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SECO News, May 2019

DUNCAN’S DIGEST

 

Dear Members,

 

Thank you for attending our 81st Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23. The perfect spring weather and the potential to win really great prizes attracted a crowd of almost 5,000 members, guests, VIPs and employees.

May 2018 SECO News Duncan's Digest

 

Attendees were well-fed. We served breakfast biscuits, cookies, doughnuts, coffee and soft drinks. Registered members received a special SECO gift (a combination LED nightlight USB charger), an LED from our wholesale power provider Seminole Electric, a copy of the 2018 Annual Report and additional giveaways.

 

To prepare for this year’s crowd, we added seating areas, large screens and speakers – providing seating for about 6,000 people. We left enough room under the pavilion for members to dance to the music performed by crowd-favorite Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive Band.

 

Members who toured the Energy Showcase browsed energy-efficiency displays, visited with our vendors, asked questions of employees and picked up more giveaways.

 

Board President and District 9 Trustee Jerry Hatfield delivered the President’s Report. He encouraged members to enroll in SECO’s community outreach program called Pennies from Heaven. The program rounds up your monthly bill to the nearest dollar and uses those pennies to fund local, worthwhile causes or aid members in need. If all members enrolled, the donated pennies will total over a million dollars a year to help people in the communities we serve. Enroll online, visit Pennies from Heaven.

 

Speaking of community, we tried something new this year. SECO partnered with local United Way agencies to hold a food drive at the Annual Meeting. You and our employees responded generously by donating 5,000 pounds of food. Read more on page 4 and visit our YouTube channel to watch the “Feeding the Cooperative Spirit” video.

 

Members voted affirmatively on a Board-recommended Articles of Incorporation amendment and a related Bylaws revision. These changes authorize SECO’s Board of Trustees to permit electronic or by mail voting for the purpose of conducting Annual Meeting business and meeting the quorum requirement.

 

Once official business was wrapped up, the prize drawings began. U.S. Congressman Daniel Webster who serves Florida’s 11th District dropped by to draw the grand-prize-winning tickets:

 

Robert Morrill of The Villages won the golf cart; Arnold A. Gomke of Tavares took home the 2009 Ford SuperCab 4×4; and $1,500 went to Robert James of Ocklawaha.

 

If you were unable to attend, visit SECO’s YouTube channel to view the Annual Meeting video recap.

 

Thank you for your membership. It is our privilege to serve as your energy provider.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Car Versus Pole - It's Gonna Hurt May 2019 SECO News

CAR VERSUS POLE – IT’S GONNA HURT

 

According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 40,000 people lost their lives to car crashes in 2018. About 4.5 million people were seriously injured in crashes last year. Florida along with several other states saw a 5.8% spike in fatalities, according to Council estimates.

 

The Council concludes that driver behavior is contributing to the numbers staying stubbornly high. From a SECO perspective, car versus pole accidents happen about twice a week on average. Drivers misjudge curves, swerve to avoid animals and other cars, are distracted by passengers/texting, or may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Any of these circumstances can lead to a face-to-face contact with a firmly planted utility pole – and it’s gonna hurt.

 

SECO posts photos like these on our social media channels for a variety of reasons. If the accident causes an outage, we want to explain the reason for the service interruption. As the saying goes: A picture is worth a thousand words. We also feel the photos send a cautionary message about distracted driving (though we don’t publish accident photos involving death or serious injury).

 

In our service area, car versus pole accidents caused 81 outages in 2018 affecting 37,550 members’ service. In terms of volume of members interrupted, in 2018, car versus pole events were the second largest cause of outages.

 

Property damage reimbursement is pursued through our insurance carrier but these incidents still cost the company. Member satisfaction suffers as a result of extended outage duration when damage is extensive. Cooperation with law enforcement and emergency services is the highest priority at these crash scenes.

 

Members sometimes ask why all electric infrastructure can’t be underground. That decision is usually made by a developer during the design phase of new construction. The cost for underground services is substantially higher than overhead – up to six times more. It’s also important to remember that outages affecting underground services can be longer in duration because the repairs are more difficult to access.

 

DON’T BECOME A STATISTIC. Watch out for those big, bad utility poles. For more examples of car versus pole carnage featured in our latest video, visit our home page and click on the Car versus Pole banner.

