Issuu

Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of

YOUTH TOUR WINNERS ANNOUNCED

 Students from across Central's service area competed in the 2021 scholarship contest Each year, Central sends two students to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Youth Tour program organized by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives. Like 2020, the trip for 2021 was canceled due to Covid-19, however, Central still hosted the contest and presented scholarships to finalists. Current high school juniors going to school within Central’s service area were eligible to apply. Students submitted an essay on the importance of rural internet. Five finalists were chosen based on their essay scores. The finalists were then interviewed by a panel of judges, and two were selected as scholarship winners. The two winners, Abbi Avers, Carney High School, and Lenna Abouzahr, Stillwater High School, received $2,000

Abbi Avers

Lenna Abouzahr

scholarships in lieu of the trip. The three additional finalists, Jesse Morris, Ripley High School; Katelyn Walker, Perry High School; and Emily Massar, Stillwater High School, each received $250 scholarships.

Central would like to think our judges, Rena Hines, Meridian Technology Center; Erin Portman, International Fire Service Training Association; and Kaylee Travis, Oklahoma State University for serving as judges.

TONTZ TO RETIRE FROM BOARD District four trustee Len Tontz announced his retirement from the board of trustees at the end of his term following 17 years of service to the cooperative and its members. Dr. Len Tontz

Tontz, who joined the board in 2004, represents members in parts of Logan, Oklahoma and Payne counties. Tontz achieved the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and Director

Gold certifications from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Tontz served as President of the Central board from 2008-2011. n SEE “RETIREMENT,” PAGE 4

UPDATE FROM THE CEO

RESPECTFUL ENGAGEMENT

J U LY 2 0 2 1 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) Stu Preston, Vice President (District 2) Bill Davis, Secretary/Treasurer (District 7) Gary McCune (District 1) Len Tontz (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) James Wells (District 6) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Kory Frazier - Marketing and Communications Specialist

www.MyCentral.coop facebook.com/MyCentralCoop twitter.com/MyCentralCoop instagram.com/MyCentralCoop

Notice: Central’s office will be closed Monday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day. Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Establishing a set of organizational new format was a success and allowed core values are one way to ensure us to reach even more members. In Central always operates with a high fact, a post meeting survey found that standard of customer service. The most attendees prefer the drive-thru core value of Respectful Engagement format versus the traditional inis one of our six core values and person meeting. represents how we strive to engage with the membership, our To bring back more face-tocommunities, our fellow face interaction this year, we employees, and anyone decided to host two member we interact with daily. appreciation picnics we I really enjoy the quote called Kilowatts and Brats. by Will Durant, “We are The events were held in June what we repeatedly do. at our office in Stillwater Excellence then, is not an and at Tilghman Park in Hunter Robinson, act, but a habit.” It's a perfect Chandler. Members had Central CEO summary of what Central the opportunity to visit with works to exhibit day in and employees and the Board of day out. Trustees. At the time of writing this column, the Stillwater meeting was a Respectful engagement is lived out success, and we expect the Chandler by the cooperative in many ways. As meeting to be as well. a local company, we take pride in being accessible to all of our 17,000 Moving forward, we are developing members. We welcome engagement more opportunities like Kilowatts and communication and Brats to engage with a desire to answer our membership your questions and and further assist in any way demonstrate our core possible. Whether it’s value of respectful in the office, on the engagement. phone, in the field or at Watch for these a member meeting, we announcements in are here for you. our newsletter and on social media. Last year, the pandemic altered I encourage you to our business in many save the date for ways. One obstacle was our 82nd Annual Central’s annual meeting. Originally Meeting on October 7, 2021. Due to scheduled for May 2020, it was uncertainties at the time of planning quickly realized that there was no the meeting, this year’s format will be way to safely have an event that drew the same as last year with locations an average attendance of more than in Chandler, Guthrie, Perry and 2,000. Plan B was to postpone the Stillwater. Watch your newsletter event to October and have a drivefor more information in the months thru format at four locations. The to come!

