AT-Cost ELECTRICITY MEMBER CONNECTIONS
AT-Cost ELECTRICITY
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for your home AND BUSINESS
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Exceed Expectations Trace McCuan, CEO
“Exceeds expectations.” Many schools now have children combing their gradeschool report cards for EEs, which signify they have attained the coveted “exceeds expectations” rating in aspects of school life that couldn’t be assigned a letter grade. As they grow up, as parents we hope that those EEs turn into A’s and B’s. But thankfully many children also retain that desire to exceed expectations. At Nueces Electric Cooperative, we also strive for EEs, every single day. We don’t want to do what you only expect us to do—provide you with affordable, safe, and reliable electric service. We want to go farther and do better, from providing superior member service to offering programs that help you save time and money. NEC lineworkers provide the public face of our mission to exceed expectations. They routinely work in rough weather and put in long hours. But they do it gladly, because they care about doing an exceptional job for you. However, we have many people behind the scenes who also make our co-op the best it can be. Our engineers continually explore new technologies to improve service reliability. Our finance department works to make bill pay easier and more convenient with programs like autopay and level billing. Our member services representatives want to make sure you have a positive and satisfying experience when you call our office for help. We work hard to stay available in many ways including our multiple locations and drive-thru member services windows.
improve the quality of life by providing grants to benefit local charities through our Operation Round Up program with Nueces Electric Charities. Whether it’s a power outage, a billing question or community event, we’re working hard to achieve those EEs from you every day. Our mission each day as a member-owned cooperative is to help our members continually improve their quality of life by providing reliable and cost-effective electric service. Since we are cooperative and not just another electric utility company, that means members like you have a say in how we do that. Nueces Electric Cooperative is embracing member satisfaction research as a critical tool to help us continue to deliver best-in-class service to our members. So when you hear from us asking for you to participate in a member satisfaction survey, please do so. This way, we’ll know if we’re meeting your expectations, exceeding them, or need to improve in a specific area. That’s why NEC should matter to you—because your opinion matters to us.
And because we’re a cooperative, we have a special responsibility to support the communities we serve and exceed expectations there, too. That means we aim to 18
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Taking Member Satisfaction Surveys
As a member of a NEC Retail Electricity, you are a member of a Cooperative. Your feedback is greatly important to us and your voice truly has an opportunity to be heard. Your feedback will help us evaluate the value of our membership offerings to ensure we’re providing the best professional and technical support possible to all NEC members. Without the active involvement and commitment of our members, NEC would not be the successful cooperative it is today. So please take our survey at http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07ecx4n3r8iqcemak3/start If you would prefer a paper copy, please visit our offices to obtain a hard copy of this survey to submit by mail or at an NEC location. For other questions on this survey, please contact communications@necretail.com.
Electrical safety lessons for kids We all know electricity plays a major role in our everyday lives, and it is a powerful resource that should be respected. Unfortunately, our children often do not understand the dangers of electricity. At NEC, we encourage you to share electrical safety tips and lessons with your little ones as often as possible. We also understand their attention spans run short, so here are a few creative ways to get them involved. Depending on the age of your child, consider designating an “electronics deputy.” The deputy should be responsible for pointing out electronics in your home that are not in use and keeping appliances safe from liquids. Reward your deputy for pointing out overloaded outlets or other potentially dangerous situations. Emphasize the importance of fire prevention with your children, and create a family fire drill plan as an extra precaution. Incentivize your children by rewarding those who followed the plan and made it safely out of the home. While it is fun and engaging to turn safety into a game, it is important to ensure your children understand the risks they are facing if they do not practice electrical safety. One of the most important safety tips you can give your kids is to avoid www.necretail.com
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any downed power lines. In fact, it is best to avoid power lines, transformers and substations in general. A downed power line can still be energized, and it can also energize other objects, including fences and trees. Make sure your kids understand the potential dangers of coming in contact with a downed power line or low hanging wire. And, if they encounter a downed power line, ask them to tell you or another adult to call NEC.
Here are a few other safety tips you can share with your kids: • Never put metal objects in outlets or appliances. • Do not overcrowd electrical outlets. • Never mix water and electricity. No matter how you choose to get your kids interested in staying safe around electricity, NEC is here to help. To learn more about electrical safety, visit NuecesElectric.org.
