NEC Retail January 2015 by Nueces Electric

MEMBER CONNECTIONS

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Supporting Us Helps You Members’ Economic Participation is the third of our Seven Cooperative Principles John L. Sims, NEC CEO

PAYING MONEY TO PARTICIPATE in a business might not seem

like a privilege, but it is—when that business is an electric cooperative. The money you put in to become a member of Nueces Electric Cooperative not only helps us light your homes and businesses, but it also helps to improve the quality of life for everyone in our service area. The text below is from the International Cooperative Alliance’s summary of the third cooperative principle, Members’ Economic Participation: “Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.” So what do those words mean? Let’s take a closer look. Chances are, when you joined NEC, you paid a membership fee of $15. That fee is your part of the equity or your share of ownership. You also do something else every month that allows your co-op to keep the lights on: You pay your bill. As a member, your paid-in share ensures that you have a say in co-op business through your elected board of directors. The board sets the strategic direction of the cooperative, then the

management and staff put that direction into action. At the end of the fiscal year, if the co-op has received more money from members than it needed to cover expenses, a portion is set aside for reserves—which is like a savings account for the co-op. If a storm or flood comes through, the co-op will have the funds to do the needed repairs. Any remaining amount is allocated to each member based on how much electricity they used during the year. Once the board decides the co-op is financially sound enough to release these allocated margins, members receive them as capital credits checks or credits on their bills. This is just one way your co-op gives back to its communities. Although the safe, reliable and affordable provision of electricity is our primary mission, the co-op also values its members and finds many other ways to enrich the quality of life in our service area. Nueces Electric Cooperative is not some large power company headquartered in a far-off state with stockholders from around the world. We are right here in the Coastal Bend of Texas. We were formed in 1938 by neighbors and friends who came together and contributed their own money with the goal of bettering their lives with electricity. Our goal is to continue to do that—improve the quality of our members’ lives—with the same neighborly approach. Our Seven Cooperative Principles guide us. And your economic participation helps us make sure our focus is always on you, the member-owner.

For big businesses, small businesses, farms and homes, electric cooperative memberships provides benefits beyond reliable electricity.

Texas Co-op Power NEC Retail January 2015

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Thank You Members We are the

From Left: Frank Wilson (NEC Retail Manager), Michelle Mathis, Kenneth Krueger (Retail Supervisor), Velma Vasquez, Beatrice Reyes.

BEST because we serve the BEST!

For the second year in a row, NEC Retail has received the great honor of being named the Corpus Christi Caller Times #1 Best of The Best Retail Electric Provider. NEC Retail truly appreciates this honor as it is a public vote and voters have to make an effort to vote online, mail in their vote or attend the show to submit a vote. When asked “Why did the Caller-Times readers pick your business to be the Best of the Best?” we didn’t have to go far for the answer! Very simply put: Excellent customer care, money back to members, and no rate games, mean we truly care about you. NEC Retail could not be more thankful to the member/owners who acknowledged those efforts by selecting us for this award. As a hometown company, NEC Retail is the best choice for your home or business. NEC Retail has worked hard this past year to enhance our ability to serve members. We have implemented more member benefit programs, like the Military Appreciation Credit, we have enhanced our website to include electronic enrollments, program applications and contact us forms, and we have enhanced our billing system to include paperless billing. We strive each and every day to ensure we are meeting your needs and are constantly evaluating how the co-op can increase member benefits and increase ways to give money back millions of dollars to you. How many electric retail providers do you know who can say that? You are our boss and NEC Retail takes your feedback very seriously. This community recognition speaks volumes and we are thankful you spoke up and voted us #1! www.necretail.com

Co-op Power NEC Retail January 2015 Texas

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1.855.NEC.RD4U Grand Prize An all-expense paid Youth Leadership trip to Washington, D.C. with approximatly 125 other Texas Youth Leaders, $250 spending money, and clothes for each day you are on the trip. Eligibility High school sophomores & juniors who are dependents of active NEC members. Contest Rules 1. The essay must correspond with the NEC title topic. 2. The essay must be between 300-500 words in length, typed and double-spaced 3. Questions should be addressed to: NEC Youth Tour Contest coordinator, Julie Bedsole 361-767-7321 or jbedsole@nueceselectric.org 4. The application, essay, and a photo of the contestant must be recieved bythe deadline. Judging All essays will be judged on accuracy of information, grammar, originality, and content. Winner(s) will be notiﬁed by March 31st.

