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CEO VIEW

Democratic Member Control

By Zac Perkins

Local, democratic member control is one of the greatest strengths of our electric cooperative. Each of the nine trustees on our board is a residential member just like you.

Trustees are elected by members to look out for the best interests of all members and to act on their behalf when making decisions. Those decisions include the cooperative’s policies, the electric rates we all pay, and the retirement of capital credits.

The universal cooperative principle of Democratic Member Control makes trustee elections possible. The ‘one member, one vote’ aspect of our cooperative is important because it means regardless of the amount of money paid to the cooperative, all members have equal voting rights in elections. This is unlike investor-owned businesses where voting rights are dependent upon shares held.

Participation is truly the lifeblood of democracy. Your involvement in the cooperative is important. I’ll see you at your district meeting. n

Join us for your district meeting

COLORADO KANSASElkhart

Cimarron County

NEW

MEXICO

TEXAS

Beaver CountyTexas

County

OKL

AH

OM

A

PerrytonHitchland

#2

#6

#9#8

Forgan

Beaver

ElmwoodHardesty Bryan’s Corner

Balko

Hough

Adams

TyroneStraight

Hooker

Texhoma

Goodwell#1 #7

#4

#5

District 1: July 31 at 6 p.m.Texhoma High School Cafeteria

District 7: August 3 at 6 p.m.Pickle Creek Event Center, Guymon

District 5: August 1 at 6 p.m.Hardesty School Auditorium

District meetings are every member’s opportunity to be involved in the process that makes this electric cooperative unique. They exemplify the cooperative principle of Democratic Member Control. TCEC has nine board districts with staggered elections for trustees. Each year, three districts have meetings to elect trustees for three-year terms. Members who meet the qualifi cations outlined in the cooperative’s bylaws are eligible to fi le for trustee candidacy by contacting TCEC at 580.652.2418 during the fi ling period. Members are invited to attend any meeting although only members whose primary meter is in the district are allowed to vote. Filing periods are:

• District 1: July 11-21, 2017Incumbent: Randy Schreiner

• District 5: July 12-22, 2017Incumbent: Joe Mayer

• District 7: July 14-24, 2017Incumbent: Shawn Martinez

Trustees of TCEC are responsible for the business and affairs of the cooperative as outlined in the bylaws. They represent the members of their district on the nine-person TCEC board. Board meetings are the fourth Friday of every month. Additional committee meetings are held as well.Visit www.tcec.coop under the ‘About’ tab to view the cooperative’s bylaws. For more information, call TCEC at 580.652.2418. n

MEETINGS FOR DISTRICTS 1, 5 AND 7 ARE TO BE HElD July 31, AuGuST 1 AND AuGuST 3, RESPECTIVEly. TAKE THIS OPPORTuNITy TO ElECT AND MEET THE TRuSTEE WHO REPRESENTS yOu ON TCEC’S BOARD.

PAGE 2 | LIVEWIRE | July 2017

Energy Effi ciency Tip of the Month During a power outage, keep

the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. If the door is kept closed, a full freezer will hold its temperature for 48 hours. A refrigerator will keep food safe for four hours. Learn more about food safety during a power outage at www.tcec.coop.

Electrical Safety Tip of the MonthConsider solar lights for outdoor

lighting. Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity that can be stored in a battery and tapped at night to make light. Check the light’s instructions to make sure your solar lights are situated to receive sufficient sunlight to recharge during the day.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy Source: USDA

Lower your bill with SmartHub

Access SmartHub through our website at www.tcec.coop or download the app to track energy use, make payments, enroll in notifications and more.

Tip No. 1: SmartHub will show your unbilled energy use, spikes when the temperature is hotter and your air conditioner is working harder or on laundry days when you’re using your electric dryer. Look for ways to use less energy and lower your bill by learning your energy use patterns.

Tip No. 2: Other local companies, like PTCI, use the same billing provider and offer SmartHub too. Your TCEC account is separate and will have its own login. You will need to register as a new user.

Tip No. 3: If you’re already using SmartHub for another company and want to switch to your TCEC account, you can do so under ‘Settings.’

Tip No. 4: After you download the SmartHub app, you can search for ‘TCEC’ by name or by location. We are listed as ‘TCEC’ in the app.

Tip No. 5: Explore all the ways you can manage your TCEC account

through SmartHub. From the app, you can:• Make a Payment• Report An Outage• Contact Us• View Energy Use• View Billing History• View Notifications• Check out TCEC Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels

Tip No. 6: Go paperless. You can elect to stop receiving a paper bill on the web version of SmartHub under ‘My Profile,’ then ‘My Information,’ then ‘Update My Printed Bill Settings.’

Tip No. 7: Currently, text and email notifications must be set up through the website version of SmartHub at tcec.smarthub.coop. It is not possible to do so through the app. Be sure to go online and enroll in notifications to monitor your account balance and more.

Tip No. 8: Phone an expert. If you have questions about SmartHub, call TCEC during regular business hours at 580.652.2418 or email us at info@tcec.coop. We’re here to help. n

The graph at left shows one homeowner’s energy use the week of May 28, 2017. The black line shows the average temperature. Here, you can see how the energy use follows the temperature.

When the energy use bar is higher than the average temperature line, examine your energy use patterns for things like laundry or additional house guests that might cause an increase.

These charts are available free to all members who register and access SmartHub.

