LEADING THE WAY
For many teens, the Washington Youth Tour is full of “firsts.” It may be their first time leaving Georgia, flying on a plane, or being away from their family for a week. This year’s tour was also the first time two Jackson EMC employees served as chaperones.
Scott Burley and Siboney Jimenez, dedicated employees who volunteer their time locally, were selected to chaperone 112 student delegates from Georgia. Scott is a system control coordinator in Jefferson and Siboney is a bilingual communication coordinator in Oakwood. Both are dedicated to their community and enjoy new experiences. For Siboney, the trip included several “firsts,” including her first visit to the nation’s capital.
The 11 chaperones from Georgia ensured the safety and well-being of the students throughout the trip. They coordinated activities, supervised tours and events, and helped when needed.
Chaperones play an important role on the Washington Youth Tour – they often become mentors and role models for
aspiring young leaders. Many continue to connect with delegates long after the tour, supporting them through graduations, careers and community leadership roles.
The tour offers students a meaningful opportunity to learn about our nation’s history, the role of cooperatives and how they can make a difference. These students return ready to take on leadership roles in their schools and communities. That’s incredibly inspiring!
Supporting Scott and Siboney on this year’s tour is an honor for Jackson EMC and reflects the caliber of employees
Apply for a Bright Ideas Grant Calling All Innovative Middle School Teachers:
Are you a middle school teacher with an innovative idea for your classroom? Jackson EMC’s Bright Ideas grant program is taking applications for projects up to $2,000.
• Deadline: Apply by September 3.
• Eligibility: State-certified sixth through eighth-grade teachers in Jackson EMC’s service area.
• Subjects: Open to all academic areas, including math, science, art, technology, health and physical education.
Since 2015, Jackson EMC has awarded more than $550,000 in Bright Ideas Grants to local educators.
at your cooperative. For a week, the families of student delegates entrusted chaperones to lead the way to many firsts, like meeting fellow students from other states or talking to their senators.
This opportunity allowed both students and our employees to grow, learn and be inspired. As these young leaders return to their schools with new insights and motivation, we’re proud to have played a part in their journey.
Have a story to share about our role in developing young leaders? Share it with me at chip@jacksonemc.com
CHIP JAKINS President & CEO
Jackson EMC employees Siboney Jimenez and Scott Burley served as chaperones on the Washington Youth Tour.
Annual Meeting Notice
TO MEMBERS
SAVE THE DATE:
JACKSON EMC’S ANNUAL MEETING
September 19, 2024, at 5:00 PM
Jackson EMC | Jefferson, Georgia
Boxed supper, prizes and entertainment
Dear Member,
Official notice is hereby given that the 2024 meeting of the members of Jackson Electric Membership Corporation will be held at the headquarters in Jefferson, Ga., on Thursday, September 19, 2024.
Registration will begin at approximately 5:00 p.m. The chairperson will call the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to:
1. Receive reports of officers, directors and committees;
2. Elect three directors; and
3. Handle all other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The meeting will feature prizes, entertainment, a boxed supper, important business and other special programs. Additional details will be available in the September issue of JEMCO News and on our website, jacksonemc.com.
You are requested to be present.
Sincerely,
SHADE STOREY Secretary, Board of Directors
ANNUAL MEETING PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED
Karen Peck and New River, a five-time Grammy-nominated Southern Gospel group, will perform at Jackson EMC’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 19, at the headquarters in Jefferson.
A resident of Dahlonega, Karen Peck and her husband, Rickey Gooch, and her sister, Susan Peck Jackson, formed the group in 1991.
Karen and Ricky's children, Kari and Matthew, also perform in the group along, with Grant Gibson.
Karen Peck and New River has won seven Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. The group has more than 20 number-one hits on the gospel music charts, including “Four Days Late,” “Pray Now,” “Calling,” and “I Am Blessed.” The group has performed at The Grand Ole Opry, the Gaither Homecoming concerts, Opryland theme park, Dollywood and more.
Karen has been featured in two movies, “Joyful Noise” with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifa, and the Christian film, “Redeemed.” She was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2018.
Registration for the meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. that day and entertainment will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Karen Peck and New River
Student Delegates Represent Jackson EMC in Washington, D.C.
A group of high school students from Jackson EMC joined more than 1,600 peers from across the U.S. for a week-long leadership and public service experience in Washington, D.C. Organized by the nation’s electric cooperatives, the Washington Youth Tour is a valuable tradition that inspires future leaders through education and hands-on experiences. Jackson EMC has been sending high school delegates to Washington, D.C. since 1971. Delegates are selected based on academics, community service, oral and written communication skills, letters of recommendation and a personal interview. Jackson EMC selects four student delegates. Children of Jackson EMC employees apply through a statewide contest. This year, Georgia EMC selected a statewide delegate from Jackson EMC.
During their visit, delegates explored significant historical and cultural sites, including the National Archives, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, and the Smithsonian museums. They also had the unique opportunity to meet with members of Georgia’s Senators Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock at the U.S. Capitol.
