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Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of

Oklahoma Youth Tour Applications now open

essay topic What changes will affect electric cooperatives in the next 10 years, and how can they prepare?

If you’re a high school junior who attends school in Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s service area, has big dreams of seeing our nation’s capital and is excited to meet new people from across Oklahoma, then Youth Tour is right for you! Candidates will compete for a chance to visit Washinton, D.C. for a weeklong, all-expense-paid trip sponsored by Central. Youth Tour is a two-part competition open to high school juniors where students participate by writing an essay, developing a résumé and submitting an application. The top five contestants will be invited to interview on a Zoom call in front of a panel of judges.

Scan the QR code to learn more!

The overall top two winners will win a $1,000 scholarship and a one-week, all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. with other Youth Tour winners from electric cooperatives across the nation held in June each year. Winners will meet members of congress, and visit monuments, historical sights and Smithsonian museums. The three runner-up applicants will not leave empty-handed, they will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Submissions, rules and guidelines are available at mycentral.coop/youthtour. The deadline for entry is 5 p.m. on February 3, 2023.

“Youth Tour was an unforgettable experience! I met incredible friends and had a great time.” -Bailey Ramsey, 2022 winner

YOU EMPOWERED THE COOPERATIVE WAY Annual Meeting was a great success because of you!

NOVEMBER 2022 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) James Wells, Vice President (District 6) Gary McCune, Secretary/Treasurer (District 1) Greg Tytenicz (District 2) Sid Sperry (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) Bill Davis (District 7) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Kory Bowman - Marketing and Communications Specialist Ivy Swan - Marketing and Communications Specialist

Members’ smiling faces, countless numbers of cars and a sea of orange buckets have kept our heads buzzing at Central since the drive-thru Annual Meeting.

facebook.com/MyCentralCoop

instagram.com/MyCentralCoop

Notice: Central’s office will be closed Nov. 11 for Veteran’s Day and Nov. 25-26 for Thanksgiving. Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Members in attendance voted to incorporate the proposed bylaw changes that have now taken effect. Those bylaw changes will help keep Central current with members’ needs.

We are so appreciative of all the members who are helping keep the cooperative model alive by attending annual meeting. This is the third year Hunter Robinson, Annual Meeting isn’t just a business meeting in a row we reached Central CEO to Central. It gives us quorum, something an opportunity to celebrate what’s many electric cooperatives struggle important - our members! Central to do. is connected to you by more than just powerlines, so thank you for This year, 2,376 members attended empowering your cooperative the drive-thru meetings throughout through the 83rd Annual Meeting. our service area in Chandler,

www.mycentral.coop twitter.com/MyCentralCoop

Guthrie, Perry and Stillwater. It was a record-breaking year for Central, and it is all thanks to you.

THANK YOU Members

Turkey trots

Edmond Turkey Trot Downtown Community Center 28 E. Main St., Edmond OKC Turkey Tracks OKC Memorial 5th St. and Harvey Ave., OKC Piedmont Turkey Trot 119 Monroe Ave. NW, Piedmont Tulsa Turkey Trot BOK Center 200 S. Denver Ave., Tulsa

Scan the QR in the shoe for times and to register Buffalo Wild Wings 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.

CVS 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Homeland 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Dollar General 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sprouts 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Family Dollar 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Walgreens 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

FLU OR CO POISONING? What can be mistaken as flu symptoms can actually be caused by a tasteless, odorless and colorless killer, Carbon monoxide. Approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency department each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How do you prepare for something you can’t smell or see? Here are a few tips to help:

Cracker Barrel 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.

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Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.

Domino’s 10:30 a.m. - Midnight

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Don’t burn anything on a stove or fireplace that isn’t vented.

Ihop 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.

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Never use a generator, pressure washer or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage or other enclosed structure without proper ventilation.

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If you are feeling dizzy, lightheaded or nauseated after using a stove or gasolinepowered engine, don’t go to sleep and instead seek medical attention.

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Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern or portable camping stove inside a home, tent or camper.

McDonald’s 5 a.m. - Midnight Sonic Hours and openings vary Starbucks 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. Whataburger Open 24 hours

check local websites as Hours may vary based on location

CONGRATULATE CENTRAL’S NEWEST GRADUATES for sale Great Plains no-till drill, 30 ft. Cat Challenger Ag 65C track tractor. Call 405-714-3422. 4 Paws Inn and Spa @4pawsinnok on Facebook and Instagram 405-377-3647 • 6304 S Perkins Rd., Stillwater stillwaterpetboardingservice.com Serving Stillwater and surrounding areas for your dog boarding and grooming needs.

Nonprofit Postings Central Community Foundation grant applications are due on November 15, to be reviewed at the December foundation meeting. Learn more and submit your application at mycentral.foundation.

SUBMIT YOUR AD Submit your ad by email to editor@mycentral. coop by the 5th of each month! Ads will be edited and run as space allows.

Two of Central’s employees Sean Martin and Hudson Roberts completed the meter technician certification program at the Northwest Lineman College. The pair were honored at the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives lineman graduation and awards ceremony in September after more than 450 hours completed through the program. “These guys did a great job, and I’m proud of the hard work they put into this achievement,” said Dewayne Drury, Central’s Director of Operations. The program teaches meter technicians how to be responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing meters and other types of

DEDICATED TO SERVE

A team of Central employees volunteered to rebuild fencing, remove overgrown tree limbs and clear cluttered flowerbeds during United Way of Payne County’s annual Day of Caring.

Six co-op volunteers worked at a local Mobile Meals clients’ home. Mobile Meals provides elderly and homebound residents in the Stillwater area with lunchtime meals. Central has volunteered at United Way’s Day of Caring for the last several years. Day of Caring kicks off United Way’s annual fundraising

campaign where 500 volunteers complete projects at local nonprofit partner agencies and clients’ homes. “The blisters and body aches were worth the pain to help a local member in our community,” said Cortney Branham, Central’s Director of Energy Services. Serving members and communities are a part of Central’s core values, dedication to serve, which guides the cooperative and its employees.

From left to right: Wade Hurst, OAEC Loss Control Instructor; Dewayne Drury Central Director of Operations; Sean Martin, Central Electrical Equipment Superintendent; Hudson Roberts, Central Electrical Equipment Technician; and Derec Janaway, OAEC Director of Safety & Loss Control.

equipment. Meter technicians need to have a clear understanding of safety protocols and continuously check their equipment to ensure it functions properly. They also perform safety inspections on equipment.