LIVEWIRE | July 2017 | PAGE 3

Using your generator safely can prevent tragedy

8th graders represent TCEC at Energy Camp 2017Three area eighth grade students representing TCEC recently returned from the 2017 Energy Camp. The delegates were among 80 outstanding eighth graders chosen from across the state to attend the four-day camp held at Canyon Camp in Hinton, Oklahoma.Students attended sessions on the basics of cooperatives, energy, electrical safety and careers in electric cooperatives. The campers were split into seven districts representing the seven cooperative principles. The campers elected a Board of Trustees and manager to run the Coke and Candy Cooperative while at camp. Campers experienced fi rsthand what it’s like to be a lineman. They had the opportunity to put on climbing gear and climb a utility pole, ride in a bucket truck and watch a liveline demonstration about the dangers of working with high voltage lines. Other special activities included outdoor games, swimming, hiking, a trip to Celebration Station for arcade games, go-carts and pizza and a neon themed dance party. Natalie Watson from Guymon, Amy Loya from Guymon and Benjamin Hernandez from Hardesty represented TCEC at Energy Camp. Along with the campers, Hana Kimberling, TCEC communications specialist, volunteered as an Energy Camp counselor. She led a district during the four-day camp and helped teach campers about rural electric cooperatives.

The Youth Power Energy Camp is coordinated by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives.Anyone interested in learning more about TCEC leadership trips can visit www.tcec.coop. n

2017 ENERGy CAMP DElEGATES FROM lEFT TO RIGHT NATAlIE WATSON, BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ AND AMy lOyA

Generators are helpful when the power goes out, especially for an extended period of time after a storm. However, if a generator is improperly installed, it can cause harm to lineworkers or the public. This is because generators connected directly to the power grid, especially without a double throw switch, can cause backfeed. Backfeed energizes power lines that should not be energized, sending electricity in its reverse direction. This is why members are cautioned to always assume a downed powerline is live. Even if it is not sparking or buzzing, a line can kill you or any lineworkers down the line. Never attach a generator directly to your home or offi ce unless the generator has a properly installed switch because this puts you and your cooperative lineworkers at risk of electrocution. A qualifi ed electrician can properly install a generator with a double throw switch, sometimes called a transfer switch. Always notify us when you install a generator.Be sure to plug electrical appliances directly into the generator using the manufacturer’s supplied cords. Use undamaged, heavy-duty extension cords that are 3-prong grounded. Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI’s) per the manufacturer’s instructions.The three three local businesses shown at right are offering a free extended warranty on Generac generators through the Co-op Connections program. Learn more at www.tcec.coop. n

PARTICIPATING CO-OP CONNECTIONS GENERAC DEALERS

Northwest Line Construction, Hooker, Oklahoma 580.652.2443

Sims Electric, Guymon, Oklahoma 580.338.3766

EpicTouch Company, Elkhart, Kansas620.697.2111

PAGE 4 | LIVEWIRE | July 2017

CONTACT USTri-County Electric Cooperative 995 Mile 46 RoadP.O. Box 880 Hooker, Oklahoma 73945

Office Hours:8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - FridayPhone: 580-652-2418Toll Free: 800-522-3315E-mail: info@tcec.coopwww.tcec.coop

BOARD OF TRUSTEESDistrict 1 Randy SchreinerDistrict 2 Gayla JamesDistrict 3 Ronny WhiteDistrict 4 C.J. MouserDistrict 5 Joe MayerDistrict 6 Larry DunnDistrict 7 Shawn MartinezDistrict 8 Cletus CarterDistrict 9 Larry Hodges

TCEC board meetings are the fourth Friday of every month.

PAYMENT OPTIONSAutoPay (Bank or credit card draft)

Pay As You Go (Prepay)

Online Bill Pay (www.tcec.coop)

Pay by Phone IVR (844-203-6547)

Drop off Payment (Office in Hooker)

Payment Centers (Locations below)

Town Name and Address Hours Beaver Downing’s Market

216 Douglas St.7a-7pMon-Sun

Boise City

Moore’s Food 201 East Main Street

8a-9pMon-Sun

Elkhart EPICTOUCH 451 Morton St.

9a-6p, Mon-Sat

Goodwell 54 GAS N GO 227 S. Aggie Ave

6a-11pMon-Sun

Guymon Mitchell Theaters Northridge Shopping Center, 1928 N. Hwy 64

24x7

Guymon Farmer’s Country Market1902 North Academy

7a-11pMon-Sun

Guymon Mora’s Market 702 N. Main Street

8a-9pMon-Sun

Hooker TCEC Office 995 Mile 46 Road

24x7

DIGITAL EDITIONwww.ok-living.coop

Co-op Connections Texas County Farm Bureau

TCEC members who present their Co-op Connections card at Texas County Farm Bureau in Guymon for a free quote will receive one free promotional item and $5 off new membership.

“We are Oklahoma’s voice of agriculture,” said Farm Bureau agent Cory Winters.Texas County Farm Bureau in Guymon has been serving the area for over 50 years. As a part of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and with over 500 memberships in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Texas County Farm Bureau strives to provide the best insurance for its membership.Texas County Farm Bureau offers many insurance products and services including the following:

• Farm and Ranch• Home• Health• Auto and Travel• Financial Services• Safety Education

Texas County Farm Bureau is a one stop shop for locals. Members can call directly and speak with an agent without the hassle of calling a 1-800 number.Texas County Farm Bureau is committed to serving their members by meeting insurance needs and objectives.For more information, contact:

Texas County Farm Bureau121 NW 9thGuymon, Oklahoma580.338.8584

To see all discounts, visit tcec.coop and click ‘Co-op Connections’ under the ‘Community’ tab. n

TCEC MEMBERS WHO SHOW THEIR CO-OP CONNECTIONS CARD AT TEXAS COuNTy FARM BuREAu IN GuyMON FOR A FREE QuOTE WIll RECEIVE ONE FREE PROMOTIONAl ITEM AND $5 OFF NEW MEMBERSHIP

Texas County Farm Bureau Cory Winters and Cheslea Collins