — capital credits.

Unlike investor-owned utilities that maximize profits to pay shareholders, our not-for-profit cooperative provides electricity at cost. Members receive capital credits because they're owners of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. Capital credits represent this ownership and are one of the most unique and rewarding benefits of being co-op members.

How capital credits work

At the end of each year, we subtract our operating expenses from the amount of money collected from members paying their electric bills. The money left is called margins. Margins are based on the amount members paid for electric service and are deposited into their capital credits account at the end of the year. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative uses allocated margins to build and maintain our electric infrastructure by purchasing materials and equipment like poles and wires. These funds serve a vital function and allow the cooperative to operate economically and effectively while investing in the infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of our members.

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative's board of trustees evaluates the financial stability of the co-op each year to determine if we can retire capital credits. When the co-op retires capital credits, we withdraw margins from members capital credits accounts and send them as a check or as a credit on their bill. The capital credits amount members receive is based on the amount they paid for electric service during the years of capital credits retirement.

Capital credits are an investment in Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. They allow the co-op to continue to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric service.

We're retiring almost $2 million in capital credits this year!

This month, members who received electricity from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative in 2005, 2006, and 2021 may receive capital credits checks or credits on their electric bill.

Checks will be issued Nov. 14 and are mailed from St. Louis, MO. It may take at least two weeks for members to receive a capital credits check through the mail. If members chose to apply their capital credits to their electric bill, they will be applied Nov. 3

CAPITAL CREDITS NOTICES

Members will receive a variety of capital credits notices from us over the next few months. These notices are listed on the following pages.

APPLY CAPITAL CREDITS TO BILL EMAILS

These emails let members know they can apply capital credits to their electric bill instead of receiving a capital credits check. The email below is from

will be updated and sent to paperless members with capital credits over

BOARD APPROVES ANNUAL WAGE INCREASE

During the September board meeting, the board of trustees approved an annual wage increase of 4% for all positions beginning January 2023. We have a very supportive board of trustees. If you have the opportunity, please extend your thanks.

APPLY CAPITAL CREDITS TO BILL EMAILS

These emails let members know they can apply capital credits to their electric bill instead of receiving a capital credits check. The email below is from 2021. It will be updated and sent to members with capital credits over $20 October 11.

CALENDARS COMING IN DECEMBER!

The 2023 calendars will be included with the December issue of Ohio Cooperative Living magazine. These are usually in the November issue, but will be later this year due to paper shortages. Calendars will also be available in our office in December.

CAPITAL CREDITS CHECKS IN THE MAIL EMAILS

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Debbie Carley, who accepted a new position as Operations Office Supervisor.

Debbie has been dedicated to the cooperative for the past 35 years serving in various positions. Her valuable experience in work order processing, among other responsibilities, has made Debbie a vital part of the operations department since moving to her current position as Engineering and Operations Coordinator in 2017.

Congratulations, Debbie!

CAPITAL CREDITS CHECKS INSERT – ACTIVE NON-COPA MEMBERS

The letter below is included with capital credits checks to active members who are not members of ACRE Co-op Owners for Political Action, or COPA. The letter asks members to consider investing a portion of their capital credits in COPA to help protect the cooperative business model. Checks are mailed November 14.

Consider helping us preserve the cooperative business model, which gives you the benefit of capital credits checks, and help us hold down your energy costs by becoming part of ACRE Co-op Owners for Political Action, or COPA. Being part of the political process is key to maintaining our business model status as a cooperative, which ensures you continue receiving capital credits checks for years to come. It helps us continue to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric service while holding down energy costs.

Support elected officials who:

COPA gives you, the member-owner, a voice on behalf of your cooperative. COPA is our best tool to maintain the attention of decision makers, both in Ohio and Washington, D.C., who are working on issues and regulations affecting energy.

of

With your support, we can strengthen our political voice in Washington, D.C., and let legislators know their decisions directly impact you. For just $25 per year, or $2.08 per month, you can be part of the voice. We ask that you consider reinvesting a portion of your capital credits check to strengthen your voice and help preserve the cooperative business model. Fill out the form below and mail it to the cooperative’s office in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If you wish to return a check with the form below, please make checks payable to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.

Organizations, businesses, and corporations are not eligible to participate in COPA. By filling out the form

you confirm that your contribution has been made

COPA Member

per month

Protect

Century Club COPA Member

per month ($100 per year)

President’s Club COPA Member

per month ($500 per year)

amount

and jobs when making energy laws

after

YOU GET THE CHECK

INSERT – ACTIVE COPA MEMBERS

.

As a member-owner of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, you receive capital credits checks based on your past patronage.

Abiding by one of the Seven Cooperative Principles, Members’ Economic Participation, the board of trustees determines the retirement of capital credits to our members based on the cooperative’s financial stability. Capital credits are one of many differences that set cooperatives apart from other business models.

