Northland Connection: November 2022

November 2022 | Volume 84 | Issue 11

Outsiders Spread Misinformation on Co-ops

From the General Manager

You may have recently received a survey in the mail about electric cooperatives from Renew Missouri, a renewable energy lobbying organization. We aren’t sure what they are after, but we did not send it. This survey and other unsolicited outreach to co-op members across the state shows a basic disregard for the way electric cooperatives operate and the relationships we have with members.

This lobbying group is not motivated by your best interests. Since day one, those who use our services have been more than customers. They are members and owners of their electric cooperative. That’s why the actions of this group that claims to be working on behalf of Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative members is so disturbing.

For more than 80 years our members have participated in an annual democratic election to elect their representatives on the co-op’s board of directors. This is the correct governance for an electric cooperative. Decisions that are made in the board room apply to everyone who uses its service, including those who make the decisions. And those decisions are made for the benefit of all members, not just a few. As a member of Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, you already have input into how the cooperative does business. You don’t need outside interference in the process. You are welcome to reach out to us at any time with questions or concerns about your cooperative.

Our track record in renewable energy and efficiency speaks for itself. For years, Platte-Clay has provided energy efficiency rebates, energy audits and guidance to help members conserve energy every day.

Our track record in renewable energy and efficiency speaks for itself. For years, Platte-Clay has provided energy efficiency rebates, energy audits and guidance to help members conserve energy every day. Missouri’s electric cooperatives have worked with members across the entire state to lower their electric bills through rebates on energy efficient appliances and have saved enough energy over the life of the appliances to power a city the size of Springfield.

We regularly work with members who want to put solar on their homes. We are transparent and proactive with our members, providing information to help them make smart energy choices. We have extensive solar information and tools on our website for members who are considering solar. We even provide a community solar option for those members who want solar energy without the hassle of installing or maintaining it themselves. We invest time and resources every day into working through every solar inquiry to make sure our members are getting what they think they are getting.

We don’t like bullies who try to confuse or mislead our members. Renew Missouri has an agenda that doesn’t take into consideration the unique needs of our community. Your electric cooperative is deeply embedded in the communities it serves. We know the challenges you face. We work hard to improve the quality of life for our members. They don’t.

Don’t listen to outsiders who think they have a better idea on how to run your electric cooperative. If you have questions, feel free to give me a call. Because when it comes to an electric cooperative, we are all better together.

Board of Directors Prepares For The Future

Board President’s Column

As a PCEC Board of Directors member for 31 years, I’m amazed at the progress the co-op has experienced during this time. When I first got on the board, I remember the great celebration we had breaking 10,000 meters. Boy, we sure thought we were a big co-op back then.

Now, we are sitting at 25,000 meters plus, and it’s amazing the new demographics of members we’ve been able to bring on. We have members who have gotten off of investor-owned utility lines and come to our co-op lines, and we try to show them a big difference. And there is a big difference. We, the members, have part ownership in our utility.

We elect a board of directors through democratic elections, and they are responsible for the governance of the co-op. Members have a seat at the decision-making table.

While so much has improved and grown over the years, the responsibilities of the board have grown, too. We didn’t use to have so many outside changes and pressures. For example, not too long ago, there wasn’t such a thing as renewables. I would have said, “What in the world are you talking about?” It was unheard of.

The current board has to navigate things past directors simply didn’t have to deal with. So many broader decisions across a wide variety of topics. We rely highly on the information staff helps provide, but with the information we ultimately have to be the decision makers and determine what’s best for our co-op’s future.

This is why board member training and development has become so vital. Our board needs more knowledge than ever to help make the best decisions for consumer-members. Thankfully, the state and national cooperative network is very strong and is dedicated to developing strong co-op board leaders.

This summer, fellow board members Kim Goepferich, Theresa Wren and I had the opportunity to attend specialized board training through National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Kim completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director program, and I completed the Director Gold Credential Program. These certifications equip board members with training in co-op management principles and practices through the completion of a series of in-depth workshops.

Beyond training, our board has committed to strategic planning every three years as a way to help create long term goals for senior management and measure results.

In September, the nine board members along with the senior management team participated in a two-day strategic planning session. This was a wonderful opportunity to take a deep dive into the opportunities and challenges ahead.

I’m so excited to have a full board again. We have gotten new directors on who are dynamic and bringing new backgrounds and ideas to the table. Our system is in good shape. And financially we’re sound. The management staff and the board are working as a team, and we’ve been able to budget money efficiently to keep the co-op strong.

I’ve got a great feeling about the future of the co-op. I believe we are ready for the future. And I’m looking forward to what’s next.

Members Enjoy Good Food And Company

PCEC held two member appreciation events in October: a fish fry in Platte City on Oct. 7 and a pancakes in the park at Tryst Falls in Excelsior Springs on Oct. 12. Member feedback was so positive that we hope to continue to offer more events in the future. Click here to watch a video with highlights from the fish fry.

Unclaimed Capital Credits Notice

Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative’s annual list of unclaimed capital credits has been published on the co-op’s website at www.PCEC.coop/CC.

If your name is on the list and you are a current or former Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative member, please call our office at (816) 628-3121 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You will be required to verify your membership to process your capital credit check.

PLEASE NOTE: PCEC cannot give out a capital credit check to anyone whose name is not on the account.

3 steps to claim capital credits

1. Visit www.pcec.coop/cc
2. Click on green “unclaimed credits” button
3. If your name is on the list call (816) 628-3121

Friday, Dec. 2 • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Chili Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Join us on Dec. 2 at the Platte-Clay offices in Kearney or Platte City for our Holiday Open House. We will serve our famous chili for free between 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. with holiday treats available all day.

To assist those in need in our community, please bring a donation of gently-used or new coats and nonperishable foods. We will continue to collect these throughout December.

PCEC Kearney Headquarters:
1000 W. 92 Highway, Kearney, MO

PCEC Platte City District Office:
15055 Bethel Road, Platte City, MO 64079

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.