FIBER IS COMING! Eighty-two years ago, Central Rural Electric Cooperative lit up rural north central Oklahoma when it began building its electrical distribution system. Today, we’re doing it all over again but with a different kind of light … fiber. We are excited to introduce you to Centranet, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Central dedicated to bringing our membership cutting-edge internet and phone services. Just as we saw the need for rural electrification back then, we see the need for high-speed internet access for everyone today. We believe the view out your window shouldn’t determine your ability to connect with the world.
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IT’S NATIONAL CO-OP MONTH
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NETTLES RETIRES FROM BOARD
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Electricity is not considered a luxury anymore, but rather a necessity. We feel the same about the internet. Every home, business and school should have access to high-speed internet and phone capabilities. Centranet is here to provide it.
Upcoming
ANNUAL MEETING IS OCT. 8
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UPDATE FROM THE CEO
IT’S NATIONAL CO-OP MONTH
OCTOBER 2020 Central Board of Trustees: Bill Davis, President (District 7) Gary McCune, Vice President (District 1) Carol Dvorak, Secretary/Treasurer (District 3) Stu Preston (District 2) Len Tontz (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) Vacant (District 6) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Larry Mattox - Director of Communications
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Contact Us: editor@MyCentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076
Notice: Central’s office will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12 for an employee training.
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Each October since 1964, cooperatives across the nation celebrate National Cooperative Month. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our heritage and unique collaborative spirit that are at the heart of our origin. If you were to read through the birth stories of individual cooperatives, you would begin to notice a theme: diversity, equity and inclusion. Cooperatives are filled with diverse people from all walks of life who come together to unite for a common purpose. Typically, the purpose is to solve a problem for themselves and those around them. Time and time again, people have found they can do more together than they can alone.
principles upon which all cooperatives are founded. And that’s not all! Cooperatives are everywhere you look! Ace Hardware, the Associated Press, Sunkist, Welch’s and Whole Foods are a few other nationally-known brands that can attribute their foundation to the cooperative model. They stand for diversity, equity and inclusion. Not only for their members, but also for their employees and customers.
Isn’t it comforting to know that your electric provider operates under the same set of principles? Just as these companies continue to assess the market Hunter Robinson, and create new products, CenCentral CEO tral strives to do the same.
That’s exactly the thought behind the Ocean Spray Cooperative. Their story begins in 1930 when three independent cranberry growers found the key to expanding the fruit’s success: a single cranberry-growing family! Today, the cooperative includes more than 700 grower families across North and South America. Ocean Spray isn’t the only well-known cooperative. Since 1921, Land O’Lakes has returned $187 million to its members, which is now at 3,444 across the world. The fact that each of these members have a fair and equal representation is one of the seven cooperative
#CoopMonth More than 100 electric co-ops are working toward diverse solutions to bridge the digital divide. The sector is poised to bring broadband service to 6.3 million underserved American households.
We have evolved with our members and focused on engaging with the communities within our service area so we can begin to understand the varying challenges and opportunities for each. One challenge we have heard from members is the lack of high-speed internet access. We are excited about the opportunities fiber to the home from Centranet will provide to you. Know that as we expand our services and venture into a new path together, we will do so with the same commitment to service and to helping the greater good that we were founded on.
Construction on the 5-7 year project will begin this fall. Members will be notified of construction in their area.
LCHS RECEIVES FOUNDATION GRANT
Let us know your interest in fiber at mycentral.coop/ broadband COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Lincoln County Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of local history and the education of future generations. The society will better be able to serve its museum patrons when a roof rebuild is complete thanks in part to a $1,500 grant from the Central Community Foundation. The society is still raising funds for the project that is expected to cost $75,000. Pictured left to right are Central trustee, Bill Davis, along with LCHS board members Susan Morton and Dee Douglas. Learn more about the LCHS by visiting okpioneermuseum.org.
NETTLES RETIRES FROM BOARD Central district six trustee Raymond Nettles announced his retirement from the board of trustees in August following 33 years of service to the cooperative and its members.