2015 Short Essay Topic: As a teenager, what is your one most valued use of electricity? Name ___________________________________________________________Grade _______________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________________________ City, State _______________________________________________T-Shirt Size (Circle one- Unisex) S M L XL Zip Code ________________ Telephone # _____________________ E-mail ______________________________ High School______________________________City _______________________ County ___________________ To enter the Youth Tour contest, contestant’s legal guardian must be an active member of Nueces Electric Co-op:

Parents/Guardian: Father ______________________________ Mother _________________________________ NEC Account Name __________________________________ NEC Account # _____________________________ E-Mail: _________________________________ Telephone # __________________________________________ Youth Tour Winner Requirements  Must be able to ﬂy in an airplane, ride in a car, bus, or boat for up to 12 hours (with breaks) in a single day.  Must be able to assist NEC in promotion of the Youth Tour program at the October Annual Membership Meeting.  NEC reserves the right to select the runner up or another contestant for the Youth Tour Trip if the winner if found to be a poor representative of the Youth Tour program and NEC.  The winner’s guardian must sign a waiver of release for the winner to participate on the Youth Tour.  All essays become the property of Nueces Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Contestant’s Statement By signing below, I attest that I fully understand all of the rules and requirements of this contest and what will be required of me in the event I should win the contest.

Signed ______________________________________ Date _________________________________________ Submit essay entry along with this cover page and a photograph suitable for publication to: Nueces Electric Co-op, Inc.; Attn: Youth Tour Contest, 14353 Cooperative Ave, Robstown, TX 78380 or e-mail to: jbedsole@nueceselectric.org or fax to: 361.933.1178

Texas Co-op Power NEC Retail January 2015

Essay Entries MUST be recieved before 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2015

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Calling All High School Seniors! NEC Scholarship Program Deadline is February 13, 2015 Download the application and track down your GPA and your SAT/ACT! Any high school senior who is a direct dependent of a Nueces Electric Cooperative Member is eligible to apply for the Ramiro De La Paz Memorial Scholarship. The Ramiro De La Paz Memorial Scholarship is funded by escheated (unclaimed) capital credits that the state of Texas grants back to NEC to utilize for youth education programs. Download your application at www. necretail.com (under Youth Programs) and submit it to Nueces Electric Cooperative by Friday, February 13, 2015.

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Two $4,000 scholarships and

four $1,000 scholarships Print the Application at: www.necretail.com (Under Youth Programs)

Deadline:

Friday, February 13., 2015

Mail to:

Nueces Electric Cooperative Attn: Scholarship Program 14353 Cooperative Ave Corpus Christi, TX 78380

Co-op Power NEC Retail January 2015 Texas 足足

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Kingsville Economic Development Council Executive Director, Dick Messbarger, and NEC’s Frank Wilson

Co-op Supports Kingsville EDC Nueces Electric Cooperative recently donated $2,500 to the Kingsville Greater Economic Development Council (KEDC). The funds will go toward general operations such as maintaining and expanding the military presence of NASK.

Messbarger says, “ NEC has been such a great partner because they understand. They understand we look to grow the community population and they support our efforts by ensuring the greater demand of electricity is met.”

NEC is not a stranger to this community partner. Including today’s donation, the co-op has donated $2,500 a years since 2010 for a total of $12,500 in donations.

In 2014 alone, the Kingsville Greater Economic Development Council was instrumental in growth which brought over 1,000 housing starts to the Kingsville area.

KEDC Executive Director, Dick Messbarger, said one of our own, Frank Wilson, has been an excellent Board member for the KEDC for several years Frank brings great value to the table and ensures NEC is well represented in the Kingsville area community expansion efforts. As many of these expansions occur within the NEC power distribution territory, the co-op grows due to the opportunity to serve these members by building and maintaining their powerlines.

Nueces Electric Cooperative’s focus is not only on housing growth, but as the owner of the powerlines for both NASK and NASCC, the co-op partners with the KEDC to ensure community military needs are being met.

Texas Co-op Power NEC Retail January 2015

NEC appreciates the Kingsville Greater Economic Development Council and we look forward to partnering with them further in the future.

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Answering the Call This past Fall, NEC Retail had the opportunity to support the ‘Rotary Adoption Awareness” picnic held in Corpus Christi as a joint collaboration between nine Rotary groups. Our own Frank Wilson, NEC Retail Manager and Northwest Rotary President Elect, and Dr. Rumaldo Z. Juarez, NEC District 1 Board of Director, volunteered with the event. NEC Retail sponsored the event and provided goody bags. Dr. Juarez, says, “This was an awesome event that Nueces Electric Co-op can be very proud of sponsoring. The outcome of this event is that several foster children find a permanent home.” According to the Rotary of Corpus Christi website, there are currently around 14,000 children are available for adoption in CPS’ territory from San Antonio to the Valley. Every year, several Rotary Clubs in the Coastal Bend work together with CPS to increase awareness about adoptable children and provide an opportunity for prospective parents and adoptable children to interact. CPS invites their adoption agencies like Spaulding for Children and Circles of Care to bring the children wanting to be a part of a family to this fun event. They played games, had lunch, and won prizes. According to event organizer, Andy Crocker, there were 109 volunteers (including Rotaract and Interact students), approximately 50 foster/adoptable children, and 14 adopting sets of parents. Prospective parents were not only

