We hope the newsletter keeps you informed on employee and member updates. You will receive Between the Lines every three months. Each issue will feature employee anniversaries, birthdays, upcoming meetings and events, and more.
We want to hear from you!
Do you have information to include in the newsletter or ideas to improve communication? Send feedback, information, and photos to Jade at jadeg@butlerrural.coop.
It's important to report hazards in the field if you see something that looks off when you're outside the office, like when you're on your way home after work.
If you see something that could be dangerous, report it to Denis. One of our employees will inspect the problem and fix it if needed.
Report these problems even if you're unsure it's impacting an electric line or if you don't know if the electric line is in our territory. Doing so will keep our employees and the public safe.
Shown here is a tree limb on an electric line. If you see this in our area, report it to Denis.
Mick Johnson
October 10 14 years
Missy Moore
October 17
31 years
Rhett Hughes
October 29
18 years
Noah Krall
October 23
6 years
Lori Maynard December 1 17 years
Darlene Thompson
years
December 14 27 years
Celebration Saturday, December 13
COMMUNITY SERVICE DAYS
October 7 + 14
FLU SHOTS IN COMMUNITY ROOM
October 14
COFFEE WITH THE CO-OP
October 21
PIRC MEETINGS
October 21, 22, + 23
BOARD MEETING
October 29
COMMUNITY SAFETY DEMONSTRATION
October 30
EMPLOYEE MEETING
November 5
ANNUAL BENEFIT ENROLLMENT
November 5 through 14
SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
November 12
BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST
November 13
HOLIDAY HARVEST FOOD DRIVE BEGINS
November 14
BOARD CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS
November 18
BOARD MEETING
November 26
OFFICE CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING
November 27 + 28
HOLIDAY HARVEST FOOD DRIVE ENDS
December 12
EMPLOYEE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Hamilton Marriott
December 13
OFFICE CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS
December 24 + 25
BOARD MEETING
December 31
Wednesday, November 5
Birthday Breakfast
NOVEMBER 13
7:30 TO 8 A.M.
If your birthday is in October, November, or December, plan to join Tom and other employees in the Community Room for the fourth quarter birthday breakfast!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Debbie Carley, who welcomed a new granddaughter May 19 Caroline Sue Caylor was 7 lbs. 1 oz and 20 inches long. Her parents are Chrissy and Jacob Caylor.
The Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL Foundation, in partnership with Butler Rural Community Connection, awarded a $10,000 grant to Camden Elementary School, part of Preble Shawnee’s School District. The grant was used to purchase 30 Chromebooks for the school’s first-grade students, providing essential access to digital learning tools.
The initiative reflects a strong commitment to supporting education in rural communities, helping to bridge the technology gap for young learners. To celebrate the occasion, the Bengals mascot visited the school, creating an exciting and memorable experience for students and staff.
Andy Denny
October 3
Steve Abrams
October 14
Denis Armstead
October 25
Jade Guthrie
October 25
Daniel Chaney
November 5
Jacob Harrison
November 13
Emily Bourne
November 27
Jeremy Hill
November 28
Seth Fricke
December 12
In September, we welcomed James Hatfield as our new electrician.
James has worked as an electrician for the past five years, primarily focusing on residential customers and commercial accounts.
He lives in Oxford with his wife, Ashley, and their three kids – Kaden, Alex, and Brantlee. During his free time, James coaches youth and middle school wrestling and youth football at Talawanda. He also enjoys fishing.
Welcome, James!
Lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need this holiday season
Nov. 14 through Dec. 12
Employees can donate nonperishable items beginning Nov. 14. Please take these item's to Andy's office.
Items are given to local food banks and churches to give to families in need.
Employees who are members will be entered to win a $50 bill credit for every 10 items donated! See the front desk to be entered into the drawing after you donate items.
THIS YEAR –
If all employees work together to donate 500 items, we will win a pizza party for all employees in January! That's only 11 items per employee! See how to donate above.
In July, Wade Bullock became our newest apprentice lineworker. Wade has worked at the cooperative since 2024, most recently serving as our electrician.
Wade enjoys going to the gym, riding motorcycles, and spending time with family during his free time.
Congratulations, Wade!
$43,000 donated to 38 local organizations
See grant recipients at butlerrural.coop
Community Connection benefits non-profit organizations where we live and work. Consider contributing to the program or increase your level of giving during open enrollment Nov. 5-14.
We're hosting Personal Investment and Retirement Consulting (PIRC) Services October 21 through 23. A representative will be at our office to meet with employees during that time.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING FAMILY DAY A SUCCESS!
