January 2005 Articles
Putting
People First
By Robert Kolling
President & CEO
After nearly a decade of turmoil and experimentation
in the electric utility industry, when some industry analysts
actually questioned whether the Co-op sector would survive, other
utilities have begun to realize what most Co-ops understood from
the very start: that profits might be nice, technology might be
nice, but in the end, it’s satisfying the customer that
makes all the difference. That’s what sets Co-ops apart
from other utilities. It’s our culture of service. A culture
based upon the belief that we should do more than simply produce,
transmit and distribute electrons. Every utility does that. The
Co-op difference boils down to Putting People First.
It is, I believe, the heart of the Cooperative business culture.
If you take all the electric utility achievements of Co-ops and
combine them with the Co-op culture of Putting People First, the
combined entity is greater than the physical sum of the electric
system components. Maybe that’s why we often refer to the
electric Cooperative network as a “Movement” or a
“Program.”
Our unity of purpose and our commitment to Put People First inspires
member and employee loyalty and commitment. But Putting People
First not only is a cultural ideal - it’s also a great business
strategy.
This past summer, Business Week released its Top-50 roster of
best performing companies in America. “The companies on
this year’s list,” the editors noted, “rose
above their rivals by learning to think like their customers,
by understanding what makes their customers tick. These companies
stand out for their endless quest to serve their customers better.”
While no electric Cooperatives made that top-50 list, I submit
that every Co-op could fit Business Week’s description of
a winning company. Co-ops have learned to Put People First - to
put consumers, members and employees first above all else.
When people see who Co-ops are and compare them with other businesses,
they find something in Co-ops that resonates in their hearts.
The honesty, integrity, and service orientation of a Co-op offer
an irresistible appeal at a time when people are looking for businesses
that are authentic. Putting People First refers not only to members,
but also to the people at the Co-op - the people who every single
day focus on the owners of the Co-op.
I’m proud that, while other utilities were slashing their
headcounts during the period of industry turmoil, Co-ops did no
such thing. The result? Co-op employees provide a high level of
service. The loyalty engendered by providing employees with the
security needed to thrive always will rebound and amplify our
message and our values. As Co-ops look to the future, specific
long-term strategies will depend on each Co-op’s unique
circumstances. But the very best strategies will stay true to
our culture that has succeeded so well - the culture of Putting
People First.
Top
New Technology: Experimental Wave Farm Generates Power
Although the word "Seadog" conjures up images of
a racing yacht, at Texas A & M it's the name of wave-pump technology
that recently showed the power of ocean waves can be harnessed
to generate electricity, much like electricity-generating wind
farms. Minnesota-based company Independent Natural Resources Inc.
(INRI) conducted the experiment in a wave tank at Texas A & M
University's Offshore Technology Research Center in December 2003.
The test results of the most recent experiment validate the results
of several years of concepts and planning.
"Going forward, we're seeking actual ocean environments where
we can place a wave farm test field involving either 14 or 200
Seadog wave pumps. If the wave pump continues to perform as well
as our tests have shown, we believe it has the potential to be
a breakthrough for global energy production," said INRI CEO Mark
A. Thomas.
The Seadog technology captures energy from ocean swells or waves
to pump seawater to a land-based reservoir or water tower, where
the water can be returned to the ocean through hydroelectric turbines,
thereby producing inexpensive, renewable electricity.
Thomas said that because the Seadog pumps water
to a reservoir, it can store energy and generate power on demand,
even when the waves are too low to generate power. The higher
the ocean swells and the larger the area the waves cover, the
more electricity that can be generated.
Source: SolarAccess.com
Top
Security Lights Reviewed
Security - Webster’s defines it as meaning
“the state of being or feeling free from fear, anxiety,
danger or doubt.” For a small child, this may mean a nightlight
in their bedroom to scare away the monsters in their closet. For
an adult, it may be the knowledge that their driveway or house
will be well lit when they get home at night.
Your electric co-op offers you your own “nightlight”
with a security light installed at your home or business. The
Cooperative will furnish and install a security light, for a fee,
at a location mutually agreeable.
It is very important that you provide us with the pole number
on your property. Each pole is marked with an applicable pole
number, which allows our linemen to locate, install, and service
security lights as well as other necessary line work. This will
help us to verify and confirm the exact location you desire for
your security light. We will make the necessary connections and
furnish electricity for the light. The standard 90-watt light
is controlled by a photoelectric cell, which energizes the unit.
There are other options for lighting (i.e 250 & 400 watt area
lights); please call our office for details.
We will also maintain the light and replace the lamp if necessary
when the member that is billed for the security light notifies
us. When notifying us of service, again, please provide us with
the pole number. Service will be performed as soon as possible
(e.g., next service call in the area), but note that service will
not be performed after normal co-op hours.
If you are interested in having a security light installed at
your home or residence please call our office at 973-875-5101
to obtain an agreement. Our agreement states what we will provide,
the fee associated with the light, what the member’s responsibilities
are, and the length of the agreement. The application will then
be reviewed by our staking engineer to assure feasibility, and
if agreeable, will be installed by the cooperative.