 

2018 Annual Report Trivia May 2019 SECO News

ANNUAL REPORT TRIVIA

 

If you missed this year’s Annual Meeting or didn’t win a door prize, you have another chance to win. Visit our Facebook page to play 2018 Annual Report trivia by answering questions on our status update. Three prizes are up for grabs:

 

Apple 32 GB iPad
Wi-Fi programmable thermostat
$200 SECO electric bill credit

 

How do you play? Answer these five questions on Facebook:

 

1. What is SECO Energy’s 2018 ACSI score?
2. How many members were served by SECO Energy at year-end 2018?
3. How many Trustee Districts make up the SECO Energy Board?
4. Per the Balance Sheet, what is the 2018 value of SECO’s Total Electric Plant?
5. What is the name of SECO Energy’s online outage map and reporting platform?

 

To find the answers, browse our 2018 Annual Report. Members without internet access can request a copy of the Annual Report and trivia questions mailed. Return your answers by mail or play online before June 15th. Winners notified by June 21st. Good luck!

 

2019 Annual Meeting Food Drive Results May 2019 SECO News

FOOD DRIVE RESULTS

 

This year’s Annual Meeting theme – “Feeding the Cooperative Spirit” – was also a mission. Adhering to the seventh cooperative principle of Concern for Community, SECO partnered with United Way to organize a food drive to restock local food pantries.

 

Hundreds of members and SECO employees donated 5,000 pounds of non-perishable food items. The foods were sorted and delivered to 14 food pantries serving nearby communities.

 

• Brother’s Keeper
• Salvation Army of Marion County
• Interfaith Emergency Services
• St. Theresa’s Social Services
• Community of Gratitude
• Salvation Army of Lake County
• Leesburg Food Bank
• Faith Neighborhood Center, Inc.
• Lake Cares
• Salvation Army of Sumter County
• Wildwood Food Pantry
• Hope Ministries Center, Inc.
• Daystar Life Center, Inc.
• Community Food Bank Citrus County

 

Thank you all for your gracious donations!

 

Read the full May 2019 SECO News online.

SECO Energy 81st Annual Meeting Draws Thousands

SECO Energy held its 81st Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 23, 2019, drawing a crowd of nearly 5,000 members, guests, VIPs and employees.

 

The theme of this year’s meeting – “Feeding the Cooperative Spirit” – was also a mission. SECO spread the word that local food pantries are experiencing critical shortages limiting their ability to assist residents. SECO partnered with United Way and food pantries to conduct a food drive at this year’s meeting. Hundreds of members donated non-perishable food items that will be delivered to food banks later this week.

 

Members and guests were treated to breakfast, snacks, live entertainment by Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive Band, energy-efficiency displays, gifts, the chance to win door prizes and more. All registered members received a SECO gift, an LED from SECO’s wholesale provider Seminole Electric, a copy of the cooperative’s 2018 Annual Report and additional giveaways.

 

SECO Energy’s Board President and District 9 Trustee Jerry Hatfield called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. During the President’s Report, Hatfield explained the cooperative business model and benefits of being served by a not-for-profit electric utility. Hatfield also encouraged members to enroll in SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program. Hatfield stated, “Please help us support SECO’s great community outreach program Pennies from Heaven. SECO will round up your bill to the nearest dollar to help members in need of assistance and to support other local, worthy causes.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan took the stage for the CEO Report. Duncan led the crowd in a rousing military tribute and provided a cooperative business update that highlighted SECO’s continued growth, member satisfaction scores and system improvement projects.

 

Duncan overviewed current and future issues impacting Florida energy consumers. He spoke about SECO’s wholesale power provider Seminole Electric Cooperative and meeting future power needs. Duncan stated, “As SECO grows, our wholesale power provider Seminole Electric Cooperative must also keep up with our power demand. Seminole is removing one coal-fired unit and replacing it with a state-of-the-art natural gas fired unit that will come online in 2023. Seminole has finalized a deal to add 40 megawatts of solar to its mix and is considering the addition of another 300 megawatts of solar.”

 

Duncan continued, “These moves are environmentally friendly and provide a stable power supply for years to come.” Duncan explained the Board-recommended Articles of Incorporation amendment and Bylaws revision. Cooperative Attorney Lewis Stone led the voting process for the amendment and revision. Members voted overwhelmingly to accept both measures.

 

After the member votes, Hatfield concluded the meeting and the grand prize and door prize drawings began. U.S. Congressman Daniel Webster who serves Florida’s 11th District joined SECO on stage to draw the first grand prize winning ticket. Robert Morrill of The Villages won the gas-powered golf cart; Arnold A. Gomke of Tavares took home the 2009 Ford SuperCab 4×4; $1,500 in cash went to Robert James of Ocklawaha; Carolyn Hadley of Bushnell won the $1,000 cash prize and both Nancy Burgess of Summerfield and Phyllis Mullin of Ocala won $500.

