inside your co•op


A monthly newsletter of Choctaw Electric Cooperative.


BOARD OF TRUSTEES


George Burns, President Joe M. Silk, Vice President


James Woods


Mike Brewer, Secretary Treasurer Bill Woolsey


Danny Antwine Norman Ranger Marcia Wright


Becky Franks MANAGEMENT AND STAFF


Kenneth Gates, Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Smith, Executive Assistant Jia Johnson, Director of Public Relations Craig McBrain, Chief Financial Officer Jim Malone, Director of Operations Darrell Ward, System Services Manager


HUGO OFFICE PO Box 758 Hwy 93 North


Hugo, Oklahoma 74743


Toll Free: (800) 780-6486 Local: (580) 326-6486 FAX (580) 326-2492


Monday-Friday • 8 am - 5 pm IDABEL OFFICE


2114 SE Washington Idabel, Oklahoma 74745


Toll Free: (800) 780-6486 Local: (580) 286-7155


Monday-Friday • 8 am - 5 pm


ANTLERS OFFICE HC 67 Box 62


Antlers, Oklahoma 74523 (One mile east of Antlers)


Toll Free: (800) 780-6486 Local: (580) 298-3201


Monday-Friday • 8 am - 5 pm On the Web:


www.choctawelectric.coop


24 Hour Outage Hotline 800-780-6486


2 | OCTOBER 2016 | CEC Inside Your Co-op FIND IT ONLINE


Why We Celebrate Cooperatives MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE


E


very October, cooperatives from all sectors across


the country celebrate National Cooperative Month. The purpose of this celebration is to recognize the cooperative difference and remind you, the members of the co-op, about Choctaw Electric Cooperative's purpose.


I must admit I am somewhat cynical of the many different “days” and “months” that are celebrated throughout the year, but National Cooperative Month is truly an opportunity to celebrate.


BY KENNETH GATES cHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


In the U.S., there are more than 29,000 co-ops serving in every single industry. Many co-ops from different sectors join together during the month of October to educate members in the community about cooperatives.


There are more co-ops in Oklahoma than most people realize. Ace Hardware, True Value, and Do It Best Hardware are cooperatives. We also have numerous


When co-ops recognize National Cooperative Month, we inform others about our unique business model, which is based on the Seven Cooperative Principles: Voluntary and Open Membership; Democratic Member Control; Members’ Economic Participation; Autonomy and Independence; Education, Training and Information; Cooperation Among Cooperatives; and Concern for Community.


For co-op employees and members that are familiar with the principles, the month of October is a great opportunity to renew our connection to each other and the purpose of our co-op. CEC's mission is to continuously improve customer service and satisfaction by providing members with high quality electric and related services at fair and equitable rates.


credit unions, farmer's co-ops, food co-ops and more. Co-ops are even represented on the shelves at our local grocery stores, such as Land O’Lakes, Welch’s, Organic Valley, Cabot Cheese, Sunkist, and Ocean Spray.


According to the latest data, more than 130 million people belong to a co-op in the U.S. alone, and co-ops employ more than 2 million Americans.


This speaks to the heart of why we must take every opportunity to celebrate and teach others about the cooperative business model. It works! I hope you will celebrate your co-op by being an active member.


Lucky Account # 13667103 ($25 Bill Credit). If the account number


above belongs to you, contact your co-op by the 10th of the month to claim your $25 bill credit. Call Jennifer Boling at 800-780-6486, ext. 207, or contact CEC via email or in person.


■ Connect with Savings. Choctaw Electric's Co-op Connections


card provides members with multiple ways to save money. Use it at the pharmacy to save on prescriptions, dental visits, eyeglasses and more. It's also good for savings at hundreds of participating retails stores, restaurants and hotels. Find out how you can save with Co-op


Connections at www.choctawelectric.coop. Click on Member Services, and then Co-op Connections.


CEC


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144