MEMBER CONNECTIONS
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Warren Hoelscher - 40 years Operations Technician
Rosie Avalos - 40 years Senior Accountant
Chris Knetig - 30 years General Accounts Specialist
Manuel Mayorga - 25 years Line Superintendent
Employees Honored for Years of Service Thirteen employees were recently recognized by NEC retail’s parent company, Nueces Electric, for their years of service. Albert Gomez - 20 years Design Technician
Roland Trevino - 15 years Journey Line Worker
Warren Hoelscher and Rosie Avalos currently lead the 84-employee Co-op in total years served, with each of them having been with the company for 40 years of NEC’s 77 years in operation. Without a doubt, these two have wonderful stories of the electric industry, Co-op growth, deregulation, and technology advancement. Hoelscher would tell anyone just starting out to try hard and learn everything they can which will ultimately make them a more valuable employee. Avalos says she really enjoys working with number in accounting - she is always super proud to accept the challenge of balancing down to the penny!
Cassy Hill - 10 years Safety & Loss Control Manager
Paula Shadle - 10 year EDI Coordinator
Amanda Avila - 5 Years Chris Carrion - 5 years Member Care Network Administrator Texas Co-op Power January 2016 NEC Retail 18 Representative
Thank you to all thirteen employees who were recognized. You are the soul of the organization and the Co-op is only as good as those who work for it.
Joe Huerta III - 5 years Ricardo District Operations Supervisor
Angela Rodriguez - 5 Years Benito Torres - 5 years Member Care Journey Line Worker Representative www.necretail.com
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Nueces Electric Charities Each year the Co-op is able to donate approximately $125,000 to area 501c3 organizations thanks to members who round-up their electric bill to the nearest dollar. An example of our giving is a recent $7,500 donation to the Christus Spohn Care Van.
Richard Padilla helps a students from Noonan Elementary try on a pair of work gloves.
Co-op Field Trips For years Nueces Electric Cooperative has done things for area education. We have sent 50,000 book covers to outer - area schools for the past 10 years (recently we have opted to send safety folders instead). We have sent Safety Managers, Line Crews, and Human Resource employees to give safety presentations, worker demonstrations and to educate about jobs within the Co-op industry. For the past few years we have sent teacher curriculum kits to elementary and middle school teachers to educate students on efficiency and energy resources.
Christus Spohn Hospital’s director of Development, Linda Arnold, says, “Your gift has a huge impact on our ability to meet the medical needs of our underserved in the community.” All activity and screenings on the Care Van are free of charge to the uninsured and underserved. Routinely, clients are discovered to have dangerous health conditions which are revealed through screenings for cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and A1C evaluations. The program also offers prenatal healthcare and gynecological care. Thank you to the very generous NEC members who help us assist projects such as the Care Van. Because of you thousands of community members are positively impacted.
Now teachers can choose to have all of that education in one tidy package, via a free field trip. Area teachers are invited to bring their students for a day at the Co-op where they will learn about what Co-ops are, electricity resources including renewable and non-renewable energy, safety, and efficiency. In November, the Co-op hosted 4th graders from Kleberg Elementary and 4th graders from Alice Noonan Elementary. Kids called the trip “awesome” and school principals applauded the information presented. Ideally, the trip is beneficial for elementary and middle school students, but High Schools are also welcome. Teachers can choose modules to fit their TEKS needs and can customize the day to accommodate their time frame. Lunch is provided and small transportation grants are available on a first-come basis. For information, visit www.nueceselectric.org under the “Community” menu tab or call 361-767-7321.
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2016 grant deadlines: February 1st &
August 1st
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Stop Electric Shock Before It Stops You Electricity seems so easy to use that you probably take it for granted. But you might be surprised to learn that each year, electricity-related incidents in the home cause approximately 200 electrocutions, 4,000 shock injuries and 45,000 fires. Most people think injuries happen by chance or “accident”—a word that implies an event that can’t be foreseen or avoided. Electrical injuries typically can be both foreseen and avoided. Take time to learn how to avoid electricity’s hazards at home.
gwm u llis | istock.com
How Shock Happens Avoid electric shock by learning how electricity travels—and how to stay out of its path. Electricity always seeks the easiest path to the ground. It tries to find a conductor, such as metal, wet wood, water—or your body. The human body is 60–70 percent water, so if you touch an energized bare wire or faulty appliance while you are grounded, electricity will instantly pass through you to the ground, causing a shock that can be harmful, if not fatal.