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Cooperatives drive democracy 2016 It has often been said that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. It is easy to take our right to vote for granted, maybe because there are so many opportunities to exercise that right. There are national, state and local elections for political offices. Then there are elections for social or other civic organizations. If you own stock, you are asked to vote in those elections. So it is understandable to see how “election fatigue” can take hold. As we head into the final stage of what has been a divisive national election, it is a good time to remember that elections don’t have to be about name calling and bitterness. Co-ops can and do play a role in cultivating a civil society where people can practice democracy at the hyper local level. As a member of NEC you have the right to run for the board of directors. Even if you choose not to have that level of participation, you should feel empowered to reach out to current board members and candidates. The beauty of belonging to a co-op is every member has a voice, but you must use that voice if you want to be heard on the issues that matter to you.
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In their document, “A Blueprint for a Cooperative Decade,” the International Cooperative Alliance, a global organization made up of co-ops from over 100 countries, identified member participation as one of the five key ingredients for a co-op to be successful. Voting and being actively involved in the affairs of the co-op are key ways in which members can participate. Take the time to get to know candidates running for NEC’s board. Seek out ways that you can help spread the word about the good work your co-op is doing. The cooperative business model is a great one, it fosters engagement and creates strong communities. Over 100 years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt recognized this value when he said, “The Cooperative is the best plan of organization. Under this plan, every business is [governed by a board], every person has one vote and only one vote. Everyone gets profits based on their use of the co-op. It develops individual responsibility and has a moral as well as a financial value.” Those words are truer today than ever before. Let your voice be heard, and take the time to participate in all the elections.
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Annual Membership Meeting
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It’s that time of year again; NEC is gearing up for the 2016 annual meeting, which will be held on Thursday, October 13. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for voting, kids activities and dinner; the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. The annual meeting is a special time for co-op members to gather, share experiences, hear from co-op leadership and, perhaps most importantly, vote to elect your new board members. NEC employees work hard to host this fun event, and we encourage you to attend and exercise some of the many rights you have as a member of an electric cooperative. We know the food, games and prizes are the best parts of the meeting, but there is so much more to the event. Did you know the annual meeting is an occasion to discuss and learn more about the issues affecting our community? This is an opportunity to learn more about the topics that impact you and talk about what we as a community can do to address our most pressing challenges and take advantage of available opportunities. Your annual meeting is also the occasion to exercise one of the greatest benefits of being an electric co-op member: voting for the upcoming year’s board of directors. Your electric cooperative is not owned by far-away investors, and it is not run by an appointed board of directors. Your electric cooperative is run by a democratically elected board that is given the privilege to serve because of your vote. So, at this year’s annual meeting, not only will you have a blast (and maybe win a prize!), but you will feel good knowing that you had a voice in a very important decision that impacts one of our most vital resources, electricity. From all of your friends at NEC we hope to see you in October at the annual meeting. NEC Retail August 2016 Texas Co-op Power
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Benefits of an electric water heater As expected, most people don’t think much about water heaters. They take for granted that they make it possible to have hot showers, clean dinner dishes and enjoy load upon load of freshly laundered linens. The lonely water heater, tucked away in the basement or a utility closet, is out of sight and out of mind. There are times, however, when your attention turns to that most essential of appliances: when an existing water heater breaks (“Brrr. That water is cold!”) or when building or renovating a home. At those times, a homeowner will make a decision that has consequences that persist for a decade or two, maybe longer. Your water-heating choice will have implications for energy efficiency, cost of use, the environment, safety and reliability. As a trusted energy advisor, NEC can help you make the right decision. As a member of the cooperative, you might already know about many of the advantages and benefits of electric water heaters. First, electric water heaters are safe. There is no threat of carbon monoxide poisoning, combustion or explosion. Electric water heaters are environmentally friendly and capable of using electricity generated from solar, wind, hydro and other renewable sources. Electric water heaters are also easy to install, requiring no expensive gas lines, exhaust flue or on-site fuel tanks. Compared to other fuels, the cost of electricity is stable. In addition, electric water heaters are emerging as a building block of the future electric grid. These formerly mundane