Please note, if the security light is damage due to negligence
or repeated vandalism, that a charge for repair may apply.
Currently, a monthly fee of $7.30 will be billed to your account
if there is an existing utility pole. If a pole is not available,
the charge is $13.48 per month for 24 months. Thereafter, the
current rate for just the light will be charged. These fees include
all applicable New Jersey taxes.
Something for consideration is how your light is going to affect
your neighbors. If installing your light in a more populated area,
you may want to request a shield be placed on the light to prevent
it from bothering your neighbors. Only the person responsible
for the monthly payment of the light can request the shield.
If you have any further questions, please call or email our office.
Top
Cooperative
Principles: #1 Voluntary & Open Membership
By Jaci Teune
Marketing Manager
The seven Cooperative Principles are the guidelines
for a way of doing business that moves the customer to the level
of owner and places the co-op at service to the local community
instead of far off investors. Over the next several months we
will be highlighting the seven principles and explaining how they
effect the way in which your cooperative operates.
Voluntary and Open Membership
In the pure sense of the words, Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative
is hindered by territorial boundaries that prevent us from adhering
to this principle. State regulators long ago setup where each
electric utility could and couldn’t serve. There wouldn’t
be any repetitive lines strung throughout the countryside or city.
Where you live would dictate who is your distribution power supplier.
As an electric cooperative, though, we are a voluntary organization,
which is open to all persons able to use our services and willing
to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender,
social, racial, political or religious discrimination. Wow, that’s
a huge responsibility! But everyday over 11,000 member-owners
of Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative do just that and have been
doing this for almost 70 years.
When Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative was formed in 1937, it
was formed by a group of farmers, business people, homeowners
and just everyday working people who wanted a better life for
themselves and their neighbors. They joined together voluntarily
and without compromise to bring this wonderful thing we call electricity
to rural Sussex County. Their dedication to the task stands true
today as seen by our continued operation through the power crisiss
of the 1970’s and 2000’s, power outages, natural disasters,
and changing regulatory environments. We are still here providing
you with affordable, reliable electric energy.
The
Seven Cooperative Principles
Top
News & Events
This section will be new for our monthly newsletter “Currents.”
We will be listing upcoming activities and interests for local
clubs, schools and organizations. If you would like to list your
clubs and/or organization event you can call, stop by or even
e-mail us with the information. Currents is published monthly,
all submissions must be to SREC by the 10th of the prior month
of the event. E-mail to: info@sussexrec.com,
we reserve the right to edit or refuse any requests.
Wantage/ Sussex/ Beemerville
Beemerville Cookbook On Sale Now
The second edition of the Beemerville cookbook is now available
from the Beemerville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. It contains
recipes from members, friends, and neighbors in the Beemerville
area. Cost is $8. Checks may be sent to: Beemerville Fire Dept.
Ladies Auxiliary, 227 Rt. 519, Wantage NJ 07461. For more information
please call 875-6875 or 948-6191.
Spring Soccer Signups - at Sussex Fire House: January
22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. February 12 from 1-3 p.m. First time
players must provide a COPY of their birth certificate with registration
form. To participate, a child must be five (5) years of age by
April 15 for the spring season and cannot play on any traveling
team during the season. Registration fees are: $40 first child,
$30 second and third child, $25 fourth child. Coaches are needed
in all divisions.
Firemen’s Bingo - Bingo will be played every Sunday
evening at the Beemerville Fire Hall. Doors open at 5 p.m. Bingo
starts at 6:15. Refreshments available. For more information please
call 875-2972.
Flea Market - Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 3
p.m. at the Elks Lodge. Space rental is $10 for one day, $15 for
both days. For more information call the Sussex Elks @ 973-875-3990.
Friday Night Dinner Program - to benefit local families
in the Sussex-Wantage area will be held Fridays at the Sussex
Elks Lodge from 6 to 8 p.m. Dinner will include a chef-prepared,
full-course dinner with dessert. Cost is $6. A lighter, grill
menu will also be available, as well as a kids menu.
The Friday Night Dinner Program was a major fundraiser for the
more than $20,000 in cash and services several local families
received from the Sussex Elks last year. For more information,
please contact the Lodge at 973-875-3990.
Vernon Township
Disposal of Christmas Trees - Vernon Township Residents
will have the opportunity to drop off their Christmas trees (not
artificial trees) at the Vernon Recycling Center during the normal
Saturday recycling hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on January 8, 15,
and 22. All decorations, tree stands, and lights should be removed
before dropping trees off.
Eye Care Presentation - January 11th - Dr. Jeffrey Liegner,
Ophthalmologist, will speak at the Vernon Senior Center on January
11, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. on the subject of “How Important Your
Eye Care Is.” After his presentation he will be happy to
answer any questions attendees may have. Refreshments will be
served. All are welcome.
Blood Pressure Screening - Various Dates - Vernon Township
Health Department conducts a free Blood Pressure Screening every
month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The
screening is open to all Vernon residents. No appointment is necessary,
but a phone call to the Health Department on that morning is advised.
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