Ian Hatcher (left) & Isabella Coley (right)
Who Runs the Cooperative Business:
Part 3
In the last few months, I've shared the responsibilities of a general manager and employees. This month, I'll discuss the responsibilities of a member of the board of directors.
Board of Directors: WFEC is comprised of nine board members representing nine districts in Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson and Washington Counties. The board holds a regular monthly board meeting and periodically holds special meetings or committee meetings throughout the year.
The board's responsibilities include: Hiring a competent manager: This includes determining the salary, outlining the duties and authority of the position, and formally reviewing his/her performance at least annually.
Adopting broad, general policies: These policies are intended to guide the manager and are made a part of the official minutes of the cooperative. They include items such as credit to patrons (also known as capital credits), sources and limits of supply inventories, general personnel regulations, etc.
Tim Alford, WFEC Board President
Developing and adopting long-range strategies: Require written monthly financial reports and operating statements for board meetings in order to be informed of adverse as well as favorable operations.
Directing the manager to prepare an operating budget for the next fiscal year before the close of each year.
Employing a qualified auditor: The auditor conducts an independent audit at least once each year to determine the accuracy of the financial records.
Planning and coordinating the annual meeting with the aid of the manager: This is to keep the membership informed about the status of their business, including operations, finances and policies.
Determining the patronage refund allocation (also known as capital credits): This includes weighing legal requirements against the need for reinvesting refunds to provide money to retire old equities and still meet current capital needs.
Obtaining competent legal counsel.
Keeping a complete record of the board's actions.
A cooperative director should not expect to be granted special favors from the manager or employees and does not have the following responsibilities:
1) To act independently on matters that should be decided by the entire board.
2) Be a representative of special interests or political entities. He/she was elected to direct business activities of the cooperative, not serve as a representative of these groups.
Next month I will cover the responsibilities of member-owners.
I pray everyone has a blessed month.
Sincerely,
Gov. Attends Co-op Legislative Cookout
On March 18, West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) and other electric co-ops from across Florida gathered in Tallahassee to discuss issues affecting cooperatives with legislators. We thank Governor Ron DeSantis and Representative Shane Abbott for speaking with us at our annual Legislative Cookout. The annual event invites locally housed federal offices, cabinet members, legislators, staff, and their families to sample a taste of what Rural Florida has to offer. And best of all, the food is prepared by Florida co-ops! The event is a great opportunity for WFEC to stay connected to legislators that represent our community. The date is eagerly awaited by many each legislative session, as the cookout is known for its family atmosphere, fun and the best food around.
We appreciate all of the elected officials who stopped by to recognize and support the important role electric co-ops play in powering nearly 3 million Floridians in 57 of Florida's 67 counties.
WFEC was proud to serve smoked, bacon-wrapped, sausage-stuffed quail cooked by our employees: Stephen Burdeshaw, Staking Technician, Justin Galbreath, Apprentice Lineworker, Josh Rabon, Crew Foreman, and Justin Stephens, Journeyman Lineworker.
Other employees who attended and assisted with food service and setup were: Penny Bryan, VP of Administration, Sharon Curry, Director of Marketing & Member Services, Will Melton, Director, Engineering & Operations, Amanda Evans, HR Specialist, Seleta Mason, Director of Finance & Accounting, Donnie Worley, Director of Safety and Loss Control, and Candace Croft, Communications & PR Coordinator.
Josh
Top, l-r: Stephen Burdeshaw, Justin Galbreath, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Josh Rabon and Justin Stephens Center, l-r: Candace Croft, Donnie Worley, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Amanda Evans, Sharon Curry, Seleta Mason, Penny Bryan and Will Melton Bottom front, l-r: Penny Bryan, Sharon Curry, Candace Croft, Amanda Evans, Seleta Mason and Donnie Worley Back, l-r:
Rabon, Justin Galbreath, Will Melton, Justin Stephens, and Stephen Burdeshaw
Annual Meeting is April 26
It's time for West Florida Electric Cooperative's (WFEC) Annual Meeting/Member Appreciation Day. The board of trustees and employees invite all members to join us at the Graceville Civic Center (5224 Brown St.) on Saturday, April 26. The day's activities will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a pole climbing and safety demonstration conducted by West Florida Electric and Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative linemen.
