May Empowered Newsletter

Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of

YOUTH TOUR WINNERS ANNOUNCED

“I’m so proud of the five finalists,” said

More than 20 high school juniors submitted essays with the top five talented students interviewed by a panel of external judges.

“It’s important from a cooperative standpoint for young leaders to understand the role politics play in our country,” Robinson said. “Electric

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The two Youth Tour winners will meet members of congress, visit monuments, historic sights and Smithsonian museums. Youth Tour gives students valuable insight into American history, while giving them tools to succeed as young leaders.

Learn more about Youth Tour at mycentral.coop.

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Bailey Ramsey Carney

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Isaac Ochsner Stillwater

cooperatives were born out of a political movement and a need for rural electrification.”

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YOUTH TOUR WINNERS ✮✮✮ ✮ ✮

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The other three finalists, Clara Carr Chandler, Nicholas Sewell and Madisyn Novotny from Pawnee secured scholarships through the contest.

Hunter Robinson, Central CEO. “It’s great to see these bright young leaders in our territory and have them represent us at this year’s Youth Tour.”

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Bailey Ramsey from Carney, and Isaac Ochsner from Stillwater were selected as the winners of the Oklahoma Youth Tour contest hosted by Central Rural Electric Cooperative, earning spots to attend Washington, D.C. with other winners from across the state.

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UPDATE FROM THE CEO

YOU MADE THE COOPERATIVE DIFFERENCE Thank you for your help with House Bill 3835.

M AY 2 0 2 2 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) James Wells, Vice President (District 6) Gary McCune, Secretary/Treasurer (District 1) Greg Tytenicz (District 2) Sid Sperry (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) Bill Davis (District 7) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Kory Bowman - Marketing and Communications Specialist Ivy Hill - Marketing and Communications Specialist

www.mycentral.coop facebook.com/MyCentralCoop twitter.com/MyCentralCoop instagram.com/MyCentralCoop

Contact Us: editor@mycentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076

Notice: Central’s office will be closed on May 30 for Memorial Day. Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Last month, rural electric cooperative members from across the state began a grassroots effort to engage with local representatives. Simply put, this campaign was focused on protecting your cooperative’s right to set and receive adequate pole attachment revenue on the electrical distribution system that you own.

cooperative members are engaged in matters that affect them.

There are several elected officials across our service territory that work hard on your behalf. They care about the issues that matter to you and appreciate the engagement.

Hearing from you lets them receive firsthand information about your concerns and provides an opportunity for discussion. I would like to thank all our elected officials for their desire to engage, listen and work in the best interest of you as a cooperative member.

The result of your efforts led to conversations to revise the original bill to one that is now supported by all. Not only do the changes ensure the appropriate recoupment of increased operational expense due to additional pole Hunter Robinson, attachments, but also Central CEO further changes were The bill will now move made that will help promote access to to the Senate for consideration, high-quality broadband for all rural and we will be watching how it Oklahomans. progresses. Thank you to everyone who contacted your representative Another positive outcome from all and voiced your concerns. Each your efforts was the resounding one of you made the difference reminder you sent to elected officials and created something that will be that cooperative members care about beneficial for all and promotes the issues impacting their cooperative; expansion of broadband across the issues that impact rural areas. It was state, securing a better future for a reminder to elected officials that young Oklahomans.

Thank you Central members!

BE SAFETY SMART WITH CENTRAL’S LINEMEN

Electrical safety is Central’s top priority and this includes teaching the dangers of electricity to children in our communities.

Be Safety Smart works with schools to give elementary students a better understanding of how to stay safe around electricity from Central’s very own linemen.

“Everyone enjoys the many conveniences of electricity, but too

often it is taken for granted, and we forget how dangerous electricity can be,” said Jeff Denton, Central’s Safety Director. “Be Safety Smart emphasizes these points and introduces the students to some of the equipment that linemen wear on the job.”

Visit mycentral.coop/youth-programs to learn more about this amazing program and how your local school can participate.

ENJOY LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS Arcadia Farmers’ Market Highway 66 & Division St. Weekly on Thursdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Conscious Community Co-op Farmers Market 2900 E Waterloo Rd, Edmond Sunday 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Cushing Farmers’ Market 2004 E. Main St. Weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Edmond Farmers’ Market 2733 Marilyn Williams Drive Wednesdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon Guthrie Farmers’ Market 722 Heather Road Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon Stillwater Farmers’ Market Prairie Arts Center, 1001 S. Duck St. Weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wellston Farm and Craft Market 804 Hayes Drive First and Third Saturdays monthly 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Central Linemen Kyle Williams and Jerry Cundiff present a safety demonstration to a group of elementary students at Ripley Public schools.

Yarrowhead Farmers’ Market 790011 US-177 Thursdays-Saturdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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MEET CENTRAL’S NEW AMBASSADORS for sale Great Plains no-till drill, 30 ft. Cat Challenger Ag 65C track tractor. Call 405-714-3422.

4 Paws Inn and Spa @4pawsinnok on Facebook and Twitter 405-377-3647 • linktr.ee/4pawsinnok Serving Stillwater and surrounding areas for your dog boarding and grooming needs.

Two adjoining graveside plots in older section of Gracelawn Cemetery in Edmond. $1,500 each. Call 405-277-3622.

Nonprofit Postings Alzheimer’s Association Get the support and information you need without leaving home. Call our free, 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 and visit alz.org.

Central Community Foundation grant applications are due on May 15, to be reviewed at the June foundation meeting. Learn more and submit your application at mycentral.foundation.

SUBMIT YOUR AD Submit your ad by email to editor@mycentral. coop by the 5th of each month! Ads will be edited and run as space allows.

Left to right: Ellie Ball, Justin Dvorak, Lisa Bowman, Greg Bowman, Brad Essary, Paul Priegel, Steve Jones, Joe Ball, Kyla Golay, Mat Gelino, Gary Babinec and Marvin Corser.

Central Ambassadors serve as an extension of Central’s trustees and employees. They engage with Central’s members and communities by representing Central at community events, and explaining services and resources to members.

Ambassadors attend a series of four training sessions based on the cooperative model and principles, the future of the energy industry, and an

in-depth look at Central’s current and future initiatives. The sessions are a deep dive into all things Central.

Ambassadors remain involved in the cooperative by participating in member meetings and interacting with members at various events.

Interested in learning more about the program? Visit mycentral.coop/ ambassadorprogram.

You are invited to a member appreciation event! Visit with Central employees and

board members while you enjoy a bratwurst, burger or BBQ sandwich.

6-7:30 pm June 16 Central, Stillwater 4

6-7:30 pm June 23 Tilghman Park, Chandler