REC's 84th Annual Meeting set for Thursday and Saturday
REC members are invited to the 84th Annual Meeting. A drive-thru early registration will be Thursday, October 5 from 3 to 7 p.m. and the in-person meeting will be on Saturday, October 7 starting at 8 a.m. Both the drive-thru early registration and the in-person meeting will be held at REC's Multi Purpose Center on Highway 76 North in Lindsay.
During the early drive-thru registration on Thursday, members will stay in their vehicles and enter the circle driveway of the Multi Purpose Center off of Highway 76 and go through the registration line. For members attending on Saturday, please follow the signs to park and attend in-person. Each member who registers will automatically receive a one-time $25 bill credit in addition to their registration gift Members should bring their registration card, prize drawing card and ballot with
them to help with the ease in the registration process.
On Saturday, members will be entertained by Zach Ray beginning at 8:45 a.m. Ray was raised on country music and Jesus and likes to incorporate his upbringing into his music. Originally from Blanchard, Ray got his start singing at his home church. He currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his family. The business meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and members will hear reports from Board President, Gary Jones, and CEO, Dusty Ricks, updating members of activities from 2022. Members driving through on Thursday can find these reports on REC's website, www.recok.coop, under the Annual Meeting tab after the in-person meeting on Saturday.
REC will give out seventy-five, $75 gift certificates for electricity during the business session and three grand prize draw-
ings of $500 gift certificates for electricity. All members registered on either Thursday or Saturday will be eligible for the seventyfive, $75 gift certificates for electricity. During the in-person meeting on Saturday, three members will win $500 gift certificates for electricity. To be eligible to win the grand prize drawings members must be present on Saturday. 493102
Registration gifts include: an REC baseball cap, four-piece stainless steel measuring spoons, a granny paring knife, LED bulbs, a calendar, 2024 Farmers’ Almanac and an ink pen.
For more information about the 84th Annual Meeting, call 405-756-3104 ext. 238.
A newsletter for members of Rural Electric Cooperative October 2023
Map for early registration drive-thru on Thursday, October 5, 2023.
84th Annual Meeting registration gifts.
CEO’s MESSAGE
Playing it safe online
unable to access your accounts with multi-step verification enabled.
2. Update your software. This is one of the easiest ways to protect your personal data. When downloading software updates, make sure it is coming straight from the company who created it. Beware of fake popups requesting urgent downloads.
3. Think before you click. Most successful cyber attacks start with a phishing email. Do not take the bait when cyber criminals go phishing. Avoid emails (or texts) looking too good to be true, oddly urgent, poorly crafted or include unusual requests.
October 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
In today’s world, most of us would not leave the front door unlocked. We protect our homes, loved ones and valuables from intruders with locks, alarms and other security measures. Cybersecurity is no different. It is the practice of protecting other valuables such as your identity, banking and health records and other sensitive information from digital attacks and theft. Given our increased reliance on internet-connected devices and gadgets, this month, I’d like to share a few cybersecurity tips and let you know how REC is working to boost our own cybersecurity efforts.
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security responsible for strengthening cybersecurity and infrastructure protection, these are the four best ways to keep you and your family safe online.
1. Implement multi-factor authentication (also known as two-step verification) on your accounts. The additional layer of protection makes it much harder for criminals to access your information. Even if a hacker obtains your password, they may be
4. Create strong passwords, using long, unique and complex words or phrases. Consider using a password manager to save time, work across all devices, protect your identity and notify you of potential phishing websites.
Talk with your children about ways to stay safe online. Help them understand the public nature of the internet. Just as you would guard your money or valuables, children need to learn to guard their personal information, especially on social networks and gaming sites.
We are doing our share on the cyber front. Part of offering excellent service is keeping service secure and reliable. For REC, reliability means repairing wear-andtear, upgrading our equipment to withstand storms and severe weather and using technology and best practices to keep our system secure from cybersecurity issues.
We also work together with co-ops across the country to develop new technologies and infrastructure, learn from each other and keep the grid’s network secure.
While we can not stop a storm or predict every disruption, as your Co-op, we do everything we can to keep the lights on and our members protected. If we all do our part, our interconnected world will be safer and more secure for everyone.