units are evolving into smart appliances and energy storage units that are helping the grid become more stable and more efficient. By heating water when demand for electricity is low and storing the thermal energy for later use, electric water heaters can save you money. Not everyone acknowledges the superiority of electric water heaters. In the coming months, you might see television commercials or other advertisements that will try to sell you on the merits of propane water heaters. A propane marketing group is behind the campaign, and there’s no telling what kind of claims they’ll make. The fact is that propane is a fossil fuel, and prices tend to fluctuate wildly. If you install a propane heater today, you’ll live with the consequences and risks for years to come. That’s the inconvenient truth. If you have questions about water heater options or other energy efficiency needs, give us a call at 361-767-3865. At NEC, we’re here to be your trusted energy source. 22
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Calendar Dates:
August 1.............................Nueces Electric Charities Grants Deadline October 13........................ Annual Meeting Richard M. Borchard Fairgrounds
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Women and cooperatives In honor of Women’s Equality Day on August 26, let’s take a look at the roles women play in cooperatives across the globe. Even though women in the U.S. and U.K. were not allowed to vote until the early 1900s, women were granted equal voting rights in the first modern era cooperative, The Rochdale Pioneers Equitable Society. Established in 1844 in Rochdale, England, the co-op’s founders agreed that women should have equal voting rights. So you see, treating women equally has been baked into our cooperative DNA right from the start. And the cooperative business model continues to champion women’s equality across the globe. According to a 2015 global study conducted by the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives, co-ops have an increasingly positive impact on women and their inclusion in the labor force, and enhance women’s ability to achieve positions of authority (both within and outside of the co-op). In developing countries––where women have long suffered due to biased cultural norms, government policy and lack of opportunities––the role cooperatives play in the lives of women, as well as the role women play in cooperatives, is now more meaningful than ever. In Paraguay, a South American country bordered by Brazil and Argentina, gender equality has transformed the Manduvira Sugarcane Cooperative.
This fair-trade sugar co-op has seen a dramatic increase in the participation of female members and leaders. Manduvira is a multi-service co-op with two types of operations: organic, fair-trade sugar production, and savings and credit. In both of its operations, Manduvira has seen a significant increase in their success as women’s participation grows. According to several co-op leaders in Manduvira, female members are generally more likely to apply what they learn in trainings and adopt new farming techniques compared to their male counterparts. Because women are more likely to adopt new technologies and the co-op has seen a higher percentage of women in leadership roles, the co-op has become stronger and more stable. This is just an example from one cooperative. In South Africa, women make up 60 percent of co-op members from nearly all sectors. In Japan, women make up 95 percent of co-op members in consumer cooperatives and hold key governance positions. And globally, more women join savings and credit cooperatives, giving them increased access to financial resources. Right here at NEC, two women serve on our board of directors and numerous women here at the co-op work hard to help make the co-op run smoothly. Treating everyone equally and ensuring folks have fair opportunities is the cooperative way of doing business.
Vacationing on a shoestring budget The new normal seems to be that, while enjoying enviable travel, our friends, family and social media acquaintances must post photos and stories to turn everyone green with jealousy. But not everyone can afford a month of wine tasting in Europe or a dog sled through the Yukon. Many simply have different priorities for their money. Luckily, opportunities exist for singles, couples or family travel on less luxurious budgets. Every U.S. state and territory has a National Park. Some National Parks are free, while others require a fee to enter. Seniors, active military and the disabled are eligible for free or reduced prices for annual passes. Whether in a National Park or other natural area, camping is a great way to get away while controlling costs. True, 24
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you’ll need gear, but it can be rented or borrowed until you are certain you love camping and will make it a hobby worth investing in. In addition to the cost of equipment, you’ll need to pay for the gas to get there and the groceries you’ll need to eat. Airfare fluctuates on a daily basis, not merely season by season. Search fare sales, bidding sites and package deals to save on airfare and lodgings. Stay in a hostel, bed and breakfast or dormitorystyle lodging. Once on the ground, take advantage of public transit and rail, free museums and sites, museum passes, free tours, the local paper’s events guide and Groupon deals for local restaurants and activities with good reviews. Research attractions, estimate the cost to do everything you’d like and do your best to save. Set a budget for
necessities like food and a separate budget for extras like souvenirs and side trips. Once on your trip, try to spend only cash. Spending cash on hand will help you realize and control how much you spend—without causing you to spend the next year paying off that getaway you put on your credit card.
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