The event will end at 4 p.m next year
Whether we like it or not, decisions made in Washington, D.C. and at our state capital impact us from how much we pay for electricity to what benefits we provide our employees. That’s why it is so important to elect and re-elect people who understand the concerns of America’s electric cooperatives.
America’s
America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC is the federal political action committee (PAC) of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and is backed by nearly 35,000 eligible employees, directors, and consumer-members across the country. It is truly a grassroots movement powered by thousands of contributors giving an average of $65 per year.
Your PAC contribution builds our collective strength, which is grounded in the relationships between local electric co-ops, the communities they serve, and the candidates seeking to represent them. Join the thousands of co-op leaders who value political engagement and the role it plays in our collective success. For just a small amount a month, you can be sure your voice is heard in Washington, D.C.
Make PAC elections during annual benefit enrollment November 5 through 14.
Eligible: Directors; salaried employees with policymaking, managerial, professional or supervisory responsibilities; and any consumermember of an electric co-op that belongs to NRECA.
Ineligible: Non-exempt hourly employees*; salaried foreman with direct supervision over hourly employees*; outside contractors, such as consultants or outside attorneys*; consumers of a public power district; and general public.
*If any of these are consumer members of an electric co-op that belongs to NRECA, they can join America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC. Employees who are ineligible to join AEC PAC can join OEC PAC. Speak with HR during annual benefit enrollment to learn more.
Contributions to the NRECA America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions to America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC are voluntary and will be used for political purposes. You have the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. Federal law prohibits contributions from foreign nationals who lack permanent resident status. Any contribution guidelines presented are merely suggestions. You are free to contribute more or less than the suggested amounts, or not at all. NRECA will not favor or disadvantage anyone by reason of the amount contributed or a decision not to contribute. For more information on the PAC, please contact your local cooperative or NRECA PAC team at 703-907-5799 or by email at pacteam@nreca.coop.
*Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200.
Members will receive a variety of capital credits notices from us over the next few months. These notices are listed on the following pages.
These emails let members know they can apply capital credits to their electric bill instead of receiving a capital credits check. The email below will be sent to paperless members with capital credits over $20 October 7. We send similar emails to paperless members with capital credits less than $20 and paperless members who have chosen to apply their capital credits to their electric bill each year.
This email lets members know their capital credits check is in the mail. The email below will be sent to members receiving capital credits checks November 12.
Effective July 1, we now allow rebates for members replacing electric water heaters, not only those replacing fossil fuel water heaters. Water heater size, requirements, and rebate amounts have not changed.
The letter below is included with capital credits checks to active members who are not members of America's Electric Cooperative PAC. The letter asks members to consider investing a portion of their capital credits in AEC PAC to help protect the cooperative business model. Checks are mailed November 12.
Consider helping us preserve the cooperative business model, which gives you the benefit of capital credits checks, and help us hold down your energy costs by becoming part of America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC, or AEC PAC. Being part of the political process is key to maintaining our business model status as a cooperative, which ensures you continue receiving capital credits checks for years to come. It helps us continue to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric service while holding down energy costs.
AEC PAC gives you, the member-owner, a voice on behalf of your cooperative. AEC PAC is our best tool to maintain the attention of decision makers, both in Ohio and Washington, D.C., who are working on issues and regulations affecting energy.
With your support, we can strengthen our political voice in Washington, D.C., and let legislators know their decisions directly impact you. For just $25 per year, or $2.08 per month, you can be part of the voice. We ask that you consider reinvesting a portion of your capital credits check to strengthen your voice and help preserve the cooperative business model. Fill out the form below and mail it to the cooperative’s office in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If you wish to return a check with the form below, please make checks payable to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.
Contributions to the NRECA America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Contributions to America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC are voluntary and will be used for political purposes. You have the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. Federal law prohibits contributions from foreign nationals who lack permanent resident status. Any contribution guidelines presented are merely suggestions. You are free to contribute more or less than the suggested amounts, or not at all. NRECA will not favor or disadvantage anyone by reason of the amount contributed or a decision not to contribute. For more information on the PAC, please contact your local cooperative or NRECA PAC team at 703-907-5799 or by email at pacteam@nreca.coop.
Yes! I want to participate in AEC PAC and authorize adding the following amount to my monthly bill:
$2.08 per month ($25 per year)
Century Club PAC Member
$8.03 per month ($100 per year)
President’s Club PAC Member
$41.60 per month ($500 per year)
Organizations, businesses, and corporations are not eligible to participate in PAC. By filling out the form below, you confirm that your contribution has been made with non-corporate funds:
Name
Address
Account #
Other amount
Signature PAC Member
The insert below is included with capital credits checks to active members who are members of AEC PAC. We also mail a similar insert to inactive (past) members. Checks are mailed November 12.