 

Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy Partners with United Way at 81st Annual Meeting

SECO Energy is partnering with local United Way agencies during its Annual Meeting of the Membership on March 23, 2019, with a food donation drive to help restock local food pantries. Food donation drop-offs will be situated near parking areas between registration and the big American flag displays.

 

“Feeding the Cooperative Spirit” is the theme for this year’s Annual Meeting and is also a mission. Many local food banks are running desperately low on critical need food items. These shortages compromise their ability to support area residents. SECO and its local United Way partners have a plan to change that.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “This year’s Annual Meeting is a perfect opportunity for community-minded members and guests, along with SECO and the United Way, to fill a community need. Almost 7,000 members and guests attended last year’s Annual Meeting, and we are expecting an even larger crowd this year. Please donate canned, boxed or jarred foods upon arrival at this year’s Annual Meeting food drive. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the communities we serve.”

 

Consider donating low-sodium, low-sugar options including canned meats, fruits, vegetables, soups and stews. Canned or dried beans, whole grains such as oatmeal, rice and pasta, assorted baby foods and prepared meals are also good options.

 

Local food pantry needs for 2019 Annual Meeting food drive

 

Gates and registration open at 8 a.m. To register bring a copy of your bill and photo ID. Members who attend the meeting are treated to hot sausage egg and cheese biscuits, cookies, doughnuts, coffee and soft drinks, a SECO gift and a 2018 Annual Report. Find a seat in the Annual Meeting Pavilion because Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive will be center stage. Visit the Energy Showcase for energy efficiency ideas and product information from SECO’s partners, and pick up a free LED provided by our wholesale provider Seminole Electric.

 

Members are invited to stroll the grounds and locate a member of the Facebook Help Squad. Snap a selfie or take a picture while at the Annual Meeting and post it on SECO’s Facebook page for the chance to win a $300 bill credit. Be sure to “like” SECO’s Facebook page before the meeting begins.

 

The business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. Toward the end of the business meeting, members will be asked to vote on the Board-recommended Articles of Incorporation amendment and related Bylaws revision. After the votes, the drawing for grand and door prizes begins. Grand prizes this year include a refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab 4X4, a gas-powered golf cart and $1,500 cash. Door prizes include cash, gift cards and assorted high-tech items.

 

Click on the RSVP home page banner to RSVP online before the meeting to help SECO with breakfast and gift headcount. Members who RSVP online are entered in a drawing for a $300 bill credit. As with all other prizes you must be present to win.

 

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO News, March 2019

DUNCAN’S DIGEST

 

I would like to extend a personal invitation to join us for our 81st Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23. Gates and registration open at 8 a.m. and the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. SECO’s ever-hospitable, friendly employees are excited to host members and guests on Annual Meeting day.

 

SECO News Duncan's Digest 2019

 

RSVP online if you plan to attend. The online RSVP is for breakfast and gift headcount only. You will still need to register upon arrival. To RSVP online or click on the RSVP home page banner. You’ll be entered in a $300 bill credit prize drawing and must be present at the meeting to win.

 

Annual Meeting Home Page Banner

 

The theme of this year’s meeting is also a mission: “Feeding the Cooperative Spirit.” Many local food pantries are experiencing critical food shortages that compromise their ability to support area residents. Join SECO, the United Way and your fellow members to help restock local food dispensaries in the counties we serve. Consider donating healthy options including meats and vegetables; grains (oatmeal, rice, pasta); baby food and canned meals (soups, stews). United Way and local food pantry volunteers will be on-hand to collect your donated items at food drop-offs located near the big American flags in the parking areas.

 

Speaking of food, we are serving the now-famous “big breakfast biscuit” (sausage, egg and cheese – one per person please). You’ll also find cookies, doughnuts, coffee and sodas. Limited picnic and high top tables are available on the south side of the Annual Meeting Pavilion. You are welcome to bring your own picnic blankets, folding/camp chairs or grab a seat under the Pavilion.

 

To register, bring a copy of your bill. A photo ID is required. At registration, pick up a ticket set for breakfast, gifts and door prizes. Immediately after registration, you’ll drop your door prize ticket in the prize barrel at Station 1 and proceed to Station 2 to pick up your SECO gift bag. Inside you’ll find Voting Packets for the Board-recommended Articles of Incorporation amendment and the corresponding Bylaws revision. You’ll also find a copy of our 2018 Annual Report.

 

Scout a good seat early. Visit our Energy Showcase before the business meeting begins to learn more about energy efficiency, visit with our partners and pick up a free LED provided by our wholesale power provider Seminole Electric Cooperative. Tap your toes, sing along or dance to live music provided by member-favorite Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive Band.

