Empowered Newsletter November 2020

Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

CREWS RETURN FROM LOUISIANA

Central Rural Electric Cooperative line crews helped Beauregard Electric Cooperative in DeRidder, Louisiana, restore power to their membership following Hurricanes Laura and Delta. More than 1,100 line workers from 12 states worked to help restore power to the co-op’s 43,000 members. Pictured from left to right are Hunter Hays, Bobby Page, Logan Karner, Michael Musil, Joey Musil, Trey Linsenmeyer, Jeff Studebaker, Bryce Mason, Shawn Jones, Blane McPhail and Clint Robinson. Not pictured are Jayson Cross and Kyle Williams.

INTRODUCING ROUND UP PLUS Since 2006, Central members have been opting in to Operation Round Up which rounds their bill to the next whole dollar. That “spare change” has equated to more than half a million dollars given back to Central’s seven-county service area. Through the Central Community Foundation, sev-

eral people have been impacted big by contributors’ small monthly amounts.

Organizations focusing on healthcare, education, disaster relief or community purposes have benefited from the Operation Round Up program, as well as several individuals. n SEE “PLUS,” PAGE 3

UPDATE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

ANNUAL MEETING A SUCCESS

NOVEMBER 2020 Central Board of Trustees: Bill Davis, President (District 7) Gary McCune, Vice President (District 1) Carol Dvorak, Secretary/Treasurer (District 3) Stu Preston (District 2) 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

www.MyCentral.coop facebook.com/MyCentralCoop twitter.com/MyCentralCoop

Central’s first drive-through Annual Meeting was a success with 1,403 members registering at the four locations.

This is record attendance for Annual Meeting and the first year the meeting has been held at multiple locations. The Stillwater drive-through location had the largest turn out with 820 members, followed by Guthrie with 228, Chandler with 213, and Perry with 142.

I am pleased to announce that all three of the bylaw amendments passed. Seventy-five percent of members voted in favor of the first amendment changing the joint membership language from husband and wife to married couple.

Ninety-one percent of members voted in favor of the second amendment, which changed the annual meeting time frame from the spring to anytime throughout the year. Ninety-one percent of members voted in favor of the third amendment, which added an additional trustee qualification to the bylaws.

At each location, members were given ballots to vote on the three proposed bylaw amendments. After casting their vote, members were given a goody bag with their $20 meal card, Central car A survey has been sent to coasters, a Centranet cup, all members who attended the Annual Report and other Bill Davis, District 7 Trustee Annual Meeting to get their important information. Memopinions on the format. We bers who attended Annual Meeting will also receive a $10 credit on hope you will take the time to complete the survey as it is important to our their December bills. planning for future meetings.

The drive-through format allowed The board would like to thank everyone members to participate in the cooperawho participated in this year’s Annual tive’s democratic member control from the comfort and safety of their vehicles. Meeting!

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 Nov. 11 for Veteran’s Day and Nov. 26-27 for Thanksgiving.

Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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The Stillwater location registered 820 members, making it the largest of all locations.

DISTRICT 6 TRUSTEE SELECTED The Central board of trustees has appointed James Wells as the new trustee for District 6, following the retirement of Raymond Nettles.

believes James will serve district 6 members well,” said Bill Davis, Central Board President. “We are pleased with the engagement from the members and the interest that was shown in the trustee position. We would like to thank each candidate for the time invested during the election process.”

Four candidates filed to run for the position, which was voted on at the District 6 Meeting Sept. 24.

While a quorum was met, no candidate received a majority Wells is the president vote, which is needed of A&B Eco-Safe Pest to secure the position.

Control, Diversified James Wells Per the cooperative’s Resources Group, and bylaws, the candidates were interthe owner and manager of Alpine viewed, and the board appointed Investment Properties. He has been Wells. Wells was also the candidate a member of Central for 23 years. who received the most votes at the Wells is also a current board member District 6 meeting. of the Bandit Football Association, Stillwater Chamber of Commerce “The board of trustees interviewed and has been a local youth sports four exceptional candidates and coach since 1993.

n PLUS CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Now there is a new way to take your giving to the next level. The Round Up Plus program allows Central members to make an additional fixed monthly donation on top of their usual Operation Round Up amount.