As a previous member of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, you’re receiving a capital credits check based on your past patronage. Abiding by one of the Seven Cooperative Principles, Members’ Economic Participation, the board of trustees determines the retirement of capital credits based on the cooperative’s financial stability. Capital credits are one of the many differences that set cooperatives apart from other business models.
It’s important to update the cooperative of your current address. If the capital credits check has been written to a loved one who has passed away, please contact the cooperative’s office for information on the capital credits estate process.
Thank you for your patronage.
Why you’re receiving a capital credits check:
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit organization owned by our members. The money to cover day-to-day operating costs comes from members paying their monthly electric bills.
At the end of the year, the cooperative subtracts operating expenses from the amount of money collected and the remaining balance is called the margin.
The margins left at the end of the year were allocated, or assigned, to your capital credits account based on your patronage. Your patronage is the amount of money you paid for your electric service each year.
Your capital credits account is similar to a bank account. It is the accumulation of margins that were allocated to you based on your patronage. The cooperative deposited your patronage into your capital credits account at the end of each year.
The cooperative withdrew margins from your capital credits account and sent them to you in the form of a check this year.
1 2 3 4 5
The postcard below is sent to past members who should have received their last capital credits check from us. This will be sent December 1.
You should have received your last capital credits check from us.
As a previous member-owner of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, you have been receiving capital credits checks based on your past patronage.
Abiding by one of the Seven Cooperative Principles, Members’ Economic Participation, the board of trustees determines the retirement of capital credits based on the cooperative’s financial stability. Capital credits are one of many differences that set cooperatives apart from other business models.
At this time, your capital credits account has been paid in full and you will no longer receive capital credits checks or statements from us. If you have not received your capital credits check, please contact the cooperative’s office by calling 513-867-4400 or 800-255-2732.
Promptly cashing the check is appreciated. Thank you for your support of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.
If you hear the fire alarm while at work, proceed to the nearest exit and report to the Stillwell Beckett gate entrance. Please keep in mind the location of the nearest fire extinguisher and exits when visiting different areas within the building.
We're thankful for our employees going above and beyond for our members every day. Plan to join us on the dates below to enjoy a special treat from the cooperative.
NOV. 6 Apples + Caramel
NOV. 13 Cookies
NOV. 20 Pitch-in
Bring your favorite pumpkin or apple treat and recipe to share. Those who bring a dish will be entered into a drawing for a prize.
During the September board meeting, the board of trustees approved a cost of living adjustment of 3% for all positions beginning January 2026. If you have the opportunity, please extend your thanks to our board members for their continued support of the cooperative and its employees.
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative recently surveyed members through The Cooperative Advantage Report, a free national electric cooperative survey provided by Touchstone Energy. 252 of our members were surveyed online and gave us our highest satisfaction score to date! Our new ACSI score is 92 out of 100.
This score is 5 points higher than our ACSI score from this spring. Our retention score, which measures loyalty and satisfaction by asking members how likely they are to recommend Butler Rural Electric Cooperative to a friend or colleague, was 3 points higher at 84 out of 100. Below are several likely reasons why the scores were higher:
> Members experienced mail issues, high January and February bills, and outages right before surveying began for our previous survey March 31
> Members responded well to June outages and had learned we were not having a rate increase before surveying began July 2
> Different members were surveyed in March and July Thank you for going the extra mile to help us achieve this score!
To recognize this achievement, the board of trustees has granted a personal day to each employee to use in 2026. More details on this personal day will be discussed during our employee meeting November 5.
Members now have access to advanced home use data within SmartHub. This allows members to see bill analyses, energy breakdowns, energy details, projected bill amounts, and tips to save money. If you don't have access to SmartHub and would like to see these updates, see anyone in
Community Relations and Marketing Coordinator Andy Denny recently completed the Certified Cooperative Communicator (CCC) Program. Through this program, co-op employees enhance their professional skills and earn the CCC credential, which signifies competence in the communication field and detailed knowledge of the co-op industry.
Congratulations, Andy!
Employees will have the chance to bring in food to share and wear a sports team jersey with appropriate pants in November or December! More details to come.
Members can visit our office in October for a chance to win up to $100 in bill credits. Here's how employees can celebrate:
Knob Creek Coffee will be in our front parking lot Tuesday, October 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each employee will receive a voucher for one free drink from the coffee trailer!
Do you have information to include in the employee newsletter or ideas to improve communication? Send feedback, information, and photos to Jade at jadeg@butlerrural.coop.
To be a dynamic, progressive organization guided by cooperative principles and to provide energy and other value-added services to its members. The cooperative will participate in its communities, providing leadership and support to improve the quality of life for all of its citizens.
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC