November 2020 | Volume 82 | Issue 11
PCEC Blood Drive Sees Another Successful Year For Donations
Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative held its annual blood drive in October in coordination with the Community Blood Center of Kansas City.
Extra precautions were put in place this year to keep staff and donors safe from COVID-19. The additional measures included spaced out time slots, temperature screenings, mask requirements and the use of mobile units in the coop’s parking lot.
In total, 85 units of blood were collected through the drive with 17 individuals being first time donors. The donations will impact the lives of over 200 medical patients throughout the region.
The need for blood is especially urgent this year due to many blood drives being cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Blood Center reports that 4.5 million Americans will need a blood transfusion this year. On average, every two seconds someone in the United States will need a blood donation.
“Concern for Community” is one of Platte-Clay’s guiding principles as a cooperative, and this event offers a unique chance to give back and make a difference.
All presenting donors were given stainless steel PCEC food chopping tools and two consumer-members, Linda Miller and Brian Sparks, won the random drawing for Platte-Clay Fuels gift cards.
Updating Technology to Better Serve Platte-Clay Members
Dave Deihl, General Manager
From the General Manager
On October 1, Platte-Clay upgraded our online billing system to a new platform that gives consumer-members better access to information about their account with the cooperative. This change is a positive one that has been long overdue and we believe it will empower members to more easily manage their accounts.
As an electric cooperative, our somewhat unique business model often requires creative solutions to technological challenges. Most projects we work on involve a variety of partners who we rely on to make our systems work together smoothly. As with our online billing change, sometimes those transitions result in rare glitches that can be frustrating to members.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we have worked to iron out any bumps in the road as it relates to the new billing system. In the long run, this tool will have a positive impact on our membership and help move us even further into the digital age.
If you still have not accessed your online billing account since October 1, please know that you will be required to complete a quick and easy re-registration process using your account and member numbers the next time you log in.
If you have any questions at all about the new billing portal or need assistance getting registered, please contact our Member Services team at 816-628-3121 or memberservice@pcec.coop. Our Member Service Representatives will be happy to assist you with accessing your account.
Team PCEC continues to work on additional tools and resources for members to understand their bills and energy usage. In the coming months, we’ll be rolling out an exciting new platform that will help guide members toward ways to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient. This platform will tie into our new billing system and provide members with a seamless look at multiple aspects of their accounts.
We know requiring an additional step for members to access their account through the new system for the first time came as an inconvenience to some, but we appreciate everyone completing the registration process so that we can deliver a better way to understand bills. We are always looking for new ways to improve our service and believe this will play an important role in achieving that goal.
Dedication to Public Safety Extends Beyond Pandemic
Debi Koechner
Board President
Although thinking about personal protective equipment and safety procedures feels unusual to most, it’s something we are well-accustomed to at Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative.
Pandemic or not, the safety of PCEC members and employees is always a top priority for the cooperative’s Board of Directors. Directors receive safety updates from the Safety Director at every single board meeting, ask questions and support acquiring new equipment and training as needed.
In a high risk industry like ours, it’s important for procedures to be properly followed at all times. Employees train, re-train and receive certifications on a frequent basis so that proper protocols become first nature out in the field. Employees also closely monitor the safety of our equipment. We ensure our equipment is in safe operating order and that safety policies are followed as intended. One aspect of that effort is encouraging members to keep areas under power lines clear of hazards that could be dangerous to lineworkers.
These investments have played a major role in maintaining our streak of no-lost time accidents and contributed to our insurance carrier giving the co-op the lowest possible risk factor for workers compensation. These are great safety achievements that reflect a strong culture of doing things the right way at PCEC.
The co-op’s commitment to safety extends out into the community as well. Prior to the pandemic, the co-op would often send employees to local schools and community groups to talk about the importance of electrical safety. Team PCEC is now working to create a virtual, pre-recorded version of this presentation so we can continue to educate members on this important topic.
Another safety consideration currently being examined by the Board of Directors is how to potentially adapt the cooperative’s annual meeting and voting by-laws to allow for more virtual participation. Updating our by-laws in this way would ensure continued member participation in the governance of the co-op even in times of public health uncertainty.
As President of PCEC’s Board of Directors I can tell you our commitment to safety runs deep. Even after COVID-19 has passed, Platte-Clay’s dedication to the well being of all those involved with the co-op will remain as strong as ever.
Platte-Clay Moments
Community Blood Center buses line up outside Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative’s Kearney headquarters for the co-op’s annual blood drive.
Left: A Platte-Clay lineman climbs an electrical pole to examine and repair damage during Hurricane restoration mutual aid. Right: A bucket truck helps a PCEC employee get in position to conduct power line repair during Hurricane restoration mutual aid.
Paying Your Bill Online is Now Easier
We recently upgraded our online billing system to give members better access to their information. Visit www.PCEC.coop to see it in action! First time users will need to re-register.
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.