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Commentary Attend your co-op’s annual meeting T


Chris Meyers General Manager, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives


here are 28 electric distribution coop- eratives serving within the state of


Oklahoma. Each has an an- nual meeting of its member- ship. On April 5th, Alfalfa Electric, Harmon Electric, and Kay Electric kick off a series of annual meetings


ending with Verdigris Valley Electric on Oct. 19th. When your local co-op invites you to at- tend its annual meeting, it is my hope that you choose to go.


There are lots of good reasons to attend. Of course, the primary purpose of the meeting is to conduct the business of the co-op. Management reports the co-op’s financial condition and shares other important business information. The busi- ness sessions are typically brief and always informa- tive, but co-op business is not the only reason I encourage you to attend. Attending these annual meetings your co-op puts on for you—the member —is the best way to get an appreciation for and un- derstanding of the cooperative difference. Nationally, electric cooperatives consistently rate


higher in customer satisfaction scores than investor- owned and municipal utilities. Electricity doesn’t come in different colors, flavors, shapes or sizes— it’s all the same. So why are cooperative members more satisfied? It has everything to do with the


T


he month of April is viewed with mixed blessings in the Propps house-


Glenn Propps President, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives


hold. While there are many joys to celebrate directly re- lated to spring, this month also brings an end to my term as president of the Oklahoma Association of


Electric Cooperatives. It has been an honor—and a blessing—for me to have served in this capacity for the last year. Your local electric cooperatives have an invalu- able resource in this association, which is widely recognized as one of the most trustworthy organiza- tions in the state. The leadership team at OAEC is both respected and trusted, two keys to success for any business. I’m privileged to have been part of this team.


You’ll notice that this edition of Oklahoma Living magazine is devoted to food and other products made in Oklahoma. While oil and gas production typically grabs a lot of headlines, there is one main- stay to our state’s economy: agriculture. Did you know that our state is a national leader


4 WWW.OK-LIVING.COOP


co-op’s connection with members and, in turn, the members’ ability to identify with the co-op. Touchstone Energy conducted its own research


and found that the difference lies in the fact that cooperative members can identify with their local co-op. This identity members have with their co-op comes from the unique opportunities we have to communicate with members and the messages we send. In our magazines and newsletters we share human interest stories featuring our own members and industry news that is either local or has an im- pact on you at the local level. Local co-op com- munications often include stories about its employees, new hires and retirements, and other local events of interest.


The annual meeting is another opportunity to communicate and, best of all—it’s live and in per- son. Member identity comes from simply knowing you have the opportunity to participate. As a mem- ber you get an invitation to attend this meeting where you vote, hear from management, your di- rectors, and see employees face to face. It reinforces the fact that you have some level of control and that the co-op requires member involvement. Your annual meeting provides an excellent op- portunity to connect with your co-op, your neigh- bors, and your community. It’s what sets us apart from other electric providers and where I believe you get the greatest appreciation for the coopera- tive difference. I hope to see you at your co-op’s annual meeting.


Oklahoma keeps growing—in many ways!


in many agricultural production categories? You may be surprised to learn the following: Oklahoma ranks fourth nationally in cattle and calf produc- tion, eighth in hog and pig production, and 12th in poultry and egg production.


When it comes to crop production, our state


ranks second nationally in canola, second in rye, and fourth in winter wheat production. We rank seventh nationally in peanut production, 17th in the amount of cotton and cotton seed produced, and—my own personal favorite—16th nationally in watermelon production!


The total production value of Oklahoma agricul- tural products—livestock, poultry and crops—was estimated to be over $5.59 billion for 2011. Does that make Oklahoma a ‘corporate farm’ state? Hardly. There are an estimated 86,500 farms in our Sooner State—fourth nationally—averaging about 406 acres each. In total, there are over 35.2 million acres of farm ground in Oklahoma, or a total of more than 55,000 square miles. Yes, while Oklahoma is a national leader in oil and gas production, we should also be proud of our agricultural heritage. It has served us well in the past, and there is no doubt that our agricultural future will keep growing!


Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives


Chris Meyers, General Manager Glenn Propps, President Joe Harris, Vice-President


Jimmy Taylor, Secretary-Treasurer Staff


Sid Sperry, Director of PR & Communications sksperry@oaec.coop


Anna Politano, Managing Editor editor@ok-living.coop


Larry Skoch, Advertising Manager lskoch@ok-living.coop


Christy Johnson, Office Manager cjohnson@oaec.coop


Kirbi Bailey, Accountant/Office Manager Asst. kbailey@oaec.coop


Hayley Leatherwood, Multimedia Specialist hleatherwood@ok-living.coop


Kaylan Watkins, Intern oklintern@gmail.com


Editorial, Advertising and General Offices


P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309 Phone (405) 478-1455


Oklahoma Living online: www.ok-living.coop Subscriptions


$3.12 per year for rural electric cooperative members.


$6.00 per year for non-members. Cooperative Members: Report change of


address to your local rural electric cooperative. Non-Cooperative Members: Send address


changes to Oklahoma Living, P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309.


Oklahoma Living (ISSN 1064-8968),


USPS 407-040, is published monthly for consumer-members of Oklahoma’s rural electric cooperatives by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, 2325 E. I-44 Service Road,


P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309. Circulation this issue: 316,365


Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Association of Electric


Cooperatives is a statewide service organization for the following electric cooperatives: Alfalfa, Arkansas Valley, Caddo, Canadian Valley,


Central Rural, Choctaw, Cimarron, Cookson Hills, Cotton, East Central Oklahoma, Harmon, Indian, KAMO Power, Kay, Kiamichi, Kiwash, Lake Region, Northeast Oklahoma, Northfork,


Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ozarks, People’s, Red River Valley, Rural, Southeastern, Southwest


Rural, Tri-County, Verdigris Valley, and Western Farmers Electric Cooperative.


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