Musical entertainment will begin at 9:00 a.m. with headliner, Grace and Grit, one of the hottest country music bands based out of Panama City, Florida. They are known for their love of authentic country music and powerful harmonies. Blending traditional country roots with a modern edge, this band delivers songs that resonate with fans of all ages.
Many other activities have been planned to take place throughout the day's event including a health fair, children's activities like touch-a-truck and
and door prizes will be provided for attendees.
Hatcher & Coley are 2025
Every year, hundreds of high school juniors from across the nation get the unique opportunity to participate in the Youth Tour program, a one-of-a-kind educational trip to Washington, D.C., designed to inspire, educate, and motivate the leaders of tomorrow. This year, the competition was fierce and we are thrilled to announce 2025's winners.
Congratulations to West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) 2025 Youth Tour winners, Isabella Coley, a junior at Blountstown High School and Ian Hatcher, a junior at Malone School. Will O'Bryan of Altha School is the alternate winner. Coley and Hatcher will soon board a plane for an unforgettable adventure, representing WFEC on the National Rural Electric Youth Tour trip taking place June 16-21, 2025. They will travel with other students from Florida to meet up with over 1,000 other high school juniors from across the country to visit the Nation's Capital and its most iconic landmarks, learn more about leadership, our government and cooperatives. It's an experience that will undoubtedly shape their future as they explore the heart of our country's political landscape.
Coley and Hatcher also won $1,000 college scholarships to use at any college, university, or technical school of their choice. O'Bryan won a $500 scholarship.
The purpose of Youth Tour is to get students out of the classroom and familiarize them with the utility that brings electricity to their lives. They also get a first-hand look at the activities of our government at state and national levels.
For this year's Youth Tour winners, the journey to Washington, D.C., represents more than just sightseeing - it's about learning, growing and building a deeper understanding of their role in shaping the future. As they participate in discussions with elected officials, meet peers from across the country, and tour landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian Museums, they will gain a new perspective on leadership and civic engagement.
West Florida Electric Cooperative is incredibly proud of all the this year's Youth Tour participants and
2025 Youth Tour Winners
their dedication to learning and developing their leadership skills. The Youth Tour experience is just the beginning of what we know will be bright futures for these students.
This year's Youth Tour story is even more special for one of our students! Bella Coley's older sister, Sofia Coley Ridley, won West Florida Electric's Youth Tour competition in 2017. It's rare, but incredibly meaningful, to see two siblings gain this incredible opportunity, creating a family tradition and bond over their soon-to-be shared experience. This is a testament to the lasting impact the Youth Tour program has in our communities and the families who call this area home.
Check out upcoming newsletters to follow the winners' journey to Washington, D.C., and hear their first-hand accounts about their Youth Tour experiences.
Top left, l-r: Will O'Bryan, alternate winner was unable to attend the awards banquet due to a baseball game. After the game, he was congratulated by his coach, Joseph Taylor.
Top center, l-r: Sofia Coley Ridley, 2017 WFEC Youth Tour winner with her sister, Bella Coley, 2025 Youth Tour winner.
Top right, l-r: Candace Croft, Youth Tour Coordinator with Charlene Yon, Altha School counselor. Yon is retiring and her support of this program will be missed.
Bottom left, l-r: District 3 Trustee, Jackie Pooser, Ian Hatcher, Bella Coley and District 1 Trustee, David Tatum.
Center left, l-r: 2025 Youth Tour participants: Ian Hatcher, Malone School; Jack Eaton, Marianna HS; Whisper Jones, Cottondale HS; Maggie Clifton, Chipley HS; Nakayla Peery, Bethlehem School & Bella Coley, Blountstown HS.
Bottom left (group): 2025 YT participants in Tallahassee.
Bottom right, l-r: Ian Hatcher & Bella Coley, 2025 YT winners.
Photo Collage Captions:
Lineworkers are Wired for Service
In the quiet hours before dawn, while many of us are still nestled in our beds, lineworkers begin their day, clad in their flame-resistant clothing, safety glasses, rubber gloves, sleeves, and thick, heavy boots.
They are the epitome of dedication to service and cooperative members in its purest form. As we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day this April, we take the time to reflect on the essential role these individuals play in our daily lives.
Amongst towering utility poles and power lines, our lineworkers exhibit a strength that goes far beyond the physical demands of their jobs. Whether battling inclement weather (recently even snow), troubleshooting technical problems, or navigating treacherous heights (that would scare the living daylights out of most of us), lineworkers demonstrate resilience and a quiet determination to keep the lights on, our homes comfortable, and our communities connected.
