2022 Annual Meeting
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 ANNUAL MEETING
3 EMPLOYEE MILESTONES
4 OPERATION ROUNDUP
5 SOLAR
6 SMARTHUB
7 QUICK LINKS
8 LINEWORKER QUIZ
Contact Us: 765-544-2600 Outage Reporting: 800-284-3452
We are excited to welcome members again for a festival-style event that is sure to please. On Wednesday, July 13, from 4 PM to 8 PM, we will open our doors for an evening of fun and fellowship to all members wishing to attend. Members will need to attend the meeting this year to receive the $10 bill credit. Music will be provided by the bluegrass band Moon Cave Ramblers, Chick-fil-A will cater food and the kids' area will include bounce houses and two performances from Silly Safari. Don't worry about the heat, Thornburg Consessions will be back with their ice cream trailer. Please look in next month's newsletter for additional details.
Deadline Approaching Being an electric cooperative member offers a unique opportunity to be a part of the decision-making process. Because RushShelby Energy is a cooperative, it is owned by its members. That means members are responsible for electing other members to take leadership positions on the board of directors and help guide the cooperative. Each year, RushShelby Energy holds an Annual Meeting and encourages members to attend and vote for the directors of their choice. Members interested in being a board candidate may have his or her name placed on the ballot by completing a petition. The petition must have 15 signatures from other RushShelby Energy members living anywhere on our cooperative system. If you picked up a petition from our office, remember it must be completed and returned by May 6, 2022.
Districts Up For Election District 2 Represents:
(USPS 171-360 Published Monthly)
Contributors: Cathy Rhoades, Brad Rogers, Jared Seiffert and David Toll Publication Office: 2777 S. 840 W. Manilla, IN 46150 Periodical Postage paid in Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ELECTRAWATT P.O. Box 55, Manilla, IN 46150
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www.rse.coop
District 2 Mark Nigh
Hancock County - Sugar Creek Township Shelby County - Moral (Eastern half) and Van Buren (West of State Road 9) Townships.
District 5 Represents:
District 5 Fred Smith
Fayette County - Columbia, Connersville, Fairview (South of 400 North), Harrison, Jackson and Union Townships.
District 8 Represents:
District 8 Dean Bacon
Rush County - Anderson, Noble, Orange, Richland, Rush and Walker Townships. Decatur County - Clinton and Fugit Townships.
Employee Milestones
In March, RushShelby Energy honored a group of employees for their years of service. Mac Simpson, Meter Technician, led the employees this year, reaching the 35-year mark. Other employee milestones were Greg File and Dave Sheehan, Working Foremans, 30 years. Tony Adkins, Serviceman and Cathy Rhoades, Marketing/Member Services Coordinator, reached 20 years. Jerry Garrett, Journeyman Lineman, 15 years; Matt Busald, Journeyman Lineman and John Herbert, Staking Technician, 10 years.
Safety Awards
10 Years Matt Busald John Herbert
15 Years Jerry Garrett
20 Years
Tony Adkins Cathy Rhoades
30 Years
Greg File Dave Sheehan
35 Years Matt Busald and John Herbert were recognized for 10 years of safety.
Mac Simpson
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- making a difference locally Operation RoundUp is a simple program and does just what the name implies. Your energy bill is rounded up to the nearest whole dollar every month. These additional contributions are applied toward community relief. The average co-op member donates $6 per year, though never more than 99 cents per month. While individual contributions may not seem like much at a glance, we can significantly impact our community when we join together. Operation RoundUp Trustees met on February 17, 2022 and awarded grants to the following not-for-profit organizations: Imagination Library of Franklin County, Rushville Township Volunteer Fire Department, St. Joseph Catholic School and Waldron Volunteer Fire Department.
Applying for a Grant-
Operation RoundUp receives many applications that do not meet the necessary requirements every year. To increase your chance of receiving a grant, please carefully follow the guidelines listed on the front page of the Grant Application Form and look through the brief survey below. This list of questions is helpful to ask before beginning your grant application. If you answer YES to each of these questions, your organization may be a good candidate for a grant. • Are you within the RushShelby Energy service territory in Bartholomew, Decatur, Fayette, Franklin, Hancock, Henry, Johnson, Rush or Shelby Counties? • Are you a not-for-profit organization, government entity, school district or college that has been granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service? • Does your organization contribute to the entire community's health and/or welfare? • Are your services nondiscriminatory in nature? • Will the grant money go toward something that stays with the organization? • Does this grant benefit residents of the RushShelby Energy service area and surrounding area? Operation RoundUp grant applications forms can be found at www.rse.coop. Grant cycle deadlines are the first Thursday of the month in February, May, August and November. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Cathy Rhoades at 765-544-2938.
