ORU REPORT
ORU OPERATION ROUND UP OEC FOUNDATION, INC.
OEC Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors
Alan Davenport, president Beckie Turner, vice president Ronnie Fulks, secretary/treasurer Betty Allen • Pat Ragsdale Vivian Gibson • Vickie Gray Carla Kimberling • Travis Scott
Next Meeting Visit www.okcoop.org/oru Applications Due Visit www.okcoop.org/oru Applications available at www.okcoop.org/oru OEC Foundation, Inc. Financial Statement Beginning Balance 5/15/20 ............................. $224,019.18 June deposit ........................ $21,629.03 Interest ...................................... $373.54 Checks issued ................... -$46,590.99 Approved, not paid ............ -$33,993.02 Ending balance 6/19/20 ..... $165,437.74 Financial Statement by: Amanda Dierking
OEC Foundation board committed to serving their communities
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ince 1994, community leaders have served on the OEC Foundation board. Their goal? Help meet the needs of individuals, families and nonprofit agencies in their communities which are also our communities. Founded as a way to meet one of the core cooperative principles — Concern for Community — the OEC Foundation works to improve the standard of living for all our neighbors. To that end, tens of thousands of OEC members generously round up their electric bills each month with that small change (from one cent to 99 cents per month) going into the Operation Round Up® (ORU) fund. An independent board of nine people, nominated by OEC trustees based on their community involvement and volunteer experience, review applications and determine disbursements. Each board member is special and brings a unique perspective to his and her work on the Foundation. The board consists of three retired principals (elementary, middle school and high school), a full-time rancher and farmer, a retired farmer, a retired registered nurse, a small business owner, a retired communications technician and a retired administrative assistant. Nine people who represent our nine districts and come from varying sectors of society come together for the benefit of the whole OEC family. “As an OEC member, I am proud of how ORU operates to serve the needs within its territory without bias, even for non-OEC members,” said Carla Kimberling, District 8 board member serving east Norman, south Oklahoma City and Midwest City. “I didn’t fully understand the scope of ORU when I first joined the board. The Foundation operates independently of OEC business. We focus on the needs of individuals to make meaningful impact on their situations and on nonprofit agencies to support their missions of improvement to our communities. I am also proud of how OEC is leading the way to provide internet service in areas most in need.” Vivian Gibson, a founding member of the OEC Foundation in her 27th year of service, represents District 5 serving core Norman and Noble. While not an OEC member, Gibson was invited to serve on the OEC Foundation board because of her extensive community involvement and commitment to service. Her volunteerism and board service for the American Red Cross, United Way, Human Rights Commission, Crossroads Youth and Family Services, and others makes her just the kind of board member OEC was looking for. “The OEC Foundation Operation Round Up program is one of the greatest around for helping individuals,” said Gibson. “I serve because I feel like I am helping to make a difference in someone’s life.” Vickie Gray from the Little Axe/Stella area serves District 2 which also represents McLoud, Pink and Bethel Acres. As a member of the Little Axe Chamber of Commerce, the Little Axe American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, and active in many church groups and community events, Gray is an admirable representative for her district although she does not receive electric service from OEC. “Serving on the OEC Foundation to help meet the needs of so many is a blessing,” said Gray. “From helping individuals with dental care to emergency responders with equipment to feeding the homeless, I am proud of what we do.” Betty Allen of District 1, serving west Norman and Moore, said she is continued on page 7 >>
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Oklahoma Electric Co-op News • July 2020
