NOVEMBER 2023

If you would like a printed copy of PowerLine or to add a second email address for yourself or your significant other, please contact Shelly at shelly.schulz@mywcec.coop or ext. 228.

REMINDER: All employees are asked to contribute $10 towards Christmas gifts for the Board of Directors. Please see Brenda for payment before November 27, 2023.

Welcome to Tito and Aric!

WCEC's Newest Notary: Ashley Wells

Congratulations to Ashley on being commissioned by the Secretary of State of Texas as a Notary for public use. If anyone needs documentation notarized, please see Ashley, Richard, or Brenda.

SECTION 125 CAFETERIA PLAN

WCEC offers employees the opportunity to join an optional Section 125 Cafeteria Plan. This plan allows employees to pay certain qualified expenses on a pre-tax basis, thereby reducing their total taxable income and increasing their spendable/take-home income.

Employees can set aside up to $3,050 each year into a Section 125 Cafeteria plan account. The amount you select is payroll deducted from all 26 pay periods and you have to submit your claim to CBA to be reimbursed. Note that if you do not spend all the money you allocated, you forfeit the difference.

CAFETERIA PLAN FACT SHEET

ELIGIBLE & INELIGIBLE EXPENSES

To enroll in the cafeteria plan, download and complete the forms below. Turn completed forms in to Selena's office inbox tray by November 20, 2023.

125 PLAN ELECTION FORM

DIRECT DEPOSIT FORM

Selena only needs the deposit slip if you have not been participating in the plan and would like to start in 2024. Contact her with any questions.

ANNUAL ENROLLMENT REMINDER!

All employees must review their benefits and complete annual enrollment by

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023.

If you need help, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Selena. She is on maternity leave but is available by phone, email, and text. She will also be in the office on Thursday, November 2, 2023 for assistance.

New Bill Coming Soon

In an effort to continue providing excellent member service, we are working on a fresh, new design for our monthly bills featuring relevant usage information and an easy-to-read format.  

This project is still in programming at NISC. Look for details in the coming months.

Loss Control Scholarship Available

TEC Loss Control once again proudly offers scholarships to eligible 2024 graduating high school seniors.

Eligibility

• An applicant must be a child of an employee of an electric cooperative, municipal electric utility or contractor participating in TEC Loss Control’s services, such as organizational safety meetings, Loss Control schools or the Loss Control Conference in the last 12 months.
• Applicants must graduate from high school or earn a GED certificate in the same year the scholarship is awarded.
• Scholarship recipients must meet entrance requirements and enroll in a college or trade school during the first fall semester after the scholarship is awarded. Scholarship funds are paid directly to the appropriate institution.

The scholarship application is available on the TEC website, texas-ec.org. The deadline to apply is January 19, 2024, at 5:00 pm.

TEC Report Offers Statewide News

Texas Electric Cooperative’s free bimonthly email newsletter, the TEC Report, shares news and updates from your statewide association and its member cooperatives across the state.

If you would like to receive the newsletter, the subscription form is available here.

The TEC Report is intended for employees and directors of all organizations that are members of TEC.

Questions?

Email cburrows@texas-ec.org directly.

REMINDER:

View up-to-date employee information including the most recent COVID-19 guidelines on your iVue Connect Employee Portal. 

You can access this information under "Additional Resources" on the Employee Overview screen.

It's a Girl!

Nathan Chapa and Selena Delapena are proud to announce the birth of their second daughter, ANNALEIGH KINSLEY CHAPA.

Annaleigh arrived at 7:45 p.m. on October 4, 2023, weighing 8 lbs. 8 oz. and measuring 20” long.

She was welcomed home by her big sister, Haisley.

Congratulations, Nathan & Selena!

WCEC: Caught On Camera

Juan Rubio was recently featured in the El Campo Leader-News while volunteering at the St. Robert's festival.

Jaxon Wells, son of Ashley Wells, was recently chosen as an Honorary Captain for the Louise Hornet Football Team!

We would like to include your personal stories in future editions of PowerLine. If you have something special going on in your life, please share! Contact Shelly at ext. 228, text to 979-637-0912, or email shelly.schulz@mywcec.coop.

HALLOWEEN POWER UP

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31

WCEC will hand out energizing snack packs to trick-or-treaters from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

THURSDAY, NOV. 23 AND FRIDAY, NOV. 24

WCEC will be closed for Thanksgiving.

BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28

The regularly scheduled meeting of the WCEC Board.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1

Annual WCEC Employee/Director Christmas Party

LIGHTING CONTEST DEADLINE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8

Entries for the Town & Country Christmas Lighting Contest are due. Entry forms are available at MyWCEC.coop/ChristmasLights.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

MONDAY, DEC. 25 & TUESDAY, DEC. 26

MONDAY, JAN. 1

WCEC will be closed for Christmas and New Year's.

EMPLOYEE BIRTHDAYS

11/04: Joshua

11/22: Chris

EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES

11/06: Lance (6 years)

ICYMI: In Case You Missed It

10/03/2023: Selena sent an email regarding bottled water now available with the soda.

10/03/2023: Keith sent an email regarding voicemail email notifications.

10/17/2023: Keith sent an email regarding updated SmartHub Readings.

10/27/23: Mary sent an email regarding 2024 prices for postal services.

10/31/203: Andrew sent an email regarding computer maintenance.