NAEC offers alternatives to paying in lobbies • Member Account Portal — Go to www. naeci.com and log in to your account. If logging in for the first time, click “New User” to create a user ID and password. The email, last four of the Social Security number and last four of the phone number you enter must match what NAEC has on file. • NAEC Mobile App — Log in to your account using the free app. Please note: You cannot create a user ID and password through the app at this time. You must complete the “New User” process on the portal at www.naeci.com the first time. • Drive-throughs — Visit the Salem or Mountain Home lanes 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. • Drop-boxes — Place a check with your account number(s) in the drop-box found at our three offices. In an effort to help our members, NAEC will not disconnect anyone for nonpayment while the governor’s state of emergency declaration is in place. If you are struggling to pay your bill, a member service representative can provide information on the government’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Please call 870-895-3221 or email info@naeci.com. As the suspension is not a bill waiver, we encourage you to pay at least some if able. This will keep you from having such a large balance when disconnection procedures resume. IN GRATITUDE — NAEC’s offices will be closed May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. We honor those who sacrificed for our country. Crews will be on call in the event of an outage. Please call 870-895-3221 or use the NAEC Mobile App to report.
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If you previously paid your bill in one of our offices, NAEC wants you to know the other methods available while the lobbies temporarily are closed to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. The most convenient payment method is automatic bank draft. Enrolling in this free service ensures the bill is paid on time each month and eliminates the cost of a stamp or time spent in the drive-through lane. Automatic bank draft would be an electronic transfer from your bank account to NAEC’s each month. You would continue to receive an itemized statement of the bill. On or about the 10th of every month, the amount of the bill would be deducted from your account. To enroll in automatic bank draft, please call 870-895-3221 or sign up through the Member Account Portal at www.naeci.com. Other payment methods include: • Mail — Send a payment in the return envelope enclosed in the statement. • Phone — Call NAEC at 870-895-3221 to make a payment with a Member Services employee during business hours or any time through our automated system. Reach the automated phone system by dialing 870-8953221 and entering extension 1952. Use either your account number or a phone number on file to access your account and pay by credit or debit card or e-check.
C/O Survey & Ballot Systems 7653 Anagram Drive Eden Prairie MN 55344-7311
Presorted First-Class Mail U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #31639 TWIN CITIES MN
Check Mail Ballot Arrivin Second Weekg of May
Members will receive the ballot for the director election as well as the 2019 Annual Report in an envelope like the one above. It will include a prepaid postage return envelope to send the completed ballot back to Survey & Ballot Systems.
Members to vote by mail for Izard, Sharp director positions For the first time, North Arkansas Electric Cooperative will conduct the election for open board of directors seats by mail. Members will receive an envelope with the NAEC logo from Survey & Ballot Systems the second week of May. The Minnesota company is handling the election and tabulation of votes on behalf of NAEC. Along with the ballot, the envelope will include the 2019 Annual Report, candidate biographies and prepaid postage return envelope. Members will use this envelope to mail the ballot back to Survey & Ballot Systems. Ballots cannot be mailed to NAEC or dropped off at an NAEC office. Any sent to NAEC will not be counted. Ballots must be received by Survey & Ballot Systems before June 2 to be considered valid. Director Larry Goodwin is running unopposed for the open Sharp County position. Director Dennis Wiles and Phyllis Wolfe are running for the open Izard County position. Results will be published in The Messenger and on www.naeci.com. Members with any questions on the election process may contact NAEC at info@naeci.com or 870-895-3221.
Annual Meeting format changes due to COVID-19 For the safety of members and employees during the coronavirus pandemic, NAEC will not hold its traditional Annual Meeting of entertainment, registration gift and barbecue at Fulton County Fairgrounds. Instead, member appreciation events will be held at each office at a later date. Annual Meeting will entail only a business session at the co-op’s Salem headquarters.
Check home for four common culprits of electrical fires May is National Electrical Safety Month, which is the perfect time to evaluate the safety of your home’s electrical system. Outdated wiring and overloaded circuits are the most common causes of electrical fires. Check the following areas of your home to ensure your home’s electrical safety is up to par. 1. Electrical outlets: Faulty electrical outlets are a leading cause of home fires. As outlets age, so do the wires behind them that you can’t see. Any loose, damaged or warm-to-the-touch outlets should be repaired or replaced. 2. Electrical wiring: Outdated wiring is another common cause of elecOverloaded outlets can trical fires. Frequently tripped breakers, flickering lights and burning create a risk of an electrical smells are clear warning signs. If your home is more than 20 years old, fire. A solution is to call an it may not be able to handle today’s increased power load. If you suspect electrician to install addiyour home’s wiring is outdated, leave this one to the pros and contact a tional outlets. qualified electrician. 3. Overloaded cords and outlets: Extension cords are not permanent solutions. If your big-screen TV, home theater system and other electronics are plugged into one extension cord, it’s time to call an electrician and install additional outlets. 4. Old appliances: Older appliances are more likely to have loose or damaged wiring, which means they’re more likely to catch fire. Check older appliances for damage and determine if it’s time to upgrade or replace. Also check to ensure you’re using appliance-grade outlets. A qualified electrician can help with installation.
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