Alvaro Saldarriaga Archila | McClure Health Sciences High School
What was your favorite activity on the tour?
“My favorite activity was going through the Eleanor Roosevelt, FDR, Jefferson and WWII memorials. From Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, I drew inspiration; from Jefferson, the importance of responsibility; and the WWII memorial was a place to reflect and honor those who gave their lives to defend our country and democracy.”
Anything you want to share about the Washington Youth Tour?
“I was born in Colombia and came to the U.S. around two years ago. This trip completely changed my perspective on life and people. I now realize that I enjoy traveling, so it is now part of my future plans. Most importantly, this trip allowed me to connect deeply with the United States of America. Thanks to this trip, I love this nation, its flag and its people even more.”
Mason Bass | Flowery Branch High School
What makes your participation in the program unique from other opportunities?
“This was completely different. I made friends that I will have for life and I learned about our nation’s history firsthand. I met people from every walk of life. Where else can you get that?”
What was your most memorable experience on the tour?
“The Library of Congress. It’s hard to forget it, the beautiful architecture along with the history stored within it are just unbelievable.”
Grace Koster | Jefferson High School
Tell us about your experience meeting other student leaders from Georgia and across the U.S.
“Throughout the tour, not only did I meet many students from all over Georgia, but also students from all over our country. We exchanged pins and Instagram names. Through their posts and stories, I have seen how magical their Washington Youth Tour experience was and how it differed from mine. As for my new friends from Georgia, we promised to keep in touch through text messages and Instagram.”
Has your participation in the program reshaped your decisions for a future career path?
“My participation in the Washington Youth Tour helped open my eyes to more career options and the different paths that I hadn’t even considered. Although I’m still undecided on what I want to do when I ‘grow up,’ I now have a better idea of my options and interests, thanks to this opportunity.”
Jabez Melaku | Archer High School
What lesson(s) did you learn on the Washington Youth Tour that will serve you best in life?
“I learned the importance of communication skills because if I had never talked to people throughout the trip and stayed in my comfort zone, it would not have been as impactful. The people I spoke to and connected with made the trip more memorable.”
Has your participation in the program reshaped your decisions for a future career path?
“This trip only strengthened my dream of becoming an engineer because now I wish to aid EMCs in the future with an electrical engineering degree so they can continue doing impactful things for the community.”
Lydia O’Neill | Flowery Branch High School
Statewide Delegate Selected by Georgia EMC
What makes your participation in the program unique from other opportunities?
“We were able to meet student leaders outside our circle. I connected and exchanged ideas with delegates from numerous other states. In most other youth leadership programs, you are in a cohort with students who have the same interests. Washington Youth Tour enables you to be with students from all backgrounds and interests.”
What was your most memorable experience on the tour?
“My most memorable day was meeting Senator Jon Ossoff and Senator Raphael Warnock, and having an actual conversation with them. We talked about my visit to Ebenezer Baptist Church.”
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE STUDENTS, THEIR INVOLVEMENT AT SCHOOL AND THEIR FUTURE CAREER PATHS? SCAN THE QR CODE:
Cover Photo by Louis Tonsmeire, Jr.
$90,500 IN GRANTS RECENTLY AWARDED
The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded a total of $90,500 in grants, including $80,500 to organizations and $10,000 to individuals.
Organizational Grant Recipients:
$18,000 Boys & Girls Clubs of Winder-Barrow, for its Goals for Graduation program that uses goals for school attendance, homework completion and positive study habits to promote academic achievement in middle and high school-aged members.
$15,000 to Center Point GA, Inc. , Gainesville, which strengthens students and their families through education, counseling, mentoring, substance abuse prevention and youth development for its Mentoring Program serving Hall and Jackson counties.
$15,000 to the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, Inc. , to pay for eye surgeries for uninsured individuals in Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson counties.
$15,000 to J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA , Lawrenceville, to sponsor 250 youth in Gwinnett and Barrow counties for its Afterschool Program, Clubs, and More Program.
$10,000 to ConnectAbility, Inc. , Dahlonega, for its Sidekicks Community Events Program for children and adults with disabilities and their families in Banks, Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Lumpkin counties.
$5,000 to the Burn Foundation of America, Inc. to provide patient and family services for burn victims throughout Jackson EMC’s service area.
$2,500 to the Southeastern Railway Museum, Duluth, to support its Special Needs and Disadvantaged Students Fund for its Educational Classroom Modules Program.
Individual Grant Recipients:
$5,000 for a HVAC unit for a Gwinnett County senior citizen.
$5,000 for concrete walkway and driveway repairs to help improve accessibility and safety for a Hall County senior citizen.
Community Impact: Joshua's Voice
Shawnette Good founded Joshua’s Voice after losing her son, who was on the autism spectrum. Despite his many achievements, Joshua struggled with interpersonal relationships and communication. In his memory, Shawnette and her family are raising awareness and education for neurodiverse individuals.
