CONNECTIONS JULY 2021 | THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF COBB ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
Upcoming events Annual Meeting The 83rd Annual Meeting will be held Sept. 18. Key dates and deadlines: • Aug. 13: Written notice must be received from any member who desires to exceed the 5-minute speaking limitation for Annual Meeting (Sec. 2.12). To learn more about the board elections process, visit cobbemc.com/elections.
Cobb EMC Community Foundation awards $70,000 in scholarships to local students The Cobb EMC Community Foundation awarded fourteen scholarships valued at $5,000 each to area high school seniors. The award can be applied to an accredited two- or four-year college or vocational-technical school.
NOTICE OF 2020 PATRONAGE CAPITAL ALLOCATION
A total of 258 applications were received from students with a primary residence served by Cobb EMC, and 14 finalists were chosen. The annual scholarship was created in 2014 and is funded and administered by the Cobb EMC Community Foundation.
Each member receiving electric service is hereby notified that for year 2020, Cobb EMC’s excess margins totaled $11,370,455.71. Each member can calculate the amount of assigned 2020 Patronage Capital by multiplying the total amount billed for electric service in 2020 by 2.70815611%.
“The Cobb EMC Community Foundation is funded through our generous members’ contributions to the Operation Roundup Program,” says Vickie Tardif, chairwoman, Cobb EMC Community Foundation Board. “We are honored to be able to use these funds to give back to local students in the form of scholarships.”
Capital credits are your individual portion of the cooperative’s profits beyond the costs of providing electricity. As a not-for-profit business, we exist to provide you reliable electricity – not to make a profit. When we have a good year and earn profits or margins, we assign capital credits to our members until the board approves them to be given back in the form of a bill credit or check. *Excludes taxes,Operation Round Up and other ancillary services.
Since 1981, $618,500 in scholarship dollars has been awarded to studentmembers in our community through a variety of scholarships. Congratulations to the 2021 Cobb EMC Community Foundation Scholarship recipients. • Ryan Alford, Kennesaw Mountain High School • Kevin Barron, Hillgrove High School • Bailey Chapin, Pope High School
• Kaylyn Ferguson, Wheeler High School • Noah Fornuto, River Ridge High School • Christian Gajadhar, Allatoona High School • Kaeden Hill, Campbell High School • Christianna Hornigold, Johnson Ferry Christian • Jacob Lee, Kennesaw Mountain High School • Frederick Reid McClain, Compass Prep Academy • Katie Mitchell, Harrison High School • Tyler Nichols, North Cobb Christian High School • Dawson Templin, Harrison High School • Robert Toler, East Paulding High School
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The value of co-op membership Cobb EMC is committed to providing reliable electric service and more. As a cooperative, we create meaningful programs that allow us to better serve our member-owners and the community, while operating to keep rates affordable. Learn about the benefits of being a co-op member. Advanced technology Our No. 1 priority is delivering reliable power to our members. In the event of an outage, our smart grid can automatically restore outages or reroute power resulting in a shorter outage. The smart grid communicates directly with smart meters connected to homes and knows, almost immediately, when you lose power. Convenience We want our members to have the best experience possible when managing their electric accounts. That’s why we offer services such as a free app, text and email alerts, payment options, rate choices and zero credit card fees. Value-driven Co-ops are different from other electric utilities because we operate under a set of core principles and values. Being member-owned and not-for-profit allows us to put the needs of our members first. Learn more about the seven cooperative principles at cobbemc.com/about. Stronger neighborhoods We’re committed to economic development for a better quality of life in the areas where our employees and members live. Our involvement with local entities, including the Cobb, Cherokee and Paulding chambers of commerce, helps retain business in the areas we serve. We also support small businesses through the Co-op Connections Program, which connects members to local discounts. To attract new growth and promote job retention in our service territory, we offer competitive rates, reliable service and customized solutions to businesses.
