2015 Sept/October South Alabama Electric Cooperative Newsletter

Manager’s Comments

South Alabama Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees

Bill Hixon

Providing power at an affordable price MAX DAVIS GENERAL MANAGER

Our mission has been the same since 1937: to provide you with reliable power at the most affordable price. That remains the same today.

By keeping right-of-way trimmed and maintained, by utilizing technology and being good stewards of your cooperative,

we are able to meet the needs of a growing system.

Next month, your Alabama Living magazine will have a copy of SAEC’s annual report. Please take a few minutes to read the report and see how your cooperative is doing.

District 1

James Shaver District 2

Raymond Trotter District 3

Ben Norman District 4

DeLaney Kervin District 5

Norman D. Green District 6

Glenn Reeder District 7

James May At Large

Headquarters: 13192 U.S. Hwy 231 P.O. Box 449 Troy, AL 36081 800-556-2060 southaec.com 4 SEPTEMBER 2015

www.southaec.com

South Alabama Electric Cooperative

Annual Meeting Notice 2015 South Alabama Electric Cooperative will hold its 2015 Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, October 27, at the Pike County Cattlemen’s Complex on Highway 231 South in Troy, Ala. All cooperative members are reminded of their membership rights and are encouraged to attend this meeting.

The bylaws of the cooperative provide that an annual meeting is to be held on the last Tuesday in October each year at a time and place designated by the trustees. The purpose of this meeting is to elect trustees, to report the cooperative’s activities from the previous year and to transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

Any person, firm, association, corporation, political body or subdivision thereof may qualify for membership in the following manner: A) Written application; B) Agree to purchase from the cooperative electricity on the premises; C) Agree to comply with and be bound by the Articles of Conversion, bylaws, rules, and regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees; and D) Paying the membership fee.

No member may hold more than one membership in the cooperative, and no membership is transferable.

There is a trustee for each of the seven districts and one trustee serves at large. The trustees are elected on an alternate basis for a period of three years. Candidates are selected by a nominating committee and other nominations may be made by petition or from the floor. Election is by written ballot, with one vote allowed per member.

A list of nominations will be posted in the cooperative’s office and mailed to the members as provided in the bylaws. Names and addresses of the nomination committee are also available at the cooperative office

Just A Reminder!

Cooperative members are reminded to make sure your membership is in voting order. In order for a husband or wife to be eligible to vote at the annual meeting and be eligible to win prizes, the membership needs to be listed as Mr. and Mrs. You must come to the cooperative office and sign a form to make this change on your membership. All changes must be made prior to September 30, 2015, to be effective for this year’s annual meeting. Remember only the person (or persons) listed on the membership is eligible to vote and win prizes at the annual meeting.

If you have questions contact our office at 1-800-5562060.

South Alabama Electric’s Monthly Operating Report KWH Sold 30,301,063 Average Utility Bill $224.72 Average Use 1,855 kWh

Total Accounts Billed 16,335

Consumers per mile of line 6.06

Total Miles of Line 2,695 Information from June 2015

Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2015 5

2015 Annual Meeting is just around the corner It’s almost time for the 2015 Annual Membership Meeting of South Alabama Electric Cooperative. Come join us on Tuesday, October 27 at the Pike County Cattlemen’s Complex.

For over 75 years, South Alabama Electric Cooperative has been working to provide you - our members - with reliable electricity at an affordable price. And each year, we give you the chance to learn more about the cooperative that serves you at our annual membership meeting.

While you are there, enjoy musical entertainment provided by The Dixie Melody Boys and Derek Snellgrove.

Local gospel musician Snellgrove will kick off the day’s festivities. He has performed at numerous churches and events in our area and is a long time resident of Jack, Ala. Following Snellgrove will be the Dixie Melody Boys.

The group is led by. Ed O’Neal. His name has been synonymous with gospel music for over 50 years, and he can certainly be

6 SEPTEMBER 2015

labeled as one of the faithful and dedicated.

O’Neal joined The Dixie Melody Boys in 1961 and became owner and manager of the quartet just a few years later. During the past five decades The Dixie Melody Boys, led by O’Neal, have enjoyed tremendous success, including a Grammy nomination and numerous Fan Award nominations from The Singing News Magazine, Southern gospel music’s leading fan and trade publication. In the realm of personal achievement, a highlight of O’Neal’s career came in September of 2000 when he was named recipient of the Marvin Norcross Award, the highest honor presented at The Singing News Fan Awards Ceremony each year.

He was presented this award in recognition of his long-time service to his community, as well as the Southern gospel music industry. Additionally, in October of 2004 he was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed each year to Gospel Music legends.

