WELCOME TO THE SPRING ISSUE OF OUR EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER!
We hope the newsletter keeps you informed on employee and member updates. You will receive Between the Lines every three months. Each issue will feature employee anniversaries, birthdays, upcoming meetings and events, and more.
We want to hear from you!
Do you have information to include in the newsletter or an idea to improve communication? Send feedback, information, and photos to Jade at jadeg@butlerrural.coop.
Employee appreciation days PAGE 7 Co-op sponsored community events PAGE 13
Congratulations!
Congratulations to...
Lisa and Mike Broermann, who welcomed granddaughter Margaret "Margot" Jo Fletcher in January. Margot's parents are Taylor and JD Fletcher.
Debbie and Sam Carley, who welcomed grandson Caden John Agnew in February. Caden's parents are Natalie and Dalton Agnew.
Adam and Hannah Bens who welcomed daughter Gracie Mae Bens in March.
Julie and Brad Abbott, who welcomed grandson Evander Gael Abbott in March. Evander's parents are Ryan and Meagan Abbott.
2025 YOUTH TOUR
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is sending seven delegates on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C., June 15 through 21. These delegates will be announced in the June issue of Ohio Cooperative Living and will attend a Youth Tour Orientation at our office May 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Caden John Agnew
Gracie Mae Bens
2025 SCHOLARSHIPS
This spring, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative awarded eight scholarships to children of members who are high school seniors. Scholarship recipients will be announced in the May issue of Ohio Cooperative Living.
Caden Sparks, our top-placing scholarship recipient, will compete for up to $4,600 in additional scholarships from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives April 15.
Birthday Breakfast
MAY 7 • 7:30 TO 8 A.M.
If your birthday is in May or June, plan to join Tom and other employees in the Community Room from 7:30 to 8 a.m. for the second quarter birthday breakfast!
Join us for Energy Day
Monday, May 19
8:30 a.m. – Set up | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Students are here | 12 to 12:30 p.m. –Clean Up | 12:30 p.m. – Lunch will be provided for those who work the event
8 stations that will be 15 minutes each. You will repeat your station 8 times.
Station Options:
> Safety Demonstration in the back parking lot
> Snap Circuits in the garage
> Energy Bike Lab in the lineworker training room
> Energy Relay Game outside in the side yard
> Solar Talk with the Green Energy Machine at the Community Solar field
> Generation and Transmission Talk in the conference room
Please check with your supervisor and let Andy know if you would like to work this event .
All Employee Meeting
New Date |Thursday, May 22
COOK-OFF Chili
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Chili CookOff in February! Winners are listed below.
SPRING COMMUNITY CONNECTION GRANTS
Spring Community Connection grant recipients are listed at butlerrural.coop > Community > Community Involvement > Community Connection > Community Connection Grant Recipients and will be in the May issue of Ohio Cooperative Living.
Winner Ryan Kerr
Top three Wade Bullock, Ryan Kerr, and Kesley James
DO’S & DONT’S OF
SOCIAL MEDIA DO DON’T
Below are several tips to keep in mind as you post to your personal social media ac counts:
Do like and follow the co-op’s social media pages and accounts.
Do thoroughly review our social media policy and guidelines.
If you love your job, let folks know! Do consider rating and reviewing the co-op on social media.
Do like, share, and interact with content on the co-op’s social channels.
Do exercise caution and thoughtfulness when posting to social media.
Do consider making your accounts private to protect your personal details. Do post and/or share positive content:
• Photos and information about community events in which the co-op is involved. Members love seeing co-op employees investing in their hard work!
• Photos and information about events we host, like our annual meeting.
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC
Do not post negative comments about the co-op on social media channels. Consider every post to be public.
Do not respond to negative or angry posts by members. Our communications
you see a negative post from a member, give us a heads up!
Do not speak on behalf of the co-op.
Do not post financial, legal, or confidential information about the co-op, colleagues, and/or members
Do not post information or images you’re unsure about. Always check with someone in communications if you’re unsure.
Political Action Committee Breakfast
Friday, June 6 • 8 to 9 a.m.
We're inviting 323 members and 33 employees who contribute to America's Electric Cooperatives Political Action Committee, or PAC, and Ohio's Electric Cooperative's PAC to a breakfast at our office June 6. Members and employees will enjoy a free breakfast buffet and will hear from General Manager Tom Wolfenbarger, Ohio's Electric Cooperatives President and CEO Craig Grooms, and local and state representatives and legislators. If you contribute to PAC, you will receive an invitation with more information.
EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAYS
We're celebrating our employees in April! Departments will enjoy a special treat on the dates below.