FUTURE HOME OF

U.S. NAVY CPO JERAMY BUSH & FAMILY

from Corpus Christi, but from Weslaco and McAllen as well. Crocker pointed out the majority of adoptable kids at the event this year were teenagers. He says, “Teenagers are harder to adopt so the exposure is more important to them. These are children who want to find permanent homes.” The event has been successful in the past with making several connections. But as for this event, there is no word yet if there was a successful match made. Due to testing and classes, it usually takes up to six months for an adoption to come to fruition. Thank you to the Rotary for including NEC Retail in this event.

Powering a New Start NEC Retail is proud to partner with Operation Finally Home to build their first home in the Coastal Bend. The main project partners are the Builders Association of Corpus Christi Area and HEB. After NEC Retail received an invitation to the ground breaking, we wanted to see what we could do to further help the cause. As a result NEC Retail will be covering the electricity cost to build the home and offering the new tenants two free months of electricity. “We have the Military Appreciation Credit but we just wanted to do a little something extra to show our military we support them and their fellow servicemen 100%,” said NEC CEO John Sims. We are looking forward to celebrating this new home. For more information, or to make a donation, visit: www.crowdrise.com/ OFHCoastalBend

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Please join the Builders Association of Corpus Christi Area

Co-op Power NEC Retail January 2015 Texas

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Five New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home Don’t Get Scammed It’s becoming more and more common for thieves to target people for scams over the telephone. They call and say they’re collecting on an overdue bill and try to scare their target with threats of disconnecting their electric service. These scammers ask you to purchase payment or gift cards and to call them back with the numbers on the back of the purchased card; or they are trying to get your bank account or credit card numbers so they can rob you.

Clean every appliance in your house. Your refrigerator’s coils can get dusty and

clogged, which makes it work harder—and that’s an unnecessary waste of energy. The inside of your microwave oven should be spotless; if it’s not, then the machine is using energy to “cook” leftover food particles that nobody’s going to eat. Even your dishwasher and washing machine need cleaning—inside and out—to prevent mold and clogs.

Snake your clothes dryer vent. Do this at least twice a year to rid it of lint and

debris, which can catch on fire if it clogs the vent and prevents airflow. And be sure to clean the lint screen after each use.

Clear the area around your water heater and your outdoor air-conditioning unit.

Appliances give off heat and take in air. If you’ve got boxes, suitcases, Christmas decorations or plants stacked up against them, they can’t do their jobs efficiently.

Have your heating and air-conditioning systems checked out by an HVAC profes-

sional, who can tell you if they need repairs. Ask the tech to check your filters and change them if they’re clogged with dust.

Change the batteries in all of your home’s smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If you don’t have those devices, move this item to the top of your list of reso-

lutions and install them today.

Remember that if an authentic employee of your electric cooperative calls you on the phone, he or she will never ask you to pay immediately. So if someone calls and claims to work for the cooperative and asks you to pay immediately, or purchase a payment card, hang up and call the co-op directly using a number you know belongs to the co-op.

Keeping appliances and light fixtures clean saves energy and reduces fire risk. Resolve to set up a regular schedule to keep them all clean and bright year-round.

Unfortunately, tracking down scammers is difficult for law-enforcement and consumes vast amounts of time they would rather dedicate to street crime. The best line of defense is to use your intuition and educate yourself on the various types of scams.

Texas Co-op Power NEC Retail January 2015

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Convenient Payments Pay Online www.necretail.com This is the #1 way to pay your bill and manage your account. Access your account 24 hours a day from any computer. Just click “Pay Your Bill”, on homepage. While you are there, sign up for other payment programs and other member benefits like Operation Round-up.

Play & Win! If Your Account Number is:

10135-002

Pay by Automatic Credit or Bank Draft: If you prefer to not use the computer, you can still sign up to have your account drafted for your monthly bill. Level Billing Don’t let your bill be a surprise each month. Take control with Level Billing. where your bill is based on a rolling 12-month average. So your bill remains consistent all year. (Must be in good payment standing) Pay by Mail: P.O. Box 659832 ~ San Antonio, TX 78265

YOU WIN $25 off your electric bill! Call, NEC Retail before the 20th!

Pay using a Fidelity Express Pay Station There is an additional $1.50 service charge.

Take Note Of The New Payment Address s to: Mail Payment NEC Retail 32 PO Box 6598 TX San Antonio, 78265

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

NEC Retail will be closed Thursday, January 1, to allow employees to ring in the new year with their families. We wish you and yours a healthy, prosperous and happy new year!

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Co-op Power NEC Retail January 2015 Texas