June 2014 | Volume 76 | Issue 6
Getting ready for iGen
The Millenials are the group of U.S. individuals born, generally, between 1980 and 2000, numbering about 80 million. Their demographic straddles the century mark, and some researchers call them the “digital generation.” They spend about $600 billion a year, and researchers also project that by 2020 this group will be a $1.4 trillion American economic force.
While they are setting social, economic, digital and fashion trends, like their parents, Generation Y, 1977 to 1995; Generation X, born 1965 to 1979; and their grandparents, the Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, they look for good value in purchases. Although there are significant differences among the generations, there also are similarities among the distinct generations.
Communications, technology and interactions with businesses have changed dramatically during each generation.
Movies on demand, for instance, were only a dream for the Boomers and Gen X; today it’s everything from picking up a DVD at a local Redbox, swiping a debit or credit card, so no actual cash changes hand, hence no need for a store and cashier, to plugging in a USB device like Roku or subscribing to a service such as Netflix for $8 a month.
Your co-op isn’t immune to both the opportunities and challenges that technology brings.
Platte-Clay has had a web site since 1998 and as with all things technical, has updated the site.
The latest update is called “responsive design,” which formats the site to fit on a variety of sizes of screens— from smart phones to large desktop monitors and everything in between.
The secure, online billing capability allows members to review their account and to pay bills online, a feature provided by most retail operators.
Paperless billing using the web site is another service that your co-op provides that helps families manage their time and finances.
A combination of online services and one of the easy to use accounting services like Quicken will let families quickly and easily pay their bills.
Co-op billing also has changed over the years. Members of the Greatest Generation, those who were adults during WWII and who were among Platte-Clay’s first members, read their own meters. In 2004 new meters started sending in data for all.
Millenials are tech dependent, according to Jason Dorsey of the Center for Generational Kinetics, a research trend organization. “We often don’t know how technology actually works, he said, “only that we can’t live without it.”
While social researchers continue to sort out a commonly- accepted name for those born after the year 2000, the names iGen and Gen Z are taking hold. Dorsey likes the “i” generation for iPad, iPod, iPhone.
This younger generation, iGen, has a different relationship with mobile.
Mobile and social are their life; it is where all of their interactions take place. They text one another across the table, rather than talking to one another across the table.
Sound familiar? Your co-op’s services now span across the generations and respond to what they expect. And we’ll be there, delivering whatever it takes for Platte-Clay to serve its iGen members.
There’s nothing like a co-op meeting
Mike Torres
From the CEO
There’s nothing quite like a rural electric cooperative annual meeting. It is a remarkable gathering of families and friends of all ages. It’s a great mix of business and fun, especially for the younger set.
We had a five-week-old baby in attendance and another baby won one of the quad runners—prizes for children 0-5. The entire business crowd went “awwww” when her dad came up with her leaning on his shoulder to claim the quad runner.
We elected, by acclaim, co-op members Jerry Hagg to represent the West District, Gary Shanks to represent the South District and Debi Stewart to represent the North District.
They ran unopposed.
In the Board organizational meeting immediately following the annual meeting, Dennis Fulk (W) was elected president; Gary Shanks (S), vice president; Kendall Davis (S), treasurer; and Debi Stewart (N), secretary.
It’s easy to see why the business crowd was taken with the youngest prize winner at the annual meeting. Samantha Keim (R) shown on her Disney quad runner with Dad holding her up.
I am pleased to tell you here that your co-op is on firm financial footing and that reliability is strong and continues to improve.
A member made a motion, which carried, requesting space in the Northland Connection to include member opinions. We’re working on the guidelines now and will share them with all once they’re finalized.
Your annual meeting provided an excellent review of how a rural electric cooperative operates—with member and community participation.
This year, in addition to the carnival for the children, we welcomed area Chambers of Commerce, tourism groups, the University of Missouri Extension, county park representatives, community resource groups, Rural Missouri magazine and Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI), your co-op’s power provider. We appreciate these organizations being a part of your cooperative’s annual meeting.
