On the Wire May Issue

To Slow the Spread of COVID-19

Concern for our communities drives everything we do at WCEC. That's why the dedicated team at WCEC is constantly evaluating and adjusting our practices and procedures related to COVID-19 to ensure our members and employees remain safe and continue to deliver the essential services you want and need.

Here are the measures we're taking to support you:

Office closures: To support social distancing efforts, WCEC's offices and Mobile Unit are closed to the public until further notice. Drive through options are available, online services continue uninterrupted at wcec.org, and our phones remain open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at (903) 763-2203. We will reopen our offices as soon as it is safe to do so.
Suspension of disconnects for non-payment: WCEC has suspended all disconnects for non-payment until further notice. If you are struggling to make payments, please notify us. We can council about more manageable payment methods & tell you about local aid resources. We want to help you avoid a more difficult period later.

Here's are things you can do to help:

Account Services Portal:
Social distancing is pushing us to find new ways to manage our daily tasks remotely. Why not manage your WCEC account remotely too? Chart your usage, pay your bill, and report issues - all from wherever you are via our website or WCEC's My WCEC app.
Update your contact details: This will help us notify you of any service interruptions or other information impacting your account. Call us or update your details on the Account Services Portal.

This public health crisis has taken a toll on all of us, but WCEC is here just as we have been for the last 82 years. We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with local leaders to ensure the future of our communities remains bright.

WCEC Board Member Lewis Young Retires

After 39 faithful years as a member of the board of directors for Wood County Electric Cooperative, Lewis Young is retiring. Young became the district 7 director in 1981, and served as the board secretary/treasurer, and as vice president of the board. District 7 encompasses parts of Van Zandt and Smith Counties.

Of his long-time service, WCEC Board President Pat Lindley said, "I have truly enjoyed the years I have spent working with Lewis. He's always contributed a good common-sense perspective to our deliberations. On behalf of the board, I thank him for his work and his distinguished service to our community." Trey Teaff, GM and CEO, agreed, saying, "I have great respect for Lewis and his years of service to the cooperative. His life experiences made for some interesting and educational conversations. It has been a pleasure for me to know him and work with him."

About his time representing the members of WCEC, Lewis said, "I have enjoyed every minute I have served as a director of Wood County Electric Cooperative. On cooperative business, I've gotten to meet so very many wonderful people and I've gone to states and places I probably never would have otherwise visited. It's been fun, and eye-opening too. And, I tell you what. It gave me an understanding of electricity and what a valuable resource it is."

Recently retired CEO and GM Debbie Robinson praised Young, saying, "Lewis has been a steady presence during my entire WCEC career. I have valued his guidance, his wisdom and his easy nature. I also have valued his friendship. He's a multidimensional person, with a love of history, gardening, farming, children, education, and many other things. Because of this, he's easy to talk to and I've come to know him as a valued friend and mentor."

During his board tenure, Young remained active in obtaining the knowledge that would inform his decisions for the cooperative. He attended formal training with the statewide association, Texas Electric Cooperatives, and the broader National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. At NRECA, he pursued and earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director certification, which demonstrates understanding and competencies in five core areas of cooperative governance. Following that, he attended advanced classes to earn his Board Leadership Certificate.

Lewis and his wife Clotene are the parents of two children and three grandchildren. They resided in Ben Wheeler where they were active in the Prairie Creek CME Church. They will spend their time in the Dallas/Fort Worth region to be near their son and daughter and their families.

NOTICE

WCEC IS CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS
FOR A DIRECTOR FOR DISTRICT 7

The business and affairs of WCEC is managed by a 7 Member Board of Directors, each representing one of the 7 WCEC Districts. With Lewis Young's retirement, the cooperative is seeking candidates to run for election to the District 7 position. The election results will be announced October 9, 2020 at the WCEC Annual Meeting. Directors serve a 3-year term and can run and serve for multiple elected terms.

Per WCEC's bylaws, there are 2 ways for a member to become a potential Director candidate: (1.) Nomination by the Elections Committee, or (2.) by submitting a valid petition with the signatures of one hundred or more Cooperative Members. Members interested in serving as a Director should call the office to request a Director Candidate Package to be filled out and returned by August 10, 2020.

No matter how a potential candidate is nominated, the Bylaws also provide that it is the job of the Elections Committee to certify that all potential candidates meet all the criteria and the nomination complies with the Bylaws. Accordingly, a member desiring to be nominated may not be included on the Director election ballot if the Election Committee determines that they do not meet the qualifications identified in the Bylaws, or their petition is not valid.