THE PROOF IS IN THE POWER
#1
in the nation for restoring outages quickly
TOP 10
in the state for LOW RATES
TOP 3
in the nation for reliability
Enhancing economic development strengthens our local economy, adds jobs, and creates stability in our community. Community support Giving back to the community that founded us is a priority. Through a variety of programs, we’re able to support education, assist neighbors in need and encourage new technology growth to make our community a better place. Additionally, our employees volunteer to give their time to local charities. Learn about our commitment to the community at cobbemc.com/community.
LEADERSHIP Kevan Espy Interim President & CEO cobbemc.com/aboutus
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CASH BACK TO MEMBERS CAPITAL CREDITS If you were a member in 2019, you’ll be receiving cash back on your bill. Cobb EMC is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, and any excess revenue that is received beyond the cost of doing business is eligible to be returned to you. This is known as capital credits. Learn more at cobbemc.com/capitalcredit.
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Tripper Sharp, Chairman Eric Broadwell, Vice Chairman Kelly Bodner, Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Boyd Edward Crowell David McClellan Malcolm Swanson David Tennant Rudy Underwood
CONTACT US Phone: 770-429-2100 Pay by phone: 1-855-730-8714 Web: cobbemc.com
Stay safe over Fourth of July As you enjoy the Fourth of July, keep your family safe by following some simple rules for celebrating with and near electricity. 1. Keep fireworks away from overhead power lines. If fireworks are legal in your community and you set them off yourself, keep them at least 10 feet from power lines and 35 feet from high-voltage wires. 2. Keep an eye on your grill. Whether it’s electric, gas or charcoal, do not leave a hot grill unattended, even for a few minutes. The intense heat can easily harm children or pets. Plus, if flames are involved, you need to be there if they get out of control. Cooking accidents are the leading cause of house fires. 3. If you need an extension cord to plug in your grill or another cooking appliance, do not use that cord on more than one device at a time. And do not plug extension cords into each other; they’re not designed for that. They can overheat and cause a fire. 4. Keep the grill, blender, TV and other appliances away from the pool and all water sources. Even if you’re a safe distance from the water, unplug the appliance as soon as you’re finished using it.
From the Cobb EMC family to yours, we’re wishing you a happy and safe Fourth of July!
5. Have a working fire extinguisher on hand. Cobb EMC offices will be closed July 5. Employees are always on call for emergencies. To report an outage by phone, call 770-429-2100. You can also report an outage online at cobbemc.com/outage or with the free Cobb EMC app.
BRIGHTENING OUR COMMUNITY
CELEBRATING HOSPITAL WEEK
SUPPORTING STEM EDUCATION
STUDENTS LEARN SOLAR
In honor of Hospital Week, Cobb EMC employees delivered bags to thank staff at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Urgent Care facility located in Kennesaw.
Cobb EMC invited fourth grade students at Baker Elementary School and Crabapple Elementary School to participate in an essay contest discussing a sustainable and clean energy future. Students wrote a one-page essay on the topic to compete for the STEM Award. A panel of judges selected a winner to receive a framed essay and a gift card.
In May, Cobb EMC sponsored the Solar Sprint Car Race at McCleskey Middle School to teach students about solar energy. Nearly 260 students designed, built and raced cars powered entirely by solar panels.
Learn more about our goal to spread happiness like electricity at cobbemc.com/voltsofjoy.
For more information on our Partners in Education program visit cobbemc.com/schools.
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Come to our member appreciation event and hear how we’re working to make your electric company more convenient and reliable. Plus, get free fair tickets!
Saturday, September 18 8-11:30 a.m. at Jim R. Miller Park 8-9:30 a.m.: member registration More info: cobbemc.com/annualmeeting For the safety of our employees and members, we will be following CDC guidelines during CobbEMC Newsletter 8.5x5_Mr.Meter Desk_March_2021_BLEEDS.pdf 1 1/6/2021 9:47:28 AM the event.
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