Thanks to all of the members who took time from their schedules to participate in the 2014 annual meeting, it was nice seeing you in attendance.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me, miket@pcec.coop
BOSS Performance Diesel™ now available at Platte-Clay Fuels
The Platte-Clay Fuel stations in Platte City and Kearney now are selling BOSS Performance Diesel™ in the diesel islands.
The cleaner-burning diesel reduces emissions and, according to MFA Oil, provides these benefits:
- Cleans and prevents nozzle and IDID injector deposits to maximize horsepower and fuel economy.
- Provides DW-10 clean up and keep-clean performance, along with traditional L-10 superior cleanup and keep-clean performance.
- Maximizes fuel filter life by preventing black soot/sludge formation.
- Delivers superior low-temperature operability by providing CFPP protection.
- Offers a higher cetane number (typically 49) for quicker start ups, increased power and smoother operation.
- Increases lubricity to provide superior wear protection on the fuel injection system and fuel pump. Typically increases lubricity by 15 percent, exceeding both ATM and OEM’s lubricity requirements.
- Provides corrosion protection throughout the entire fuel system.
- Improves thermal and oxidative stability for increased storage life, especially in above-ground storage tanks.
- Contains multi-staged water control chemistry and deicer to minimize issues associated with water in storage tanks and filter/ fuel line freezing.
- Improves fuel conductivity by reducing static buildup for safe fuel handling.
Your Co-op, Your Community
Big winners – free electric service
Stacey Winkelbauer – Kearney
Daniel Steele – Excelsior Springs
Shannon Thomas – Orrick
Above Left, Platte-Clay distributed $1.3 million in capital credit checks to co-op members. Checks were mailed to those who didn’t attend the Annual Meeting. Above Right, 20 members got $75 fuel cards during the time allowed for Board nominations from the floor.
The annual meeting provided a night on the town for all generations of Platte-Clay members. In addition to fun and games, members voted on Board of Director representatives and learned about the co-op’s financial status and reliability, both excellent.
Living the dream in Kearney
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Lissi Staab owns the new yoga studio, Breathe Deep (635-3435) in Kearney. The building at 108 W. Washington formerly housed the quilt shop.
Lissi Staab has been practicing yoga for many years. Her new yoga studio is in an old Kearney building, built in 1911 and will teach techniques developed more than 5,000 years ago. Yoga predates written history, according to the American Yoga Assoc.
The Platte-Clay member looks like a woman who practices yoga. Tall, lean, centered and calm, she could be a ballet dancer. Classes will be geared to the very beginners through experienced students. Because yoga isn’t strenuous, it’s suitable for adults and teens over 16, according to the Yoga Association. “Yoga is something I want to share,” Lissi said. The nearest studio, she added, is in Liberty.
Breathe Deep in Kearney is an extension of her primarily wholesale and online business, Breathe Deep Naturals www.breathedeepnaturals.com.
For the past five years, Lissi has been making personal products and selling them mostly wholesale to high end retailers and yoga studios in the Midwest. Her all-natural products include glycerin soaps, bath blooms, mists and sprays, sea salt and organic sugar body scrubs, soy candles, essential oils, massage oils, hand sanitizers, deodorant and, especially relevant now: natural bug spray. “I use trusted suppliers who provide organic and wild crafted fair trade essential oils,” she said.
The building at 108 W. Washington (64060) will allow her to expand her products operation while making yoga more available in the Northland. “The studio and my products are a natural fit, they complement each other,” she said.
Larry Reid, a Platte-Clay member who has practiced yoga as a way of managing PTSD since returning from Vietnam, will be one of the instructors. “Yoga has many benefits, and it also stopped my anxiety attacks,” he said. He became a certified yoga instructor and now practices every day. “If I feel myself getting anxious, I do yoga.”
“I met Larry when he was teaching in Liberty,” said Lissi, “and found him to be a great instructor. So when I mentioned that I was going to open a studio in Kearney several people told me to be sure to contact him.” Larry’s yoga fans will be able to work with him beginning the first of June.
Lissi has big plans for the Kearney facility.
