Visit us on the internet at: www.vvec.com FEBRUARY 2017


Ownership matters By Adam Schwartz, NRECA


If you receive electric power


from Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative, you are not a cus- tomer, you are a member-owner of the cooperative. You may not think too often about this owner- ship role, but it’s something to take pride in.


Studies have shown that com- munities where owners occupy the majority of homes are more successful academically, are more physically fit and have a stronger sense of community. While owning a home may not be possible or desirable for every- one, the point is that ownership matters. It seems to make sense that we treat things we own with greater care.


Locally based cooperatives have a special bond and obliga- tion to be an integral part of our community. VVEC understands that you can’t sell electricity to a business that has closed its doors, or to people who have left the community because there are not enough local opportunities. Electricity is a critical need, but it takes more than poles, wires and kilowatt-hours to make a com- munity.


VVEC regularly supports our neighbors through initiatives like our Adopt-A-School and Rural Fire Department grant programs,


Published for the members of Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative A supplement to Oklahoma Living


VVEC’s linemen, along with the rest of the co-op’s employees, are committed to serving you, our member-owners. Photo by Randy Riddle


which help educate our youth and make our communities safer places to live (see Page 3 for more information). Your co-op invests in youth through oppor- tunities like YouthPower Energy Camp, Washington D.C. Youth Tour and contributes to local 4-H and FFA programs. In addition, VVEC employees volunteer in the community, at events like Okla- homa’s Special Olympics. We are owners of our co-op, and in a real sense, we are own- ers of our community. Our com- munity is strong. Think about


how much greater it can be when we work cooperatively to tackle our future challenges. If we act like owners on a consistent ba- sis, we will put even more care and attention into our community, and we will look locally for solu- tions. Finding local solutions can help keep money—and people— right here in our community. We all have a role to play. As your local electric cooperative, we promise to do our part for the community. As the owners of VVEC, we welcome your active participation.


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