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 an idea to improve communication? Send feedback, information, and photos to Jade at jadeg@butlerrural.coop.
MAY 6 • 7:30 TO 8 A.M.
If your birthday is in April, May, or June, plan to join other employees in the Community Room from 7:30 to 8 a.m. for the second quarter birthday breakfast!
Congratulations to Denis and Susan Armstead, who welcomed a grandson March 27. Luxton Henning is the newest member of Sara and Zach Henning's family.
Please be aware of the nearest safe area if a tornado warning were to occur when in different areas of the building.
We're celebrating our employees in April! Departments will enjoy a special treat on the dates below.
Electrical Services
Friday, April 3
Physical Facilities
Monday, April 6
Corporate Services
Friday, April 10
Operations
Monday, April 13
Engineering
Friday, April 17
Accounting
Monday, April 20
Human Resources & Safety
Friday, April 24
Member Services
Monday, April 27
WHY SHOULD I HAVE A MAMMOGRAM?
• One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer
• Most women who develop breast cancer have no family history
• Mammograms can detect cancer 3 years before a tumor can be felt
• 2.8 million+ survivors
• 98% survival rate for early detection
Julie
Tricia
Emily
Josh
Rick
Jade Guthrie
April 10 11 years
Ray Brunner
April 11
21 years
Beth Polk
April 15 1 year
Denis Armstead
May 8 20 years
Cody Holthaus
May 8 3 years
Derk Beckett
May 24 22 years
Adam Osborn
May 30 9 years
Tom Wolfenbarger
June 14 27 years
Jacob Harrison
June 17 2 years
Bob McIntosh
June 17 24 years
Ryleigh Persinger
June 19 3 years
Kim Phipps
June 26 31 years
All employees are invited to celebrate Ron Kolb and Bob Spaeth's retirement from our board of trustees with cake in the Community Room Wednesday, April 29 at 1 p.m.
Below are several tips to keep in mind as you post to your personal social media ac counts:
Do like and follow the co-op’s social media pages and accounts.
Do thoroughly review our social media policy and guidelines.
If you love your job, let folks know! Do consider rating and reviewing the co-op on social media.
Do like, share, and interact with content on the co-op’s social channels.
Do exercise caution and thoughtfulness when posting to social media.
Do consider making your accounts private to protect your personal details. Do post and/or share positive content:
• Photos and information about community events in which the co-op is involved. Members love seeing co-op employees investing in their hard work!
• Photos and information about events we host, like our annual meeting.
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC
Do not post negative comments about the co-op on social media channels. Consider every post to be public.
Do not respond to negative or angry posts by members. Our communications
you see a negative post from a member, give us a heads up!
Do not speak on behalf of the co-op.
Do not post financial, legal, or confidential information about the co-op, colleagues, and/or members
Do not post information or images you’re unsure about. Always check with someone in communications if you’re unsure.
Energy Day is at our office Monday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Set up will begin at 8:30 and clean up will be from 12 to 12:30 p.m. Energy Day features eight stations that are rotated every 15 minutes. If you work a station during Energy Day, you will repeat the same materials eight times.
We will host 250 sixth grade students from Talawanda Middle School. Lunch will be provided for employees who work the event.
If you’re interested in helping at a station, please let Andy know. Speak with your supervisor before signing up to work Energy Day. All station facilitators will receive a script and the materials needed to present.
Employees are needed to work the following stations:
Snap Circuits - 1 employee
Energy Bike - 2 employees
Energy Relay - 2 employees
Solar Talk - 1 employee
Generation & Transmission - 2 employees
Energy Efficiency - 2 employees
Wind Lab - 2 employees
Safety Demonstration - Denis & 2 lineworkers
Spring 2026
Board of Trustees
Election Ends
April 28
Board Meeting & Retirement Celebration for Ron Kolb and Bob Spaeth
April 29
Virtual Annual Meeting
April 30
MAY
Birthday Breakfast
May 6
Mobile Mammogram Unit at Co-op
May 6
Safety Committee Meeting
May 7
Employee Meeting
May 12
Energy Day
May 18
Office Closed for Memorial Day
May 25
Board Meeting
May 27
JUNE
Oxford Summer Music Festival
June 4
Board Meeting
June 24
Human Services Administrator Missy Moore recently graduated from Leadership Edge, a statewide program aiming to hone the skills of the next generation of electric cooperative leaders.
Leadership Edge was hosted by Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives and required six courses, two assessments, and a capstone project. Coursework focused on coaching employees, managing conflict, adapting communication approaches, carrying out difficult conversations, and delivering results.
Congratulations, Missy!
James Hatfield
April 14
MAY
Ricky Zhang
May 8
Mason Miller
May 10
Derk Beckett
May 12
Mick Johnson
May 12
Riley Salyers
May 15
Joshua Smock
May 20
Ryleigh Persinger
June 5
Tricia Blevins
June 12
Ryan Kerr
June 14
Bob McIntosh
June 17
Wade Bullock
June 20
$43,000 donated to 29 local organizations
See grant recipients at butlerrural.coop
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is sending five delegates on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C., June 14 through 20. These delegates will be announced in the June issue of Ohio Cooperative Living magazine and will attend a Youth Tour Orientation at our office May 19 at 5 p.m.
This spring, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative awarded eight scholarships to children of members who are high school seniors. Scholarship recipients will be announced in the May issue of Ohio Cooperative Living magazine.