For example, you can add $5 to your monthly bill as a donation to the Central Community Foundation. If your bill was $134.27, your Operation Round Up donation including the Round Up Plus amount would be

$140.00. The $5.73 will be put into the Central Community Foundation to help individuals and organizations throughout Central’s service area.

Round Up Plus is a great way to give back to your community! Learn more and sign up by visiting MyCentral.

Foundation, by calling a Central member service representative at 800375-2884 or email Erin Talley, Central Community Foundation coordinator, at etalley@mycentral.coop.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Visit our new website MyCentral.Foundation!

STAY SAFE WITH THE RIGHT LIGHT There are a variety of ways to brighten up your season with holiday lighting arrangements. However, according to the National Fire Protection Association holiday lights are involved in an estimated average of 160 home structure fires each year which caused an average of nine deaths, 13 injuries and $9 million in property damage. Electrical failures or malfunctions were factors in two-thirds of those fires. Keep these holiday lighting safety tips in mind to help reduce your risk of property damage, injury or death: Z Unlike incandescent bulbs which generate most of their energy in heat, LEDs are cool to the touch— which also indicates greater energy-efficiency.

Z LEDs are made with epoxy lenses, not glass and are much more durable.

Z When hanging lights outdoors, use a wooden or fiberglass ladder.

Z Turn off all indoor and outdoor holiday lighting before leaving the house or going to bed.

Z Never drape anything over a light bulb or lamp shade.

Z Avoid using candles when possible. Consider using batteryoperated candles in place of traditional candles.

Z Never leave an open flame unattended. Keep burning candles within sight.

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RESPONSIBLE GENERATION An old saying states that people who live and work in rural America are the original environmentalists. After all, communities so connected to the land, air and water for their well-being are naturally tuned to safeguard them today and for future generations. When it comes to power generation for member-consumers, Associated Electric Cooperative reflects the values of the people who receive its electricity. Generating power responsibly is a key priority.

“Making sure our power generation activities safeguard air, water and land is a big responsibility. Our track record shows AECI delivers meaningful results members can be proud of,” says Brent Ross, AECI’s managing director of environmental, health and safety. “It’s a team effort.”

Ross and his staff keep up with complex federal and state regulatory changes, conduct safety and environmental training and audits,

and monitor employee safety.

They also handle reporting to state and federal agencies, permits, plus monitor and take samples of water, air and soil to ensure AECI continues to be a good steward of natural resources.

More than $1.1 billion has been invested by AECI to reduce air emissions since 1994, resulting in tremendous improvements in air quality. Emissions from AECI’s coal power plants have dropped 80 to 90 percent, depending on the specific emission being monitored.

While the current results are impressive, compliance with new and changing land, air and water regulations is an ongoing priority.

“We understand how important our environment is to everyone we serve, so making a difference with measurable results is what we strive for each day,” Ross said.

For more information, visit aeci.org.

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SERVICES

SERVICES

8ft Offset & 18ft Springtooth, $3500. Call 918-285-0043

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.

Randomized Drug Testing Program.

Call 405-277-3325

Operation Catnip Stillwater Clinics have been temporarily canceled due to the Covid pandemic. For updates, please check our website at operationcatnip.okstate.edu or our Operation Catnip Stillwater Facebook page. You may also call 405-466-5810.

Babysitter, guardian angels, protectors, loyal best friend.

We have your next generation super dog. Anatolian-Great Pyranees puppies. Smart, very beautiful, good with humans and livestock. Only four available. Call 405-519-9347 Guthrie.

SUBMIT YOUR AD Submit your ad by email to editor@mycentral.coop by the 10th of each month!

Above, Central lineman Trey Linsenmeyer works to restore power to Beauregard Electric Cooperative members in southwest Louisiana.

Below, damage caused by Hurricane Laura.