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Jeff Standeford, ORU President, presents a check to St. Joseph Catholic School
Jeff Standeford,ORU President, presents a check to the Waldron Vol Fire Dept
Rushville Volunteer Fire Department
Jessica Boger, MSR, presents a check to Franklin County Imagination Library
Next Grant Cycle Deadline is May 5, 2022
Solar Panels We want to warn our members about potentially DECEPTIVE sales tactics in our area regarding solar panels. The practices of some solar companies have been the topic of discussion among electric cooperatives across the country for some time now. It was a story picked up by CBS Indianapolis and we wanted to share a link to the report, https://cbs4indy.com/indiana-news/dozens-ofcustomers-heated-after-installing-solar-panels/, for awareness. Please be extra careful about accepting sales pitches, especially those that SOUND TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. BEFORE you sign any contract to install solar, PLEASE CALL US. We are here to help you and have your best interests in mind. Many solar panel salespeople only seem concerned about making a profit - not about you. THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING SOLAR 1. Contact RushShelby Energy: We support our members investing in solar energy. We want to make sure you have all the facts before you purchase. RSE is your local, trusted cooperative and we are here to answer any questions you may have. 2. Choose a reputable vendor: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You should never be pressured into making such a significant life-changing purchase. Make sure you are working with a reputable vendor. Be cautious of vendors that approach you directly. You should be seeking them out. Most will tell you something along the lines of, "you will eliminate your electric bill, and this will cost you nothing." 3. Know your co-op's rate structure and interconnection purchased power policies: Your local not-for-profit energy provider can help you understand the rate structure your services fall under, types of charges likely to be incurred, as well as how you may be compensated for the excess energy you do not use that is generated by your solar system. 4. Determine the costs upfront: RSE does not install or maintain member-owned solar systems. You will be responsible for the initial costs to install the system, ongoing maintenance and repair costs. 5. Understand the responsibilities: Installing a solar system requires that specific obligations be met by all parties involved with the process. For example, the owner of the distributed energy system is responsible for obtaining the proper equipment and ensuring that all requirements of the electric co-op's interconnection agreement is met, including paying any necessary costs. 6. Do your homework on everything before you write a check: If you are considering investing in a solar system, talk to your electric cooperative before you begin. Also, speak to credible, reputable and skilled professionals knowledgeable in solar systems. They can direct you to additional resources that will help you understand the economics of a solar system, including the type of renewable energy technology best suited for your property and financing, potential incentives and other requirements, such as insurance required. Source: Jackson County REMC
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SMART PAYMENTS MAKE A SMART PAYMENT IN PERSON WITH SMARTHUB *SERVICE FEE MAY APPLY. VANILLADIRECT IS PROVIDED BY INCOMM FINANCIAL SERVICES CALIFORNIA, INC. AND BY INCOMM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. (NMLS# 912772), WHICH IS LICENSED AS A MONEY TRANSMITTER BY THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.
Here’s how: 1. Find a participating location near you in the SmartHub app or on the web 2. Find your barcode in the SmartHub app or print it from the web 3. Visit the participating location, scan the code at the checkout and pay your bill and make a cash payment which is posted to your account immediately. When it comes to paying your bill, convenience is key. Now, you can pay your bill at participating local retailers with SmartHub. Use your barcode in SmartHub and pay your bill while you get groceries, gas or more. Find a location today and get started with SmartHub.
SM AR T M AN AG EM E N T. SM AR T LI F E . SM AR T H U B .
Quick Links Indiana Youth Tour Four Southwestern High School Juniors will represent RushShelby Energy on the Indiana Youth Tour. Loriann Beckner, McKinley Correll, Jonah DeArmitt and Conner Jewell will join other high school juniors across America for a once in a lifetime trip to Washington D.C. This trip will alllow these students the opportunity to watch history come alive while making friendships that will last a lifetime.
Hoosier Energy Launches New Website The website was designed to encourage members to learn more about their level and pattern of electric usage by way of demand-side management (DSM). Why Electrify offers educational resources and materials on the planning, implementing and monitoring activities of electric utilities. RushShelby Energy takes a special interest in how it serves members. The Why Electrify website offers detailed information and resources specific to residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial groups to provide all members with knowledge they can use.
Energy Efficiency Tip
May Festivals May 3 Shipshewana Flea Market -Shipshewana May 4-29 500 Festival -Indianapolis May 7 Riley Wrangler's Arts and Crafts Fair -Greenfield May 7 Crafty Saturday in Shelby County -Shelbyville May 7-8 Metamora Spring Fling -Metamora May 13-14 Smoke on the Square -Hope May 20-21 Franklin County Quilt Show -Brookville May 27-29 Metamora Chain Saw Carving Invitational -Metamora May 27 Music on Depot: New Pal Summer Concert Series -New Palestine May 30 Memorial Day Parade -New Castle
When streaming content, use the smallest device that makes sense for the number of people watching. Avoid streaming on game consoles, which use 10 times more power than streaming through a tablet or laptop. Streaming content with electronic equipment that has earned the ENERGY STAR® rating will use 25% to 30% less energy than standard equipment.
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PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID
Do you know about lineworkers?
Every April we celebrate lineworkers and the hard work they do to make sure we have electricity to power our lives. How much do you know about lineworkers? Take the quiz below to find out. 1. Lineworkers have to wear a lot of gear to do their jobs. A lineworker's gear can weigh up to ______. a. 15 pounds b. 50 pounds c. 80 pounds
2. Lineworkers maintain and repair electrical lines, but they do not install them. a. True (No installation) b. False (They maintain, repair and install lines)
3. There are approximately __________ lineworkers in the United States. a. 50,000 b. 90,000 c. 120,000
4. Lineworkers must wear __________ clothing to protect them from a possible electric arc while working. a. Fire Resistant b. Extra Thick c. Leather or Rubber
5. Lineworkers must wear special conductive boots when climbing a steel structure. a. True b. False Answer key: 1) b. 50 pounds 2) b. False 3) c. 120,000 4) a. Fire Resistant 5) b. False
