Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of
BE PREPARED FOR STORM SEASON
Springtime in Oklahoma is often associated with warmer weather, flowering plants and rain showers, but spring storms can also bring unwanted power outages. When you see power lines on the ground following a storm, stay away, warn others to stay away and contact Central Rural Electric Cooperative. Lines do not have to be arcing or sparking to be energized. Any utility wire, including telephone or cable lines, sagging or down could be in contact with an energized power line making them dangerous, so stay away from all of them.
Be alert to the possibility that tree limbs or debris may hide an electrical hazard. Things around an energized line such as chain link fences and metal culverts may also be energized. Keep in mind that a line that’s indeed “dead” could become energized during power restoration efforts or improper use of generators.
If you are driving and come upon a downed power line, stay in your vehicle, warn others to stay away and contact emergency personnel or the electric utility. Never n SEE “STORM,” PAGE 4
A Central lineman works to replace a burning pole that was damaged during a spring lightning storm.
TIPS FOR USING A BACKUP GENERATOR SAFELY Generators are useful when temporary electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are electrocution, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fire. Every year, people die in incidents related to portable generator use. Most of the incidents involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially-enclosed spaces.
Follow these tips for safely using a backup generator: § Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as “backfeeding.” This is an extremely dangerous practice that presents an electrocution risk to n SEE “GENERATOR,” PAGE 4
UPDATE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM AIMS TO EDUCATE & INFORM MARCH 2021 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) Stu Preston, Vice President (District 2) Bill Davis, Secretary/Treasurer (District 7) Gary McCune (District 1) Len Tontz (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) James Wells (District 6) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Kory Frazier - Marketing and Communications Specialist
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Contact Us: editor@MyCentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076
Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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The fift h co-op principle, education, training and information, helps all of us – trustees, members and employees – effectively contribute to the development of the cooperative. Education about the nature and benefits of cooperatives, particularly with the general public and opinion leaders, helps boost understanding about the cooperative business model. Central recently revamped its Ambassador Program which aims to educate, train and inform members. Ambassadors are a diverse group of members and community leaders committed to the cooperative’s mission and principles.
sadors serving alongside employees and trustees at community events or attending Central Community Foundation grant presentations. The Ambassador Program is fluid, and new Ambassadors will be appointed every few years. Nominations will be accepted from Central board members, employees, Ambassadors and Central Community Foundation directors.
Following the completion of the program, Ambassadors will remain involved in the Carol Dvorak, District 3 Trustee cooperative - participating in member meetings and interacting with members at various events. Our intent is for Ambassadors Ambassadors attend a series of to be an extension of the cooperative training sessions during their first by helping tell the cooperative story year. The cooperative staff and sharing our legacy with have put together a the communities great curriculum for we serve. ambassadors that covers the coopCentral is continerative model and ually looking for EDUCATION, principles, the engaged members TRAINING AND future of the ento serve as AmbasINFORMATION ergy industry, and sadors. If you have an in-depth look at experience or an interest Central’s current and future in the electric industry or initiatives. The sessions are a deep the cooperative model and would dive into all things Central. like to be considered in the selection process, please let us know. In addition to attending training sessions, the Ambassadors will act as You may email editor@mycentral. a liaison between Central, its memcoop or send a note to Central at bers and the communities we serve. 3305 S. Boomer Road, Stillwater, OK In the future, you may see ambas74076.
Third grade students from Fogarty Elementary in Guthrie learned about electrical safety from Central linemen Kyle Williams and Brad Tomlinson. Students learned the importance of looking up, looking around and staying far away from power lines. Central offers the Be Safety Smart program to elementary-aged students. If your school or organization is interested, visit the Youth Programs page on our website.
YOUTH TOUR SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE EXTENDED The 2021 Youth Tour Scholarship Contest deadline has been extended. Applications are now due on March 12, 2021.
area must write an essay, develop a resume and submit the application on Central’s website.
Each year, Central sends two students to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Youth Tour program organized by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives.
A group of judges will review the entries and select five students to interview. The top two winners will receive $2,000 scholarships, and the remaining three will receive $250 scholarships.
The trip for 2021 has been canceled due to Covid-19, but Central will still be hosting the contest and presenting scholarships instead. To enter, current high school juniors going to school within Central’s service
Full rules and guidelines are available at https://mycentral.coop/youth-programs. The deadline for entry is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2021.
Essay Topic: “The need for rural electricity has been established for nearly a century. In the age of technology, why is it important for rural America to have a reliable source of internet, and how can rural internet benefit your community?”
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drive over a downed line, it could cause poles or other equipment to come crashing down. Make preparations now for this year’s storm season by following these tips: Z Always keep a battery-powered radio, flashlights and a supply of fresh batteries handy. Z Have a supply of water and non-perishable food. Z Lightning can cause power surges and damage electronics. Keep your electronics safe by unplugging them before the storm. Z Before an outage, leave one lamp or switch on as a signal for when your power returns. Z During an outage keep your refrigerators and freezer doors closed. Food can stay good for several hours before going bad. When the power returns, use a thermometer to check food and throw away any food 40 degrees or higher.
When outages occur, Central posts updates to its social media pages. The Central Facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/MyCentralCoop. SmartHub lets members report an outage from a computer or smart phone. Members can sign up for SmartHub by visiting http://mycentral.smarthub.coop/Login.html, or find the SmartHub app on their device’s app store. Outages can also be reported by calling 405-372-2884.
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utility workers and neighbors. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices. § Keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. To protect from moisture, operate it on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure. Dry your hands if wet before touching the generator. Plug appliances directly into the generator, or use a heavy duty extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. § For power outages, permanently installed stationary generators are better suited for providing backup power to the home. Even a properly connected portable generator can become overloaded, resulting in overheating and possibly leading to a generator failure. § Never use a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces. Generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly. When you use a generator, remember that you cannot smell or see CO. Even if you can’t smell exhaust fumes, you may be exposed to CO. If you feel sick, dizzy or weak, get to fresh air right away.
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Dr. Myers Chiropractic, Luther Real “Hands-on” physical adjustment $35 total office visit. Truck Driver DOT health card $75. Truck Driver DOT drug test $45. Truck Driver DOT alcohol test $45. Truck Owner FMCSA (DOT) Compliant. Call 405-277-3325
Submit your ad by email to editor@mycentral.coop by the 5th of each month! Ads will be edited and run as space allows.
2001 Toyota Avalon, nice clean smooth ride, only $1,900 call Jim at 405-463-0693
82nd Annual Meeting
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OCTOBER 7, 2021 D e ATE Chandler • Guthrie • Perry •Stillwater 4