Qualifications to be considered for placement on the ballot, per Article V of WCEC's Bylaws include:

No person shall be eligible to become or remain a Director of the Cooperative who:

(a) is not a Member in the area served or to be served by the Cooperative and of the district he or she is to represent;

(b) is regularly, directly, and substantially employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise or a business selling goods or services to the Cooperative, or a business primarily regularly engaged in selling electric or plumbing appliances, fixtures or supplies, to the Members of the Cooperative;

(c) is not a resident of the district they represent; or who does not purchase all electric energy used at their residence where they actually live and reside from the Cooperative. A resident of a district is an individual who resides and is registered to vote with an address located in the district;

(d) is an employee or has been a former employee of the Cooperative within the seven (7) years prior to the election at which such Member is to be placed on the ballot;

(e) has not been a Member of the Cooperative for a period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, preceeding the election;

(f) has been convicted of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude in this state or any other state;

(g) who is a close relative of an employee of the Cooperative;

(h) does not have the capacity to enter legally binding contracts; or

(i) is a close relative of an existing Director of the Cooperative.

For purposes of these Bylaws "close relative" shall include an individual who:

(a) is either related by blood, law, or marriage, including half, step, foster, and adoptive relations, a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling; or

(b) resides in the same residence.

When a membership is held jointly by a husband and wife, either one, but not both, may be elected a Director, provided however that neither one shall be eligible to become or remain a Director or to hold a position of trust in the Cooperative unless both shall meet the qualifications hereinabove set forth. Nothing in this section shall or be construed to affect, in any manner whatsoever, the validity of any action taken in any meeting of the Board of Directors

Completed packages and petitions, including all member information and a background check authorization form, must be delivered/mailed to the attention of: WCEC Elections Committee, 501 S. Main St. Quitman, TX, 75783, for receipt no later than August 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

An Elections Committee comprised of members will verify all potential candidates' qualifications, as well as petition signatures, and will announce the qualified director candidates.

Complete details may be found in the governing document, Article V of WCEC's bylaws, which are available on wcec.org .

May Is National Electrical Safety Month

Every day, we rely on electricity to power our homes and offices. However, it can be easy to take the safety of electric appliances, equipment and power lines for granted . May is National Electrical Safety Month-a great time to raise awareness of how to avoid potential electrical hazards.

Indoors

Check electric cords for fraying or cracking. Replace cords that may be damaged.
Extension cords are intended to be temporary. If you find yourself using extension cords regularly, have an electrician add outlets where you need them.
Don't run cords under carpets or rugs and don't tack or nail cords to walls or floors.
Keep electric appliances away from water. Never reach for or unplug an appliance that has fallen into water; instead, turn the power off at the breaker before you unplug the appliance or remove it from the water.
Keep your home's electrical system in good repair. Contact a licensed electrical contractor if you have flickering lights, sparking or nonfunctioning outlets, or need wiring repairs or upgrades.

Outdoors

Never touch downed power lines.Always call 911 or WCEC if you see lines down.
Watch for overhead lines every time you use a ladder, work on roofs or in trees, or carry long tools or tall loads.
Know what's below before you dig. Call 811 three days in advance of your project to have underground utility lines, pipes and cables marked for free.

Safety Tips

Don't Toy With Safety

When playing outdoors, keep a safe distance from power lines, substations and other equipment your electric co-op uses to send electricity to your home. Flying remote-controlled toys and drones is a great way to have fun, but accidentally making contact with a power line or other electrical equipment can be dangerous and, in some cases, even deadly.

Never fly kites or drones near power lines.
Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers and electrical boxes.
Never climb trees near power lines.
If you get something stuck in a power line, call WCEC.
Never touch or go near a power line.

For more safety tips visit our Safety & Consumer Tips

Energy Efficiency Tips

9 Spring Energy Saving Tips

Every season of the year provides unique energy saving opportunities.

Below are 8 tips well suited for spring.

Clear the air: When temps are mild, turn off the HVAC and open windows to allow fresh air to circulate.
Cook outside: Enjoy the sunshine by using your grill or smoker to add festive flavors to meals.
Search and seal: Cracks and spaces let conditioned air slip outdoors. Caulk and weatherstrip to seal leaks before the hot months ahead.
Natural light: Open blinds and curtains and turn off the lights to save energy.
Be fan friendly: Use ceiling fans to circulate air and keep cool.
Atmospheric adjustment: Remember to adjust your thermostat settings for the warmer months ahead. The Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78°F when you are home and higher when your away.
Tune up: Schedule an appointment with a HVAC technician to identify any potential problems with your system.
Move outdoors: Time spent outdoors offers opportunities to turn off lights, TVs, computers and appliances. You'll be more active, have more fun and save more money.

For more energy efficiency tips visit our Energy Savings Center .

Wood County Electric Cooperative | [email protected] | http://www.wcec.org