May 2023 Co-op Comments

C o-op Co-op C omments Comments

REC donates money to rural fire departments to assist with needs

In REC’s service area, there are 24 rural fire departments with over 390 men and women volunteering their time to help protect their families, neighbors and friends. Not only do these individuals fight fires, but they also help construct buildings to house equipment, perform maintenance and work fundraisers to have the necessary money to purchase fuel and equipment to protect homes and properties in their area. These services survive because of the dedication of volunteer firefighters.

For 33 years, firefighters in REC’s service area have gathered for recognition for their efforts in protecting lives and property.

This year 19 fire departments were in attendance at the banquet and REC present-

ed each department with a check to assist in purchasing equipment and supplies. REC’s grant program awarded $15,950 to the area departments bringing the program’s total donated funds to $433,850.

“It is important to support our local rural fire departments as they are first responders protecting our lives, businesses and property,” CEO, Dusty Ricks said. “REC’s grant program is designed to assist these departments in being better equipped to handle fires in rural areas. The service rural fire departments provide is invaluable and we cannot thank them enough for the work they do every day.”

REC recognizes the importance of the tasks these men and women perform and

the obstacles they must overcome to do their jobs. The grant program is the Cooperative’s way of expressing thanks for their hard work protecting the people in rural communities and their property.

Departments receiving grants include: Acme, Alex, Bailey, Bradley, Bray, Cox City, Dibble, Doyle, Elmore City, Farwell, Katie, Lindsay, Maysville, Naples, Ninnekah, Paoli, Payne, Pernell, Purcell, Rush Creek, Rush Springs, Washington, Wayne and Wynnewood. 980700

Collectively, the 24 departments have 393 firefighters trained to fight wildfires as well as structure fires. During 2022, the departments went on 3,034 runs.

REC's recent Fire Department Appreciation Banquet had 19 departments represented. Picture from left to right, bottom row: Brian Bearce, Acme; Rocky Claunch, Purcell; Jordan Powell, Payne; Kenny Keith, Washington; Richard McCarty, Rush Creek; Braden Nightingale, Farwell and Mac Gordon, Lindsay. Middle row: Representative Cindy Roe, Darrell Clagg, Elmore City; Meghan Claunch, Wayne; Rodney Christian, Naples; Chris Kaslon; Ninnekah; Jesse Bearce, Bailey; Landen Luttrell, Rush Springs and Brent Balentine, Pernell. Top row: Jarred Bratcher, Paoli, Matt Alexander, Dibble, Brian Gensamer, Bray; Earl Henderson, Doyle; Jeff Adamson, Rush Springs and Allan Hensley, Katie.

CEO’s MESSAGE

May is military appreciation month

Our veteran colleagues joined the Co-op equipped with training in leadership and teamwork. This fosters a high level of selfdiscipline, sense of personal responsibility and passion for excellence.

The utility industry is increasingly complex and undergoing profound transformation. While there is the traditional engineering and vegetation management aspect of the utility industry, it now also encompasses technology, cybersecurity and the electrification of the transportation sector and other areas of the economy. Veterans are adept at responding to changing conditions and learning and adapting to new technologies, which is essential in our evolving industry.

May 2023

Co-op Comments

Official publication of Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. CO-OP COMMENTS is owned, controlled and directed by Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. It is printed monthly and mailed to members in Garvin, McClain, Comanche, Stephens, Grady and Carter counties in Oklahoma.

Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. 13942 Highway 76 • P.O. Box 609 Lindsay, OK 73052 405-756-3104 • 800-259-3504

Outage Number: 855-399-2683

www.recok.coop

Service. Mission. Country. You likely identified immediately (and correctly) these three words describing our nation’s veterans. They also succinctly describe a core co-op ethos.

While veterans are innately motivated to serve, in a similar vein, electric co-ops are guided by foundational principles putting their community first. Afterall, electric co-ops were founded to bring electricity to rural areas where there was none. In doing so, they powered local economies and helped them to thrive.

Today’s veterans are highly skilled because everyone who joins the military is either trained in a tech career field or exposed to advanced technology during their years of service. Many veterans have skills in advanced disciplines such as engineering, electronics or mechanics, which are all beneficial for the utility industry. Rural Electric is proud to employ three veterans, and we are especially grateful for their contributions to the co-op and to our community.

Working for an electric co-op is more than a job. There is a clear mission in the work – to help our consumer-members and the communities we serve. When you work closely with communities, you can not help but feel a sense of commitment and responsibility to our members. It is similar to the sense of duty and responsibility veterans experience in the military. They feel deep, personal responsibility and commitment to their co-op team members and to the members we serve. Veterans are trustworthy, goal oriented, wanting to do right for their co-op and their community.