“Joshua’s Voice is a way for our Joshua’s voice to live on by helping others to understand what is often unseen,” said Shawnette Good, founder and executive director of Joshua’s Voice.
The Jackson EMC Foundation recently awarded Joshua’s Voice Inc. a $7,500 grant. This funding will help purchase sensory kits and educational materials for its Autism Spectrum and Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness Program, Partners in Compassion, which educates first responders and other organizations on these topics.
Joshua's Voice holds educational sessions and provides sensory kits to emergency personnel and organizations across Georgia. These kits include items to help nonverbal individuals and those with sensory overload in times of crisis. These kits contain noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, sensory tools, a dryerase board and marker, fidget spinners, a paramedic and EMS symbol board, a picture communication board, and sanitizing wipes. The nonprofit has distributed more than 700 sensory kits.
“Thanks to the Jackson EMC Foundation grant, we have been able to educate 293 additional crisis intervention personnel across nine organizations, giving them access to knowledge and resources to improve their interactions with neurodiverse individuals,” said Good.
The Winder Police Department with sensory kits from Joshua's Voice.
New Substations Reflect Growing Membership
As your community grows, Jackson EMC continues to build and improve its infrastructure to ensure the reliable electricity you expect.
Jackson EMC’s distribution system serves more than 264,000 meters across 10 counties and more than 15,000 miles of energized lines. Electricity travels from power plants through lines to substations, which reduce voltage so it’s safe for your home or business. Each substation typically serves thousands of people in an area. Substations are added or upgraded as the community grows.
Last year, 8,297 meters were added to Jackson EMC’s distribution system. Two new substations – one in Barrow County and another in Lumpkin County – were added, bringing the total to 84 substations
In addition to adding substations, we continuously replace transformers and poles to ensure equipment is working at peak performance. The co-op has more than 420 automated devices that help restore power faster when outages occur.
Jackson EMC invested more than $87 million in infrastructure improvements this year.
“Just as a vehicle needs oil changes, check-ups and repairs, our share of the electric grid needs proactive maintenance to ensure electricity is available to our members,” said Jonathan Weaver, Jackson EMC’s director of system engineering.
“Extremely hot or cold weather can stress equipment, so we ensure our equipment is adequately sized and in top working condition in advance.”
Jackson EMC’s engineers and analysts are always looking ahead to forecast the long-range energy needs of members. Over the next three years, the cooperative plans to invest more than $213 million in infrastructure to deliver that electricity to the members of Jackson EMC.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Jackson EMC Communication Department Receives National Awards
Jackson EMC’s communication department recently received national awards from two national organizations, including four awards from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Spotlight on Excellence Awards contest and three awards from the Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) Communication Contest.
The communication team members honored with these awards include Jewel Caruso, Karen Ewing, Lila Higginbotham, Wendy Jones, Dekotah Mathis, April Sorrow, Kerri Testement and Lauren White.
Jackson EMC HR Department Receives Statewide Award
Jackson EMC was recently named the Regional Business Partner of the Year and the Statewide Business Partner of the Year by the Georgia Department of Education Work-Based Learning/Youth Apprenticeship Program Awards Committee.
Jackson EMC has participated in Work-Based Learning for more than 10 years.
The HR team honored by this award includes Wanda Azpeitia, Kelsey Blalock, Robin Daniel, Jordan Graham, Keith Johnson, Gina Mixon, Robyn Ryan, Khanika Tidwell and Judy Ward.
FOR THE FULL STORY, SCAN THE QR CODE: FOR THE FULL STORY, SCAN THE QR CODE:
YOUR POWER. YOUR COMMUNITY.
A PUBLICATION FOR JACKSON EMC MEMBERS
JACKSON EMC OFFICES
1000 Dawsonville Highway Gainesville, GA (770) 536-2415
85 Spratlin Mill Road Hull, GA (706) 548-5362
850 Commerce Road Jefferson, GA (706) 367-5281
825 Buford Dr Lawrenceville, GA (770) 963-6166
EMC SECURITY
55 Satellite Blvd., NW Suwanee, GA (770) 963-0305 or (706) 543-4009
@JacksonEMC
jacksonemc.com
Teach Kids About Back-to-School Electrical Safety
A new school year is a good time to teach children about electrical safety. Here are a few things they need to know:
Avoid power lines and transformers
Stay away from these at school and at home.
Stay away from downed lines
Always assume a fallen utility line is live and stay away from it.
No objects in outlets
Don’t stick pens, pencils or anything else into electrical outlets. The Electrical Safety Foundation International reports that almost seven children a day are treated in hospitals for burns or electrical shocks because they tampered with wall outlets.
Drive carefully near utility crews
Teen drivers should slow down or move over when they see utility crews working.
Don’t overload outlets
Don’t plug too many electric devices into an electric outlet or power strip, especially in an older dorm, where the wiring may not be equipped for an overload.
Limit extension cord use
Use extension cords only temporarily, not for long periods of time.
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