Grounding: The Third Wire When you use a plug with three prongs, the third prong connects inside the outlet with a ground wire, which usually connects to a water pipe or a ground rod at the service panel. As a result, in case of a short circuit, electricity should flow through the grounding system instead of through you. To ensure this safeguard, you should never remove the third prong from a plug.
Use GFCIs for Extra Protection Ground-fault circuit interrupters are found in some outlets and service panels. They monitor the flow of The third prong on a plug is current to and from appliances. If there to protect you, so you there’s an imbalance in the flow, curshould never remove it. rent may travel through you, and the GFCI will immediately cut power to prevent serious injury. Use GFCIs in bathrooms and garages, near kitchen sinks and outdoors.
Appliance Safety Remember the most important rule for appliances: Electricity and water don’t mix. Keep all appliances away from bathtubs, sinks, puddles and wet hands. Wet skin increases the risk of shock, so unplug an appliance before cleaning it—even if it’s off it can shock. If an appliance overheats, unplug it and have it checked. Don’t overload outlets. Use only appliances that are approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories. 20
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A popping noise and even a slight odor signal that a compact fluorescent light bulb is working safely in its final hours.
Bulbs Die Differently Worried when you hear a compact fluorescent light bulb pop or sizzle? Don’t be fooled: These sounds signal that the bulb is working safely in its final hours. Smoke, a popping noise and a slight odor are typical of CFLs and do not pose a fire risk. About 150 million CFLs are sold every year in the U.S., according to Underwriters Laboratories. While the bulbs produce less heat and use less energy than incandescents, differences between the bulbs go deeper. As the first wave of CFLs begins to reach the end of its lifespan, consumers are learning that bulbs die differently, too. Most folks know how traditional incandescent light bulbs tend to burn out: a pop, a flash and, when shaken, the familiar rattle confirming that the bulb needs to be changed. With CFLs, the light dims over time, and the lamp may produce a more dramatic pop, emit a distinct odor and release some smoke. Sometimes the plastic at the base of a CFL will turn black, which is normal in most cases because safety standards require application of special flameretardant plastics. www.necretail.com
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Operation Finally Home When NEC Member Shayne Schroeder, of Shroeder Custom Homes, called us about a home building project for a veteran, he didn’t really need to say much else. Schroeder introduced NEC Retail to the Operation Finally Home project, which builds custom, mortgage free homes for severely wounded and disabled veterans. They have built 70 homes in Texas, and 80 percent of those have been built in the past three years. This specific home was built for Jeremy Bush, a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, Jessica Bush, Addison Bush, and Alexandria Bush. They were notified about the gift nine years to the day that Bush was injured in Afghanistan while conducting a movement from Bagram airfield to a destination located in Kabul. He suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as injuries to his back, neck and hips. Bush also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. The 1,986 square foot home was built in Portland, TX and features special accommodations for Bush as he lives with his military injuries, such as wider doorways and a roll-in shower. The new house was made possible by HEB, Operation Finally Home and the Builders Association of Corpus Christi. NEC Retail was among a plethora of project supporters. The Co-op provided free electricity during the construction of the home as well as two months of free electricity to the Bush family once they moved in. Congratulations to the Bush family and welcome to the co-op family !
Give friends and family the Best of Texas. The Best of Typically Texas Cookbook features more than 700 bestloved recipes from two of our most popular cookbooks. $29.95 each plus shipping. Now available at any NEC location. Call or stop by to purchase your copy today! 1-800-632-9288
Play & Win! If Your Account Number is:
20410-002
YOU WIN $25 off your electric bill! Call, NEC Retail before the 20th! www.necretail.com
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1.855.NEC.RD4U Grand Prize An all-expense paid Youth Leadership trip to Washington, D.C., $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 by the deadline. Judging All essays will be judged on accuracy of information, grammar, originality, and content. Winner(s) will be notified by March 31st.
Essay Topic: If the world’s electricity was permanently turned off tomorrow, how would it impact you?