One would think that after 50 years, a group would grow

www.southaec.com

South Alabama Electric Cooperative

complacent and rest on its laurels, but the current line-up of the Dixie Melody Boys immediately disproves that theory. Still anchored by bass Ed O’ Neal, along with quartet veteran Josh Garner at lead and newcomers, Aaron Dishman and Doug Pittman at baritone and tenor respectively, today’s Dixie Melody Boys are determined to continue their great legacy while breaking new ground in Southern gospel music. With perhaps the strongest vocal combination the group has seen in its illustrious history, the Dixie Melody Boys strive to present the very best in quartet music to glorify the Savior.

Following the entertainment, you’ll hear a report from our general manger, Max Davis, and exercise one of your most important membership duties selecting your board of trustee representation.

Members have a voice and a vote in how your co-op is governed. Through democratic control, members like you elect other members from our co-op to serve on the board of trustees.

This year District 5 (Delaney Kervin), District 6 (Douglas Green) and District 7 (Glenn Reeder) will be up for election. Your board of trustees, along with those who work for your co-op, are your friends and neighbors.

Alabama Living

We know you don’t get to choose who provides your electric service. But those served by an electric cooperative are not just customers, they are members. That means you have a say in how the organization operates and as an owner, it’s important for you to take a few minutes and learn about your electric cooperative.

South Alabama Electric cares about improving the quality of life in the areas they serve. We invest in local communities where you live and work.

Your membership also entitles you to certain benefits like energy audits that help you find ways to lower your electricity use, rebates for the installation of qualified heat pumps, and prompt, courteous service when you visit our office. You receive the Alabama Living magazine because you’re a member and we want you to stay abreast of important co-op news and events.

So mark your calendars and make plans to attend this year’s annual membership meeting so that you can learn more about the value of your membership.

SEPTEMBER 2015 7

South Alabama Electric Cooperative

Coffee County Arts Alliance kicks off new season The Coffee County Arts Alliance presents the 2015-2016 season featuring award winning performances.

On October 15, G r a m my Aw a r d winner recording artist Guy Penrod performs at the Enterprise High School Performing Arts Center. Penrod, a top selling Southern gospel performer, spent 14 years as the lead Guy Penrod singer of the Gaither Vocal Band before launching a successful solo ministry. Known for his country styling, Penrod’s music has been applauded in the gospel as well as the country formats. He is one of the most in-demand touring artists in Christian music.

Branson On The Road – Christmas Style. What do you get when you bring together the fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, upright slap bass, beautiful rhinestone costumes, hilarious c o m e d y, a n d bluegrass, rockabilly and gospel music? Only one answer, Branson On The Road – Christmas Style.

Begin your holiday with this Branson style performance for the entire family. The show is at the Elba High School on December 8.

The Second City: Fully Loaded takes the stage at the Enterprise High School Performing Arts Center.

8 SEPTEMBER 2015

Chicago’s legendary sketch and improv comedy theater finds laughs in everything from hot button topics to headlines, and mixes these with a generous portion of classic Chicago-style sketch and improv created by some of Second City’s most lauded alumni, including Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and more. The performance is January 21, 2016, and may contain mature content.

The last performance of the season is The Official Blues Brothers Review, presented by Dan Aykroyd, Judith Belushi and music director Paul Shaffer. The show combines the comedy and hits from the original movie and pays homage to Chicago’s rich history of blues, gospel and soul music. Hear all the Blues Brothers classics such as “Soul Man,” “Rubber Biscuit,” “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Raw Hide” and “Gimme Some Lovin’.” This performance is March 17, 2016, at the Enterprise High School Performing Arts Center.

The season closes with the Piney Woods Arts Festival, April 2 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and April 3 (noon – 4 p.m.), on the grounds of Enterprise State Community College. One of the oldest juried arts and crafts show in the area, Piney Woods features original art and crafts by approximately 100 artists, a children’s fun center, food and entertainment. Special events include a Civil War Living Display and the Weevil City Cruisers Car and Truck Show. Admission is free.

All theater performances are at 7 p.m. For information, call 334-406-2787 or visit www.CoffeeCountyArtsAlliance.com. Performances are made possible by support from corporate and individual memberships, by the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets are available at these locations: •David’s Westgate Beauty Salon • 334-406-1617 • Enterprise •Redbrick Pizza (next to Publix) • 334-475-2156 • Enterprise •The Framery • 334-347-7800 • Enterprise •Bradley Florist and Gift Shop • 334-897-3422 • Elba •Wildflowers Florist & Gifts • 334-897-3010 • Elba •The Printing Press, Inc. • 334-566-4060 • Troy •MaFoosky’s Deli • 334-598-3030 • Daleville •Harbin Jewelers • 334-774-4427 • Ozark

Find all your back to school supplies in

Brundidge www.brundidgealabama.org

and Open Membership 1. Voluntary Cooperatives are voluntary organizations; open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.

Member Control 2. Democratic Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by the members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives are other levels are organized in a democratic manner.

Economic Participation 3. Members’ Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of 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.

and Independence 4. Autonomy Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.

Training and Information 5. Education, Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute

effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

Among Cooperatives 6. Cooperation Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.

for Community 7. Concern While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

Alabama Living

MONTH 2013  35