May is Military Appreciation Month and at REC, we are grateful to have veterans within our ranks and we are proud to serve them and their families within our community. But beyond our gratitude, we demonstrate our deep appreciation through our actions and ongoing commitment to veterans and their families.

I hope you will join me in recognizing the sacrifices veterans have made to our great country – and the many contributions they continue to make to our wonderful community. Veterans, we salute you!

Board of Trustees

Gary Jones, President, District 1

Scott Christian, Vice President, District 1

Brent Bacon, Sec./Treasurer, District 1

Larry Anderson, District 2

Johnny Harrel, District 2

Terri Hays, District 2

Mark Finch, District 3

Randy Griswold, District 3

Lisa Whitman, Attorney

Management and Staff

Dusty Ricks, Manager/CEO

Linda Ray, CFO

Kelli Lindsey, Administrative Assistant and Staff Coordinator

Elaine Gilreath, Manager of Customer Service and Data Processing

Jon Jones, Manager of Engineering

Mitch Gilreath, Manager of Information Technology Services

Megan Lawrence, Manager of Member Services and Marketing

Clint Yeary, Manager of Safety and Loss Control/Facilities

David Crull, System Superintendent

Jason Mays, Operations Superintendent

REC's youth program winners

Rural Electric Cooperative recently awarded and recognized 24 area students with trips and scholarships. Ten high school seniors shared $11,000 in scholarships assisting with their college expenses. Six high school juniors received all-expense paid trips this summer- three won trips to Washington D.C. for Youth Tour and three won trips to Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. While eight eighth graders won a trip to Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperative’s YouthPower Energy Camp at Canyon Camp near Hinton, Oklahoma.

Both the Youth Tour and Energy Camp competitions were open to REC’s member-

ship and all students attending a school within REC’s service area. Whereas, only high school seniors whose parents or legal guardians are members of REC were eligible to apply for the ten scholarships available.

To compete in the scholarship contest, students were required to complete an application, and from all applicants, a committee of REC’s Board selected 10 finalists to interview. All finalists were selected as winners. Two students received $1,500 scholarships and eight received $1,000 each. Winners of the $1,500 scholarships were Jacey Bordwine of Dibble and Austin Hines of Lindsay. Scholarships of $1,000 each went to: Baylan Byrd, Gracie Selzer and Konner Shebester of Alex, Bentley Kesler, Jacey McReynolds and Andon Register of Lindsay, Gracie Edwards of Maysville and Mallory Sager of Pauls Valley.

High school juniors competing in the Youth Tour contest wrote an essay as the first step of the competition. Judges selected the top six essays as finalists. The finalists competed in a speech contest to determine the trip winners. Judges selected Lauren Earp and Brinley Hines of Elmore City-Pernell and Ridge McLin of Elmore City as winners for Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. These students will travel to Washington, D.C. with approximately 70 other juniors from across Oklahoma to tour our nation’s capitol.

The three runners-up won a trip near Steamboat Springs, Colorado for the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp hosted by the Colorado Electric Cooperatives. Local winners will join students from Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming for the week-long camp. REC’s winners include Sidney Brooks of Lindsay, Aaron Chesnut of Rush Springs and Sage Heldermon of Alex.

REC’s winners to YouthPower Energy Camp were selected from a large group of essays submitted by eighth graders from several area schools. The group will attend the camp with 80 other eighth graders across Oklahoma. Winners include: Gracey Bray of Lindsay, Rocky Byrd and Rebel Higdon of Alex, Holly Jenkins of Ninnekah, Cheyenne Lamb and Will Lawrence of Lindsay, Jaycee Rose of Wynnewood and Brylee Stephens of Ninnekah.

Student winners, parents, school teachers and administrators were honored at a banquet hosted by REC recently at the Cooperative’s Multi Purpose Center in Lindsay.

REC has offered these programs to area students since 1989. Over the past 34 years REC has provided: 354 scholarships; sent 98 high school juniors to the Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.; sent 90 high school juniors to the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp; and sent 228 eighth grade students to the YouthPower Energy Camp.

REC's Scholarship winners. Front row (left to right): Baylan Byrd of Alex, Andon Register, Jacey McReynolds and Bentley Kesler of Lindsay and Gracie Edwards of Maysville. Back row (left to right): Mallory Sager of Pauls Valley, Austin Hines of Lindsay, Jacey Bordwine of Dibble and Gracie Selzer of Alex. Not pictured, Konner Shebester of Alex.

REC's Youth Tour finalists. Front row (left to right): Lauren Earp of Elmore CityPernell, Aaron Chesnut of Rush Springs and Sage Heldermn of Alex. Back row (left to right): Ridge McLin of Elmore City, Brinley Hines of Elmore City-Pernell and Sidney Brooks of Lindsay.