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
Sonny Harrison, 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
Casey Henson, Manager of Safety and Loss Control/Facilities
David Crull, System Superintendent
Jason Mays, Operations Superintendent
2 Co-op Comments
Youth programs available
Rural Electric Cooperative is offering youth programs to students within REC's service territory. High School juniors could win an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. or Steamboat Springs, Colorado, while eighth graders could win a trip to Canyon Camp in Hinton, Oklahoma. High school seniors could win a scholarship to help with college expenses.
Representatives from REC will visit the schools to distribute information about these programs in October. Students may pick up the necessary information at their schools, from the Cooperative or may visit www.recok.coop and click on the “Programs and Services” tab, then select the program for details.
Energy Camp
Energy Camp is available for eighth graders within REC's service area. Eight students will be selected to attend a fourday camp near Hinton, Oklahoma to gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives, enhance leadership skills and meet new friends.
To participate in this contest, students must be attending a school within REC’s service area and write a short essay on a topic provided by REC.
Youth Tour
Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. is a week-long, all-expense paid trip to Wash-
ington D.C. for three students to attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour. These three students will join approximately 70 other Oklahoma high school juniors this summer.
To participate, students must be classified as a high school junior and are required to write a speech on a topic provided by the Cooperative.
Six finalists will be chosen to present their speeches to determine the winners. The top three scores will win the Washington, D.C. trip, while the three runners-up will earn a week-long, all-expense paid trip to the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp near Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Scholarships
In addition to trips, REC offers ten scholarships to area high school seniors. Seniors whose parents are members of REC are eligible to apply for the scholarships. Scholarships will be applied to the students’ freshman year of college starting in the fall semester of 2024.
REC will award two $1,500 scholarships and eight $1,000 scholarships.
All materials for any of these programs will be available at area schools and on REC’s website, www.recok.coop. Students may also contact REC’s Member Services Department with additional questions at 405-756-3104, Extension 238.
Co-op Comments 3 CO-OP NEWS
REC's 2023 Energy Camp winners.
REC's 2023 Youth Tour winners.
REC's 2023 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp winners.
MISCELLANEOUS
FOR SALE: Reese Trail Boss 15k fifthwheel hitch $80. PH: 405-207-0228.
FOR SALE: Bipod stabilizer stand $50. PH: 405-207-0228.
FOR SALE: 2 large hair salon mirrors $50 each. PH: 405-756-4277.
FOR SALE: Used candle jars, most with lids, $1 per jar. PH: 405-756-4277.
FOR SALE: 50 assorted Shopkins tiny characters, $100. PH: 405-756-4277.
FOR SALE: Parmak 12 volt battery powered fence charger, $50. PH: 405-207-0228.
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.
Account number worth $10 bill credit
Locate your account number in an article of this issue; it will be good for a $10 credit on your electric bill. To claim the prize, you must locate the account number - if the number is yours, contact REC by the 10th of the month and we will credit your account. Only the member assigned that number is eligible for the prize. If you don’t know your account number, it can be located on your electric bill.
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month
Did you know using your dishwasher is more efficient than washing a load of dishes by hand? To maximize efficiency, wash full loads in the dishwasher and do not block the arms or other parts that move while the appliance is in use. For additional savings, turn on the "air dry" setting instead of using the "heat dry" setting and use a rinse aid to help dishes dry faster without spotting and streaking.
Learn more at www.energy.gov.
FOR SALE: 4 Caterpillar large rear-view mirrors with mounting brackets, $80. PH: 405-207-0228.
FOR SALE: 3 vintage electric pole insulators, 1 large and 2 small, $40 each. PH: 405-207-0228.
FOR SALE: Skil 7 1/4 electric handsaw, $25. PH: 405-207-0228.
FOR SALE: 5 x 8 utility trailer with tailgate ramp, good for hauling a lawn mower, $700. PH: 405-568-6085.
RECREATIONAL
FOR SALE: 1999 Rockwood Premier pop-up trailer with slide out, fully selfcontained, 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, $3,900 or would considered a trade for dual axle enclosed trailer.
PH: 405-207-0228.
Bikes given away during 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.
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Co-op Comments 4