West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) linecrews travel across our
four-county service area, building, maintaining, and repairing parts of our local electric distribution system. Their specialized skills ensure our homes remain connected to the grid, businesses stay operational, and emergency services remain accessible - a lifeline that connects all of us.
When the lights go out, and we find ourselves in the dark, our lineworkers become beacons of hope for our communities. Their swift response restores normalcy to our everyday lives, offering stability in times of uncertainty.
continued on page 11
Community Calendar
Multi-County Private Well & Water Quality Workshop • April 24, 4-6:30 PM
Jackson Co. Ag office; 2741 Penn Ave., Marianna
Learn how to ensure your drinking water is safe and what you can do to help protect groundwater quality. Workshop will cover how private wells & septic tanks work, maintenance, and protecting water quality. Registration fee is $5/person. Facilitated water testing is available at reduced rates (which vary depending on tests required). For more info: https://JacksonCountyFCS.Eventbrite.com/ or call 850-482-9620. Pre-registration is encouraged - virtual options available.
Homebuyer Education Class • April 29 & May 6; 3-6 PM
Jackson Co. Ag office; 2741 Penn Ave., Marianna
Understand home buying, analyze personal financial and credit situations & learn basic home care/maintenance to help maintain the value of your home/save money. Pre-registration is required. The Florida Cooperative Extension service is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Completion of the course satisfies the homeownership education requirements for the SHIP and USDA Rural Development program. To register, call 850-482-9620, 850-638-6265 or 850-674-8323.
Garden to Table: Summer Herb Workshop; May 8; 6-8 PM
Jackson Co. Ag office; 2741 Penn Ave., Marianna
Learn about basil, lemongrass, mint, chives and more while focusing on how to best grow & care for a summer herb garden. You can also learn some new recipes to make with your harvest. Try several foods and take home a container of herbs to start your garden. Registration is $15/person. To register: https://JacksonCountyFCS.Eventbrite.com/or call 850-482-9620. Pre-registration is encouraged.
*UF is an Equal Opportunity Institution. Require assistance? Call 800-955-8771.*
WFEC Trustee Election Ballots Due Back: April 16
WFEC Annual Meeting/Member Appreciation Day: April 26
Graceville Civic Center (details to the right)
Coconut Pecan
Pound Cake
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
2 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons coconut flavoring
1 cup coconut
4 eggs
Glaze:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon coconut flavoring
Submitted by: Ruth Bland
Boil for 5 minutes and the power over cake.
Directions:
Bake the cake for 1 hour, 5 minutes at 325 degrees (ovens vary, so check after 45 minutes). When done, glaze.
WFEC Right-of-Way Crews will be cutting & trimming in the following area(s) during
APRIL: Graceville Chipley Orange Hill Area
When ROW crews are trimming in your area, there may be several days between ROW cutting & clean-up crews due to inclement weather, equipment failure or other unforeseen circumstances.
WANTED
Mayhaw berries or juice, willing to pick berries myself; 850-209-1157.
Horses; ponies; mules; donkeys; 850-209-8532 or 850-592-2494.
150-500 acres pasture land, in Holmes or Washington County; 850-234-7070.
Penny through dollar coins, loose, in jars, collections and estates; 850-326-3437.
Someone who does yard work, and will take leaves off my roof; 850-419-0696, leave message.
License plates from any state, mainly Florida, prior to 1980; old motorcycles or parts prior to 1960; 850-557-7030, Greg.
Pasture land to rent, the closer to Campbellton the better; hunting land, small property is okay; 850-703-5450.
1976-1978 Chevrolet C20 3/4 ton truck, with 4-speed manual transmission; 850-849-2426.
Inc.
Notification Statement
Notice is hereby given that the West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. Board of Trustees regularly meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, unless special circumstances warrant a change.
Main Business and Publications Offices
5282 Peanut Road
Graceville, Florida 32440-0127 (850) 263-3231 or 1-800-342-7400
Subscription Rate
Cooperative members, $2.50 per year Non-members, $6.00 per year
Change of Address Notices
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Current Light Flashes
P. O. Box 127 Graceville, Florida 32440-0127
DISCLAIMER: Although paid advertisements may appear in West Florida Electric (WFEC) publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, WFEC does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement. WFEC reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish any advertisement, article or information.
This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
