October 2025 Co-op Comments

A newsletter for members of Rural Electric Cooperative

October 2024

Co-op Comments REC's 85th Annual Meeting set for Thursday and Saturday REC members are invited to the 85th Annual Meeting. An early registration drive-thru will be held on Thursday, October 3, from 3 to 7 p.m. and the in-person meeting will be on Saturday, October 5, starting at 8 a.m. Both the early registration drive-thru 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 present member who registers will automatically receive a onetime $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 Cara Belt beginning at 8:45 a.m.

Belt was raised in a musical family where she learned the importance of using her voice. 1308200 Originally from California, Belt has been singing since she was a little girl in church and playing the guitar since her teens. She currently lives in Allen, Oklahoma where she continues to pursue her music and is the Worship Minister in her church. 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 2023. 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-

Map for early registration drive-thru on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

85th Annual Meeting registration gifts. 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.

Registration gifts include: an REC baseball cap, handy can cover, four port USB charger, bendable screwdriver, LED light bulbs, calendar, 2025 Farmers’ Almanac and an ink pen.

For more information about the 85th Annual Meeting, call 405-756-3104 ext. 238.

CEO’s MESSAGE

Purposely powering Co-op communities

Rural Electric Cooperative is deeply committed to our consumer-members, and we are glad you are part of the electric cooperative community.

This October, more than 30,000 cooperatives across the United States are celebrating National Co-op Month. It is a time to reflect on the aspects setting cooperatives apart from other types of businesses, but more importantly, it is a time to celebrate the power of Co-op membership.

Electric cooperatives are not-for-profit utilities built by the communities they serve. For REC, our mission has always been to provide you with reliable power.

We care about your quality of life, and because we are locally operated, we are uniquely suited to meet our members’ evolving energy needs.

Beyond the business of electricity, our employees and trustees are equally invested in our local community. Why? Because we live here, too. Which is why we work hard to support local economic development projects, youth programs, charitable giving and additional programs making our community a better place to live.

All co-ops, including REC, are guided by seven cooperative principles embody2 Co-op Comments

ing the values and spirit of the cooperative movement. These seven principles are a framework to help all Co-ops navigate challenges and opportunities while remaining true to our purpose: 1. Open and Voluntary Membership: Co-op membership is open to anyone who can use the co-op’s services.

2. Democratic Member Control: Members make decisions that shape the cooperative. Why? Co-ops are created by the members, for the members.

3. Members’ Economic Participation: Members contribute money to the Co-op to make it runs smoothly now and in the future. This happens through paying your electric bills.

4. Autonomy and Independence: Coops are independent and can operate on their own, which ultimately benefits the members.

5. Education, Training and Information: Co-ops continuously focus on education to ensure employees have the training and information they need to make the co-op successful.

6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives: Co-ops share with and learn from other cooperatives. We help each other out in times of need because we want other co-ops to thrive.

7. Concern for Community: All cooperatives work for the greater good of the local communities they serve.

Co-ops give back to their communities to help them thrive and grow.

This October, as we celebrate National Co-op Month and the power of membership, we hope you will recognize the many aspects setting electric cooperatives apart.

Our mission is reliable power. Our purpose is people – the local communities we are proud to serve.

October 2024 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

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 Eric Neill, Manager of Cyber Security and Special Projects 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

CO-OP NEWS

REC offers youth programs Rural Electric Cooperative offers 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.

A representative 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-

2024 Youth Tour winners pictured left to right: Dalton Parker, Abby Pettijohn and Cale Hines.

2024 Energy Camp winners pictured from left to right, top row: Abriel Dodson, Marlee Inman, Cade Williams and Kara Pettijohn. Bottom row: Megan Lawrence, Manager of Member Services and Marketing, Kyleigh Waters, Alexis Gregg, Brooklynn Perry and Madison Moreno. 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 2025.

REC will award two $2,000 scholarships

and eight $1,500 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.

2024 CYLC winners pictured left to right: Tessa Inman, Conner Welsh and Hallli Harris.

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Classified Advertisement MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE: Solid wood desk with three large drawers in excellent condition, $90.

PH: 405-351-0878.

Classified Ads

FOR SALE: Sprayed and fertilized 5x4 round bales of hay from last year, $50 per bale. PH: 580-264-0107.

FOR SALE: Sprayed and fertilized 5x4 round bales of hay from this year, $70 per bale. PH: 580-264-0107.

Harrison recently completes BLC

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 If you recently made or plan to make energy efficiency improvements to your home, you may be eligible for federal tax credits. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 empowers homeowners to save money on energy efficiency improvements and upgrades. Homeowners can save up to $3,000 annually to lower the cost of efficiency upgrades by up to 30 percent.

A few upgrades covered through the IRA include new exterior doors, windows, insulation, heating/cooling equipment and other major appliances.

If you completed an upgrade this year or you are considering one, visit www.energystar.gov/federal-taxcredits to learn if you qualify.

Recently, Board of Trustee member Sonny Harrison (left) completed his Board Leadership Certificate. He completed 10 credits in advanced, issues-oriented courses after completing his Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate to obtain this award. Harrison was recognized with a plaque by Board of Trustee President, Gary Jones, (right) at a recent board meeting.

Local Co-op Connection Card Deals A-U-Store It, Purcell $5 off first month rent Backroads Boutique, Lindsay 5% off everything excluding special order and sale items Best Western, Chickasha 15% Off Regular Room Rate Blue Moose Portable and Septic Services, LLC, Elmore City 5% 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, Lindsay 10% Off $50 or More Purchase of Pictures Lindsay Tire and Lube, Lindsay $5 Off Any Full Service Oil Change M & M Furniture, Chickasha 10% Off Any Purchase Mazzio’s Italian Eatery, Purcell 10% 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.

Learn more at www.energystar.gov

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