Your capital credits check is enclosed.

Thank you for your patronage and for your loyal support of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.

Why you’re receiving a capital credits check:

1

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit organization owned by our member-consumers. The money to cover day-to-day operating costs comes directly from members paying their monthly electric bills.

At the end of the year, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative subtracts the cooperative’s operating expenses from the amount of money collected and the remaining balance is called the margin.

3

The margins left at the end of the year were allocated, or assigned, to your capital credits account based on your patronage. Your patronage is the amount of money you pay for your electric service each year.

Your capital credits account, similar to a bank account, is the accumulation of margins that were allocated to you based on your patronage. At the end of each year, the cooperative deposited your allocated patronage into your capital credits account.

This year, the cooperative withdrew margins from your capital credits account and sent them to you in the form of a check, based on the board of trustees’ decision to retire capital credits.

As a previous member of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, you’re receiving a capital credits check based on your past patronage. Abiding by one of the Seven Cooperative Principles, Members’ Economic Participation, the board of trustees determines the retirement of capital credits based on the cooperative’s financial stability. Capital credits are one of the many differences that set cooperatives apart from other business models.

It’s important to update the cooperative of your current address. If the capital credits check has been written to a loved one who has passed away, please contact the cooperative’s office for information on the capital credits estate

Why you’re receiving a capital credits check:

1

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit organization owned by our members. The money to cover day-to-day operating costs comes from members paying their monthly electric bills.

At the end of the year, the cooperative subtracts operating expenses from the amount of money collected and the remaining balance is called the margin.

The margins left at the end of the year were allocated, or assigned, to your capital credits account based on your patronage. Your patronage is the amount of money you paid for your electric service each year.

Your capital credits account is similar to a bank account. It is the accumulation of margins that were allocated to you based on your patronage. The cooperative deposited your patronage into your capital credits account at the end of each year.

The cooperative withdrew margins from your capital credits account and sent them to you in the form of a check this year.

CAPITAL CREDITS – ZERO BALANCE COMMUNICATION

The postcard below is sent to past members who should have received their last capital credits check from us. This will be sent December 2.

You should have received your last capital credits check from us.

As a previous member-owner of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, you have been receiving capital credits checks based on your past patronage.

Abiding by one of the Seven Cooperative Principles, Members’ Economic Participation, the board of trustees determines the retirement of capital credits based on the cooperative’s financial stability. Capital credits are one of many differences that set cooperatives apart from other business models.

At this time, your capital credits account has been paid in full and you will no longer receive capital credits checks or statements from us. If you have not received your capital credits check, please contact the cooperative’s office by calling 513-867-4400 or 800-255-2732.

Promptly cashing the check is appreciated. Thank you for your support of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.

Congratulations!

Lisa Staggs Herrmann has announced her retirement as of January 4, 2023. Lisa has been with the cooperative for 35 years and has been involved in the development, growth, and success of the cooperative during her career. We are happy and excited for Lisa and wish her the very best as she embarks on the next stage of her life.

Congratulations, Lisa!

Lisa Staggs Herrmann

Celebrating high member satisfaction

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative completes member satisfaction surveys each year. Member responses are sent to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, or ACSI, a company that measures customer satisfaction across multiple industries throughout the United States. ACSI is one of the oldest and most highly regarded industry satisfaction studies.

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative received an ACSI score of 88 out of a maximum score of 100 this year. This is one of the highest scores in the nation

among utilities measured by the ACSI.

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is rated most positively for our employees being friendly, courteous, highly trained, and professional, and for having convenient payment options.

The attribute on which the co-op is rated least well is charging reasonable rates. Thank you for helping the co-op achieve a high ACSI score!

HOW WE COMPARE

WHO OUR MEMBERS ARE

Four in ten members fall into the Cost-Conscious Supporter segment, meaning that while energy efficiency and the environment are important to them, cost will be the driving factor for whatever steps they take. These members are always looking for ways to save money. That's why they are highly motivated to conserve.

The next largest segment is Environmental Champions, which includes 21% of our membership. For these members, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the environment are very important and they think people should be doing whatever they can to help. These members believe climate change is a serious problem and everyone must do their part to combat it. These members believe we need to do all we can to help the planet now for the benefit of future generations.

16% of our members are Complacent Consumers

– they don't have strong opinions about climate change, renewable energy, or energy efficiency. Although they know there are things they can do to be more energy efficient, they have no plans to do so.

Next, 13% of our members are Low-Tech Skeptics. These members prefer the human touch and feel they deal with way too many gadgets. They feel strongly that the threat of climate change is overstated and renewable energy sources are too expensive.

Finally, 10% of members are Pro-Tech Skeptics – they are early adopters of technology and someone others turn to for technology advice. These members feel strongly that their electric cooperative should stick to coal and not invest in renewable energy sources.

Upcoming events

NOVEMBER

Our