Sadie Abbitt, our top-placing scholarship recipient, will compete for up to $4,600 in additional scholarships from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives in April.
Three year safety improvement goals (what we want to achieve over the next three years)
1. Increase exposure to safety rules
2. Improve/conduct ancillary training
3. Improve safety audit program
Annual objectives for safety improvement (what we want to achieve this year)
1. Review up to 1/3 of the safety rules and guidelines as part of a continuing program
2. Perform a minimum of 12 crew observations for each lineman on staff
3. Conduct job site/crew audit with safety committee members
4. Perform job site audits of non-lineworkers
5. Incorporate “Safety First Agenda” discussion as first agenda items at all internal meetings
6. Conduct substation training of relayed substations (Milford Substation)
7. Conduct safety training on new equipment as needed
8. Conduct random truck inspections/safety audits on all trucks
9. Review safety rules with lineworkers
10. Conduct a MayDay Tabletop Exercise utilizing Crisis Communication Plan
11. Conduct SCADA switching order training
12. Provide an office SCADA demo for lineworkers
13. Develop documentation of incident analysis program
THURSDAY,
Our virtual annual meeting is Thursday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. Members can view the meeting online or listen by phone.
Register for the meeting at butlerrural.coop. You can view the meeting even if you’re not a member. You will also receive a recording of the meeting after April 30 If you’re a member, view the entire meeting to receive a $25 bill credit! You’ll also be entered to win a $50 bill credit each month.
April 4 marks 90 years of serving members as a local, not-for-profit cooperative, and that milestone is only possible because of you, our employees. Your dedication, hard work, and commitment have shaped who we are today, and it’s incredible to reflect on how far both our cooperative and the communities we serve have come.
When the cooperative was formed in 1936, it was built on the belief that rural families deserved the same opportunities as those in larger cities. Bringing electricity to farms and homes was no small task. It required determination, grit, and a shared sense of purpose – qualities that continue to define our team today.
In those early years, power lines were built mile by mile, and electricity slowly began transforming daily life. Lights replaced lanterns, refrigeration preserved food, and new technologies helped rural communities grow and thrive. None of that progress would have been possible without the people willing to do the hard, often unseen work behind the scenes.
through phones and the internet, to supporting farms, businesses, and home operations, reliable energy is more important than ever. And while much has changed, one thing hasn’t: it still takes a dedicated team working every day to ensure power is there when our members need it.
Over the past nine decades, our system has expanded, technology has advanced, and expectations have grown. Through it all, the cooperative spirit – neighbors helping neighbors – remains at the heart of everything we do. That spirit lives in each of you, whether you’re in the field, in the office, or supporting operations in countless other ways.
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re not just looking back, we’re looking ahead. The work you do today – planning, maintaining, innovating, and serving – lays the foundation for the next generation. Ninety years from now, the impact of your efforts will still be felt.
Fast forward to today, and electricity powers nearly every part of modern life. From keeping members connected
Thank you for your commitment, your expertise, and your pride in your work. You are the reason this cooperative has thrived for 90 years and the reason it will continue to succeed for many more to come.
HUNT
Saturday, April 4
Visit the Ross High School Athletic Field at 11 a.m. for candy eggs, prize eggs, a bike raffle, and more! Rossarea children and guests 12 years old and under are welcome to the egg hunt with their families.
Thursday, June 4
Enjoy a summer evening with us in uptown Oxford! Hear great music from Lisa Biales (blues and Americana music) at this outdoor festival from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Bring your friends and family, blankets, and lawn chairs!
Sunday, July 5
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative helps sponsor the Fireworks Extravaganza at Hueston Woods State Park. Enjoy a cookout, DJ, and fireworks launched from the middle of Acton Lake.
Friday, July 10
One of our most popular events is our annual member appreciation day. Family Day is at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your family for free hot dogs, popcorn, Flub’s ice cream, games, prizes, caricaturists, and more!
Saturday, July 25
Junior fair exhibitors and their families enjoy a meal and relax after spending the day moving their animals and equipment onto the fairgrounds for the Butler County Fair, which begins the next day.
Friday, July 31
Butler and Darke Rural Electric Cooperatives sponsor this annual picnic at the Preble County Fairgrounds. Junior fair exhibitors and their families enjoy a meal and relax after spending the day moving their animals and equipment onto the fairgrounds for the Preble County Fair, which begins the next day.
Friday, August 14
Grab a team of four and join us at Indiana Ridge Golf Club to raise money for Butler Rural Community Connection!
Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18
Visit the popular Black Walnut Festival with more than 135 vendors. Visitors will enjoy a fun fall festival including food trucks, kids zone, entertainment, parade, and car show.
Every three years, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative participates in the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program, or RESAP, which is a comprehensive safety audit that evaluates policies, procedures, training, and day-to-day operations. The program helps electric cooperatives review their safety practices, identify areas for improvement, and ensure employees are equipped to work safely while delivering reliable power to the communities they serve.
In 2025, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative completed its most recent RESAP review, reflecting the cooperative’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a strong culture of safety. These regular safety recaps and certifications are important because they demonstrate accountability and transparency. By reviewing and improving safety practices on a consistent schedule, the cooperative helps protect employees in the field, reduce service disruptions, and maintain the dependable electric service members rely on every day.
Pictured from left are Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives Director of Safety Training and Loss Prevention Dwight Miller and Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees President David Evans.
Do you have information to include in the employee newsletter or an idea 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