“Mr. Nettles has been a great example of direct member representation in the board room,” said Central CEO, Hunter Robinson. “Members knew he was ready and willing to listen and answer their questions or concerns. Everyone knew that if they needed help, he was available by phone or in person at the local coffee shop. His diligent service to the membership and many years of experience will be greatly missed.”
Nettles, who joined the board in 1987, represented members in southern Payne and northern Lincoln counties. Nettles achieved the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and Director Gold certifications from the National Rural Raymond Nettles Electric Cooperative Nettles is retired and Association. In addition to his role enjoys traveling, fishing and camping. on the Central board, Nettles has also He and his wife Florence have two been on the Oklahoma Association children, 12 grandchildren and nine of Electric Cooperative and KAMO great grandchildren. Power boards.
Based on a random survey, 97% of members support Central offering high-speed internet.
97% of surveyed members said highspeed internet was absolutely necessary to quality of life in the area. According to a 2018 Purdue University study, every $1 invested in rural broadband returns nearly $4.
You will also be able to sign up for phone service at the same time as internet.
Fiber will also increase system connectivity, which means increased reliability and decreased outage durations.
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MEMBERS WANT AND NEED AFFORDABLE ELECTRICITY
CO-OP MONTH FILL-IN-THE-BLANK October is National Co-op Month
Complete the fill-in-the-blank activity below to learn about a few ways co-ops are unique! Use the word bank if you need help.
1) Co-ops and their members work together toward a common ____________. 2) Co-ops are ____________ organizations, so they understand the communities they serve. 3) All co-ops operate according to the same set of seven cooperative ____________. 4) Concern for ____________ is the seventh cooperative principle. 5) Co-ops don’t have customers; we have ____________. 6) Co-ops are ____________ by the members they serve.
Producing affordable power is a priority for Central’s generation cooperative, Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. Their mission, to provide a reliable and economical power supply, has remained constant throughout its 59-year history. AECI is owned by and provides wholesale power to six regional and 51 local electric distribution cooperative systems in Missouri, Iowa and Oklahoma that serve 2.1 million members.
LED LOCAL
GOAL PRINCIPLES
MEMBERS COMMUNITY
AECI’s commitment to reliable, responsible and affordable power requires options for generating electricity. Associated continues its time-tested strategy of maintaining a diverse portfolio of generation resources that includes coal, natural gas, wind and hydropower.
Surveys conducted by AECI and member distribution cooperatives show most members are over the age of 45 and have been a cooperative member for more than 10 years. More than 50% are categorized as middle income. As a result, members need, and expect,
A balance of generating options used to produce electricity allows AECI to do what is necessary to control costs. Whether it is using the lowest-cost electricity produced by Associated’s power plants or selling extra power off-system to bring in revenue that relieves rate pressure for members, providing affordable power is a top priority.
for sale
SERVICES
SERVICES
WANTED
8ft Offset & 18ft Springtooth, $3500. Call 918-285-0043
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
Operation Catnip Stillwater Clinics have been temporarily cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. For updates, please check our website at operationcatnip. okstate.edu or our Operation Catnip Stillwater Facebook page. You may also call 405-466-5810.
Horse figurines, especially Breyer horses from the 1950s through 1980s. Singles or collections. Also, Breyer farm animals and wildlife. Email farmgirl4752@gmail.com
Last year large round bales $30 each, this year $35. Call 918-285-0043
SERVICES
WORD BANK
affordable power to ensure their homes, farms and businesses thrive.
INSTALLATION SERVICES We install windows, fences, siding and roofing. FREE estimates. Bonded and insured. Call 405-714-5984
SUBMIT YOUR AD Submit your ad by email to editor@mycentral.coop by the 10th of each month!
Answer Key: 1) goal 2) local 3) principles 4) community 5) members 6) led
Drive-Through
It’s Annual Meeting Time! Attend a drive-through meeting to receive:
$10 BILL CREDIT
$20 MEAL CARD
ATTENDANCE GIFTS
All locations are open 3-7 p.m. Meetings are come and go. Members can only attend one location. Pre-register for additional information about the location you choose, MyCentral.coop/AnnualMeeting
Payne Co. Fairgrounds • Stillwater Logan Co. Fairgrounds • Guthrie Noble Co. Fairgrounds • Perry Lincoln Co. Fairgrounds • Chandler