Physical Facilities – Friday, April 4
Electrical Services – Monday, April 7
Corporate Services – Friday, April 11
Operations – Monday, April 14
Engineering – Friday, April 18
Accounting – Monday, April 21
Member Services – Friday, April 25
Human Resources – Monday, April 28
DON'T SKIP YOUR ANNUAL PHYSICAL
Staying focused on your health and well-being doesn't have to be overwhelming. One goal that's easy to accomplish is making an appointment for your annual physical.
Maybe you dread your annual physical or just don’t see it as a priority, but there are many reasons to forget your fears and prioritize your health.
WHY ARE PHYSICALS IMPORTANT?
Regular physicals create a health baseline and can help prevent serious illness. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Annual physicals help create a health baseline, which your physician can use to detect and prevent serious illness or disease.
Face-to-face visits help you connect with your primary care provider. Your annual physical is your opportunity to establish trust and share concerns and health care preferences before serious illness strikes.
Regular visits now can help you prepare for the future. Your annual physical is an opportunity to discuss personal and family history, which helps your care provider recommend actions that can prevent disease. It's also the opportunity to discuss health changes and conditions you should keep an eye on, diagnostic screenings you should consider, and diet and exercise adjustments you could make to keep you healthy now and into the future.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GET A PHYSICAL?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, healthy individuals in their 20s and 30s should see their primary care physician at least every two years. If you are 40 and over, you should see your primary care physician each year.
HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR PHYSICAL?
> Write down any questions you have. You don’t want to forget something important during the exam.
> Arm yourself with knowledge. Make sure you learn and understand your personal medical history and your family medical history. Make sure you come prepared with a list of all medications you're taking.
> Bring additional health data. This can be a food log, data from a fitness tracker, or personal blood pressure charting.
USE YOUR PREVENTATIVE EXAMS BENEFIT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR!
Each employee has three hours of paid time off to use for annual wellness exams. Preventative exams could detect health issues early, before they become serious and a lot harder to treat. Preventative exams include annual physicals, blood work, mammograms, colonoscopies, cervical cancer screenings, and dermatologist visits.
The NRECA Medical Plan covers adult physical exams, well-woman exams, well-child exams for dependents under 19, appropriate preventative tests, screenings, and immunizations based on age and gender, and immunizations each year. Schedule your preventative exam time off with your supervisor.
Make the choice to prioritize your health. Call your primary care physician and make an appointment today.
WHY SHOULD I HAVE A MAMMOGRAM?
• One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer
• Most women who develop breast cancer have no family history
• Mammograms can detect cancer 3 years before a tumor can be felt
• 2.8 million+ survivors
2025 SERVICE AWARDS
• 98% survival rate for early detection 30 YEARS Kim Phipps 25 YEARS
Daniel Chaney 20 YEARS Ray Brunner 15 YEARS
Larry Hornung 10 YEARS
Jade Guthrie
Cheryl Matthews
5 YEARS
Mason Miller
Riley Salyers
HAZARDS IN THE FIELD > WHAT TO LOOK FOR
It's important to report hazards in the field if you see something that looks off when you're outside the office, like when you're on your way home after work.
If you see something that could be dangerous, report it to Denis. One of our employees will inspect the problem and fix it if needed.
Report these problems even if you're unsure it's impacting an electric line or if you don't know if the electric line is in our territory. Doing so will keep our employees and the public safe.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Shown is a tree limb on a line. If you see this in our area, report it to Denis.
APRIL
Jade Guthrie
April 10
10 years
Ray Brunner
April 11
20 years
MAY
Denis Armstead
May 8 19 years
Cody Holthaus
May 8 2 years
Derk Beckett
May 24 21 years
Adam Osborn
May 30
8 years
JUNE
Tom Wolfenbarger
June 14 26 years
Jacob Harrison
June 17 1 year
Bob McIntosh
June 17
23 years
Ryleigh Persinger
June 19
2 years
Kim Phipps
June 26
30 years
POWERING a new tomorrow
2025 VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING
Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m.
If you're a co-op member – please see Andy to register for the meeting or register at butlerrural.coop. You will receive a $25 bill credit if you view or listen to the entire meeting.
FUTURE ME MAKE YOUR MOVE CHALLENGE
May 14 through June 10
Keep active by walking, gardening, strength training, or other physical activity and log 600 minutes of activity over the four-week challenge. You receive 50 points for registering and can earn 200 points for completing the challenge. Look for more information to come.