REC's YouthPower Energy Camp winners. Front row (left to right): Rebel Higdon and Rocky Byrd of Alex, Will Lawrence and Cheyenne Lamb of Lindsay. Back row (left to right): Holly Jenkins and Brylee Stephens of Ninnekah, Jaycee Rose of Wynnewood and Gracey Bray of Lindsay.

MISCELLANEOUS

FOR SALE: 10 cages all different sizes and prices, will take $200 for all or ask about separate pricing call or text.

PH: 405-756-5442 (text) or 405-756-4594 (call).

FOR SALE: 2 large salon mirrors, $75 each. PH: 405-756-4277.

FOR SALE: Working vintage Contello accordion, made in Italy in original case, $100. PH: 405-207-0228.

FOR SALE: Adjustable 5th wheel bi-pod stabilizer stand, $80. PH: 405-207-0228.

PETS & LIVESTOCK

FOR SALE: 2 mini Nubian/Nigerian mix wethers, 1 black and 1 black and white, born on December 1, 2022, $200 each. PH: 405-756-5442 (text) or 405-756-4594 (call).

Classified Ads

are FREE to REC members to post non-commercial items. Deadline for ads is the 8th of every month.

Call the Member Services Dept. at 405-756-3104 ext. 238.

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

The location of your thermostat can impact your HVAC system's ability to maintain an ideal indoor temperature. For maximum accuracy, thermostats should be placed in the center of the home, away from air vents, plumbing pipes and exterior doors. Avoid placing items like lamps and televisions near your thermostat, which can cause the HVAC to run longer than necessary. Avoid installing thermostats in rooms that tend to feel warmer or colder than the rest of the home. Do not place furniture in front of the thermostat, which can block air flow and result in inaccurate readings.

Learn more at www.energy.gov.

RECREATIONAL

FOR SALE: 1999 Rockwood Premier popup camper with slide-out, fully self-contained, sleeps six, lots of storage, heat and air, kitchen sink, microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, toilet, shower, inside or

outside three burner stove, new propane tank, new tires and new spare, ready to go, $4,200 or consider trade for dual axle enclosed trailer with rear ramp and side door. PH: 405-207-0228.

Nominating Committee will meet in June

The 2023 Nominating Committee will meet in June to select candidates for Rural Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees. As defined in the Bylaws, the Nominating Committee will select at least three members: one from each district, as candidates for the Board of Trustees. These candidates names will appear on the official voting ballot for REC's members to vote on during Annual Meeting.

The Nominating Committee is made up of three members from each of REC’s three board districts. A minimum of one representative from each district must be in attendance at the meeting to constitute a quorum and conduct business.

Guidelines for nominations and election of trustees are contained in Article Three (3), Section Seven (7) of REC’s Bylaws. Copies of Bylaws are available upon request at REC’s headquarters.

Candidates for the Board of Trustees are voted on at REC’s 84th Annual Meeting Saturday, October 7, 2023. The meeting will be held in REC’s Multi Purpose Center located north of Lindsay on State Highway 76.

Additional nominations may be submitted by petition with any 50 or more members of the Cooperative, acting together, in writing over their signatures. Any such nomination shall list the candidate’s name with necessary signatures and be filed with the Cooperative at least 120 days prior to the Annual Meeting of the Membership.

A list of candidates nominated by the Nominating Committee and by petition shall be filed in the office of the Cooperative and posted at the main entrance of the Cooperative’s headquarters in Lindsay, Oklahoma at least 90 days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Local Co-op Connection Card Deals

A-U-Store It, Purcell$5 off first month rent

Backroads Boutique, Lindsay5% off everything excluding special order and sale items

Best Western, Chickasha15% Off Regular Room Rate

Blue Moose Outdoor

Portable Rentals, Elmore City5% Off Septic Tank Pumping, Tent Rental and Special Event Toilet Rentals

Chickasha Diesel Services, Chickasha$50 off any big diesel oil change

Edwards Canvas, Pauls Valley - 5% Off

Jenny’s Pics Photography, Lindsay10% Off $50 or More Purchase of Pictures

Lindsay Tire and Lube, Lindsay$5 Off Any Full Service Oil Change

M & M Furniture, Chickasha10% Off Any Purchase

Mazzio’s Italian Eatery, Purcell10% Off Purchase

Photos by Ginger, Pauls Valley -

1 Free 8x10 Print With First Order of $25

Pharmacy Discounts -

Check out the discounts available using your Co-op Connections Card at participating pharmacies throughout our area. For a complete list of pharmacies, visit REC’s website to see if your pharmacy is offering discounts to Co-op Connections Card holders.