DISTRICT ELECTION FILING DATES Now is your chance to experience the second cooperative principle, democratic member control, by choosing your district’s representation on the board of trustees.

Members in districts 2, 3 and 4 will receive a postcard with additional information in the mail. To learn more about Central’s democratic process, visit MyCentral.coop/bylaws. Members can find out which district they reside in by visiting MyCentral. coop/districts or by calling our office at 405-372-2884.

Members in districts 2, 3, and 4 have the DEMOCRATIC opportunity to file as a MEMBER candidate for trustee. CONTROL Interested candidates The incumbents for must file a Notice of Candidacy in person during regular districts 2 and 3, Stu Preston and Carol Dvorak, have expressed their business hours at Central’s office intentions to run for another term. during the following filing periods: District 4 trustee, Len Tontz, has announced his retirement from • District 3: Aug. 11 - 16, 2021 the board. • District 2: Aug. 20 - 25, 2021 • District 4: Aug. 27 - Sept. 1, 2021

KILOWATTS & BRATS A SUCCESS

BEAT THE HEAT The human body is normally able to regulate its temperature through sweating, until it is exposed to more heat than it can handle. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can escalate rapidly, leading to delirium, organ damage and even death. If your job requires you to work outside in hot weather, you and your coworkers can take precautions to minimize the risk of heat-related illnesses. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends: Z Working shorter shifts until workers have adjusted to the heat. Z Staying hydrated and drinking before you get thirsty. Z Watch out for coworkers exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Z Take time to rest and cool down. In your community, please check in on neighbors who are elderly, housebound or otherwise may be reluctant to ask for help. You can offer to host them in the air-conditioned comfort of your living room on hot days, drive them to a local cooling center, or call relatives or city services to arrange for them to stay cool.

The Stillwater Kilowatts and Brats was held at Central's office on June 8. Members enjoyed food from Purdy Q's food truck, entertainment by Carly Nash, and fellowship with Central employees and board members.

Learn more about avoiding heatrelated illness at https://www.nsc. org/home-safety/tools-resources/ seasonal-safety/summer/heat.

n RETIREMENT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“Dr. Tontz has been a tremendous asset to the board of trustees,” said Central CEO, Hunter Robinson. “He has been an advocate for members in the Guthrie and surrounding area. His insight and expertise will be greatly missed.”

The District 4 trustee seat will be filled in accordance with the bylaws at a district election in September. Members should watch their mail for additional information.

for sale

SERVICES

Great Plains no-till drill, 30 ft. Cat Challenger 65C track tractor. Call Charles at 405-714-3422, Perkins

Dr. Myers Chiropractic, Luther Real “Hands-on” physical adjustment $35 total office visit. Truck Driver DOT health card $75. Truck Driver DOT drug test $45. Truck Driver DOT alcohol test $45. Truck Owner FMCSA (DOT) Compliant. Randomized Drug Testing Program. Call 405-277-3325

SUBMIT YOUR AD Submit your ad by email to editor@mycentral. coop by the 5th of each month!

Submit classifieds to P.O. Box 1809, Stillwater, OK 74076 or email to editor@mycentral.coop by the 5th of each month! Name _______________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________

Introducing

We know you’re excited to get Centranet fiber at your home, and we’re working to build the network as quickly as possible. However, the entire project is expected to take 5-7 years to complete. Visit CentranetFiber.com to learn more and sign up for email updates. We will send you emails as the project progresses and let you know when it’s your time to sign up for service. We will also be posting updates to our social media accounts, so follow us @CentranetFiber on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! We appreciate your patience and know that our service will be worth the wait!

Acct. # ______________________________________________________________ Phone # _____________________________________________________________ Ad is to read: ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

82nd Annual Meeting

Save th

OCTOBER 7, 2021 D e ATE Chandler • Guthrie • Perry •Stillwater 4