There’s space for a garden behind the building. There’s lots of wall space for artwork and showings. There’s parking in front of the building and on the East side. She has an office with morning light, tucked away, but close to everything. “I’m even thinking about a free lending library,” she said. “People could come in and have a cup of tea and read a book here rather than sit at home alone.”
The new business has hired two college students for the front desk and several instructors.
“It’s been my dream for a long time, but I didn’t feel that it was a fit for Kearney then. But once this building became available, it was perfect space for my products, retail and yoga. I think the time is right.”
There’s an app for that
Fortunately the recent tornado that ripped through Orrick didn’t harm anyone. Either it or the winds associated with it took down four of Platte- Clay’s poles, but by 2 a.m., co-op members had their service restored.
But it brings home the need to be prepared and able to act if we find our families and communities trying to cope with a major disaster.
Here are some apps and suggestions from FEMA’s (Federal Emergency Management Agency) National Preparedness Community. These apps, for smart phones and Droids, are free.
American Red Cross Mobile Apps: There are multiple apps designed to get you information for specific disaster types and emergency scenarios. From floods, to hurricanes, wildfires, general first aid and pets, the Red Cross provides multiple offline capable apps to assist in time of need. Disaster Alert provides real-time listing and a map of active disasters occurring around the globe. For iPhone and Android.
Dropbox is an online, cloud storage service that offers a mobile app.It is a free service that lets customers access your their photos, docs and videos from anywhere, including via the mobile app, and share them easily. Dropbox is especially useful for storing digital copies of important documents in the event of home fires, burglary or natural disasters.
Flashlight-4 uses the iPhone white screen as a flashlight. This app jumped to 3rd from 65th for free apps in the app store download rankings following the recent earthquake off the east coast of Japan. See also Tiny Flashlight for Android.
HealthMap’s Outbreaks Near Me was developed by a surveillance team from MIT and Children’s Hospital in Boston in order to try to gain more current information on the H1N1 outbreak at the time. App and web site, www.healthmap.org, aggregates a range of data sources, including a user-generated crowd-sourcing feature to track outbreaks. Users can search for outbreaks based on location or disease. For iPhone and Android.
ReadyNova was developed to assist residents and business owners in developing a Family Emergency Plan or a Business Emergency Plan and follows basic and accepted emergency management practices.
If you find other apps that would be useful, please post on the co-op Facebook page.
Classified Ads
To submit an ad, complete the ad form, use the website, pcec.coop, or send in a brief nine-word description of the item you wish to advertise no later than the 15th of the month, to Platte-Clay Electric Co-op, PO Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060, Attn. Northland Connection.
Ads run on a first come, first served basis.
Ads should be about 10 words or less and include a phone number. Please indicate the category, i.e., for sale, giveaway, wanted, and the topic, such as car or boat.
Please type or print your ad. If your ad does not appear, you may resubmit it for the next available edition. Ads are for Platte-Clay members only. No business or commercial ads. If your ad is time sensitive, we suggest using one of the local ad-supported publications.
Members may pick up an ad form at the PCEC office in Kearney or Platte City or use the website, pcec.coop. Click on Classified Ad or send directly to mail@pcec.coop
The area code is 816 unless otherwise noted.
For Sale
Chain Saw. Homelite 16”. Brand new, still in box. 781-1580.
Tractor: ‘90 Case IH 53 hp. diesel, ROPs and steel canopy. 2112 hrs. 628-5808.
Services
I teach Chinese to children and adults in the local library, $30-$45 an hour. 686-9638.
Piano tuning & repair. 721-3966.
Carpet cleaning: 3 rooms, $110. 628-4801.
Bounce house: Castle Moonwalk, Rent for parties. 769-2931.
Tree services. Trimming, removal and stump grinding. Kearney, Ex.Springs, Lawson. 590-6977.
Free
Crib. Grandkids have outgrown it. Older, the crib has roll down sides 628-4921.
The Northland Connection is published monthly by Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc., 1000 W. 92 Highway, Kearney, MO 64060. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Northland Connection, PO Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060 or mail@pcec.coop.
Platte-Clay is an equal opportunity employer.