Committed to safety
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative's threeyear safety improvement goals (What we want to achieve over the next three years)
1. Review and improve safety rules and observation program
2. Improve/conduct ancillary training
3. Improve our emergency preparedness
Annual objectives for safety improvement (What we want to achieve this year)
1. Review up to 1/3 of the safety rules and guidelines as part of a continuing program
2. Perform a minimum of 12 crew observations for each lineman on staff
3. Conduct job site/crew audit with safety committee members
4. Perform job site audits of non-lineworkers
5. Conduct substation training of digital substations at Layhigh Substation
6. Conduct fork lift training
7. Conduct training for new skid loader attachments
8. Conduct active shooter training
9. Conduct a mayday tabletop exercise utilizing crisis communication plan
10. Conduct SCADA switching order training
11. Conduct NERC incident response tabletop
Upcoming events
APRIL
FIRST FINANCIAL BANK SEMINAR Get on the Right Path to Retirement: Maximize your Savings Today April 15
BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTION ENDS April 22
VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING April 24
BOARD MEETING April 30
MAY
BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST May 7
ENERGY DAY May 19
EMPLOYEE MEETING May 22
OFFICE CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY May 26
BOARD MEETING May 28
OXFORD SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL May 29
JUNE
PAC BREAKFAST June 6
BOARD MEETING June 25
2025 Community Events
ROSS LION’S CLUB EASTER EGG HUNT
Saturday, April 19
Visit the Ross High School Athletic Fields for candy eggs, prize eggs, a bike raffle, and more! Ross-area children and guests 12 years old and under are welcome to the egg hunt with their families.
OXFORD'S UPTOWN MUSIC CONCERT SERIES
Thursday, May 29
Enjoy a summer evening with us in uptown Oxford! Hear great music from Motown Sounds of Touch at this outdoor festival from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Bring your friends and family, blankets, and lawn chairs!
FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA AT HUESTON WOODS STATE PARK
Saturday, July 5
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative helps sponsor the Fireworks Extravaganza at Hueston Woods State Park. Enjoy a cookout, DJ, and fireworks launched from the middle of Acton Lake.
FAMILY DAY MEMBER APPRECIATION EVENT
Friday, July 11
One of our most popular events is our annual member appreciation day. Family Day is at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your family for free hot dogs, popcorn, Flub’s ice cream,
games, prizes, caricaturists, and more!
BUTLER COUNTY FAIR COOKOUT
Saturday, July 19
Junior fair exhibitors and their families enjoy a meal and relax after spending the day moving their animals and equipment onto the fairgrounds for the Butler County Fair, which begins the next day.
PREBLE COUNTY JUNIOR FAIR EXHIBITOR PICNIC
Friday, July 25
Butler and Darke Rural Electric Cooperatives sponsor this annual picnic at the Preble County Fairgrounds. Junior fair exhibitors and their families enjoy a meal and relax after spending the day moving their animals and equipment onto the fairgrounds for the Preble County Fair, which begins the next day.
LINKS TO COMMUNITY CONNECTION GOLF OUTING
Friday, August 1
Grab a team of four and join us at Indiana Ridge Golf Club to raise money for Butler Rural Community Connection!
CAMDEN BLACK WALNUT FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19
Visit the popular Black Walnut Festival with more than 135 vendors. Visitors will enjoy a fun fall festival including food trucks, kids zone, entertainment, parade, and car show.
Real IDs due May 7
Real ID laws are effective May 7. Every employee and/or spouse must have a real ID or a passport for the co-op to make travel arrangements for them. If you have not already done so, please see HR to update your information.
Retirement Seminars
Rachel DeRoeck, our NRECA field representative, will be here Thursday, July 17 to offer Retirement Plan Information.
We will host Personal Investment and Retirement Consulting (PIRC) Services October 21 through 23. A representative will be at our office to meet with employees during that time.
Connect Financials
Thank you for your patience during the transition of implementing the new electronic time-off requests and expense reporting in Connect Financials. We appreciate your willingness to learn the new processes!
Other information will also be available in Connect Financials in the future, like benefits and retirement information and acknowledgments for new documents and policies.
Employee birthdays
MAY
Ricky Zhang
May 8
Mason Miller
May 10
Derk Beckett
May 12
Mick Johnson
May 12
Riley Salyers
May 15
Joshua Smock
May 20
JUNE
Ryleigh Persinger
June 5
Tricia Blevins
June 12
Ryan Kerr
June 14
Bob McIntosh
June 17
Wade Bullock
June 20
Do you have information to include in the employee newsletter or an idea to improve communication? Send feedback, information, and photos to Jade at jadeg@butlerrural.coop.
Our mission
To be a dynamic, progressive organization guided by cooperative principles and to provide energy and other value-added services to its members. The cooperative will participate in its communities, providing leadership and support to improve the quality of life for all of its citizens.