Name ___________________________________________________________Grade _______________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________________________ City, State _______________________________________________T-Shirt Size ___________________________ 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 is 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 Essay Entries MUST be recieved on or before the deadline date
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SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION $4,000 scholarships Ramiro De la Paz Memorial Two
SCHOLARSHIP scholarships SCHOLARSHIPEight$1,000 APPLICATION Two $4,000 Awards and Eight $1,000and Awards!!! Deadline is Friday, February 12, 2016
ApplicationTwo Deadline: $4,000 Awards andFor Eight $1,000 Awards!!!& Details: Additional Applications February 12, 2016 Name _______________________________________________ ______________________________ Friday, February 12,Deadline 2016 is Friday,Date: www.necretail.com Address______________________________________________City ____________________ Zip_________ Email Address _____________________________________ Telephone____________________________ Name _______________________________________________ Date: ______________________________ High School Name ________________________________ City ____________________________________ Address______________________________________________City ____________________ Zip_________ Father/Guardian Name ________________________ Mother/Guardian Name _______________________ Email Address _____________________________________ Telephone____________________________ High School Name ________________________________ City ____________________________________ Give information under which the account is billed : Name ___________________________________________NEC AccountName # _________________________ Father/Guardian Name ________________________ Mother/Guardian _______________________ Billing Address__________________________________________________________________________ Give information under which the account is billed : Name ___________________________________________NEC Account # _________________________ Which Texas college or university do you plan to attend?
1st Choice ________________________________2nd Choice _____________________________________ Billing Address__________________________________________________________________________ Estimated college expenses for one (l) year _________________ Which Texas college or university do you plan to attend? To be complete, the Application Packet submitted must include: 1st Choice ________________________________2nd Choice _____________________________________
Completed two-page application
An official transcript from the High School the Applicant attends
Estimated college expenses for one (l) year _________________
To be complete, the Application Packet(Must submitted must A copy of SAT/ACT scores score over 23include: on the ACT or 1,500 on the SAT to be eligible)
Completed application One letter oftwo-page recommendation (from employers teachers, school administrators, or volunteer community or school activity coordinator) An official transcript from the High School the Applicant attends
A copy of SAT/ACT scores (Must score over 23 on the ACT or 1,500 on the SAT to be eligible)
In applying for this scholarship, I am aware that I must maintain above 2.5 average grade, be considered a Oneand letterdemonstrate of recommendation (from standards employers teachers, school or for renewal in full timestudent, acceptable of character to administrators, continue to qualify volunteer community or school activity coordinator) succeeding semesters. I understand that failure to meet the above requirements will result in the termination of the scholarship. I agree to permit the review of this Application and my school records, by In applying for this scholarship, aware that I mustInc. maintain above 2.5 average grade, be considered a anyone representing the NuecesI am Electric Cooperative, Education Fund. full time student, and demonstrate acceptable standards of character to continue to qualify for renewal in succeeding semesters. I understand that failure to meet the above requirements will result in the ____________________________________________ ___________________________________________ termination of the scholarship. I agree to permit the review of this Application and my school records, by Signature of Parent or Guardian Signature of Applicant anyone representing the Nueces Electric Cooperative, Inc. Education Fund. Mail application & documentation to NEC Scholarship Fund, 14353 Cooperative Ave, Robstown, TX 78380
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Signature of Applicant
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___________________________________________ Signature of Parent or Guardian
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Mail application & documentation to NEC Scholarship Fund, 14353 Cooperative Ave, Robstown, TX 78380
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1.855.NEC.RD4U Account Number ________________________
1. At this time, I maintain a Grade Point Average of _____ on a scale of ____ (e.g. 4.0 or 5.0 scale). 2. My SAT Score is: _______________
OR
My combined total ACT score is _______________
3. List academic honors received in High School: (additional pages may be attached)____________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 3. School & Community related clubs, activities, achievements: (additional pages may be attached) _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Name of Employer(s)
Type of Work
Length of Service
___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________
5. In approximately 100 words, write IN YOUR OWN LEGIBLE HANDWRITING: “My future life plans and how these plans will allow me to serve my community.� (please do not include the name of the university you plan to attend)
____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Mail application & documentation to NEC Scholarship Fund, 14353 Cooperative Ave, Robstown, TX 78380 Page 2 of 2
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