 

Take a stroll and locate a member of our Facebook Help Squad. Snap a selfie or pose for a picture with a SECO photo frame. Members who “like” SECO’s Facebook page and post a photo or comment during the Annual Meeting on our page are entered into a drawing for a $300 bill credit.

 

The Articles of Incorporation amendment with Mr. Duncan cover letter 2019 and Bylaws revision with Mr. Duncan cover letter 2019 votes take place before the business meeting adjourns. Prize drawings begin directly after the business meeting. Grand prizes include a refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab 4X4, a golf cart and cash prizes. The door prize list also includes gift cards and high-tech items. Keep reading for a sneak peek of the complete door prize list!

 

You must be present to win, so I hope to see you there!

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

March 2019 SECO News SECO Champions blog header

 

SECO CHAMPIONS – 400+ SECO EMPLOYEES

 

SECO’s 400+ employees are dedicated to providing exceptional service to members, co-workers and communities.

 

Thousands of members and guests join SECO Energy and its 400+ employees at our Annual Meetings. Members are surveyed about their Annual Meeting experience after the event, and they are not shy about sharing their feedback. Members enjoy the cooperative update, the breakfast biscuits and snacks, the live entertainment and learning about energy efficiency ideas at our Energy Showcase.

 

But hands-down, the highest-rated Annual Meeting experience is our members’ interactions with, and the hospitality provided by, our 400+ SECO Champion employees. Our group of hard working, local folks provide top-notch customer service to our members. Whether on the front lines or behind the scenes, SECO is proud of each employee and his/her work that helps pen our cooperative’s success stories – the stories of SECO Energy Champions.

 

Join us at our 81st Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23, to interact with our employees and enjoy SECO hospitality at its finest. See you there!

 

2019 Annual Meeting prize list blog header

ANNUAL MEETING 2019 DOOR PRIZES

 

  • Refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab 4X4
  • Gas-powered golf cart
  • $1,500
  • $1,000
  • (2) $500
  • Masterbuilt Smokers
  •  Shark Robotic Vacuum
  • Nest Learning Thermostats
  • Apple TVs
  • Wood-Burning Fire Pit
  • DEWALT Cordless Drills
  • Power Air Fryers
  • Foodsaver Vacuum Sealing Systems
  • Ring Video Doorbells
  • Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablets
  • Victrola 6-in-1 Entertainment Centers
  • Fire TV Cube
  • Black & Decker Cordless Combos
  • Amazon Fire TVs
  • Nix Digital Photo Frame
  • Nostalgia Vintage Ice Cream Makers
  • JBL Portable Bluetooth Speakers
  • Kobalt 227-piece Mechanic’s Tool Set
  • Fitbit Activity Trackers
  • Kobalt 22-piece Household Tool Set
  • Stanley Shop Vacs
  • $50 Visa Gift Cards

 

Read the full March 2019 SECO News online.

SECO News, February 2018

Members, mark your calendar and plan to attend SECO Energy’s 80th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 24, where we will celebrate hitting our 200,000 meter milestone. I hope you’ll come celebrate with us.

February 2018 Duncan's Digest

 

The event is centrally located at our Sumterville Compound at 293 S. Highway 301. Registration opens at 8 a.m., and the business meeting including my CEO Report begins at 10:30 a.m. Watch for your official Annual Meeting Notice enclosed with your bill between February 8 and March 9.

 

SECO’s Annual Meeting is the liveliest party in town – it’s a downright shindig! Arrive hungry; we’re serving hot breakfast sandwiches, doughnuts, cookies, coffee and sodas. Registered members receive a special SECO gift and a copy of our 2017 Annual Report. Browse energy efficiency displays in the Energy Showcase and visit with our energy partners and SECO employees. Enjoy live entertainment by Margo Rochelle and Rodeo Drive Band. Meet the Board of Trustees – your fellow members who you elect to oversee the cooperative’s governance.

 

Our Annual Meeting celebrates you – our member. SECO is a not-for-profit electric cooperative operating for the benefit of and owned by members. SECO does not share dividends with stockholders or investors. Instead, and per the requirements of our business model and Bylaws, our margins are allocated to members themselves, used as equity for the financial health of the cooperative and returned/retired to the members upon Board of Trustee approval. Since inception, we have retired more than $57.8 million back into your pockets. It’s the “cooperative difference” in action.

 

New this year, we’ve developed an RSVP process to project member attendance for food and gift ordering. Let us know you are coming.  Members who RSVP online and attend the meeting are entered in a drawing for a $300 bill credit.

Save the Date

 

Those members without internet access can complete the perforated slip attached to the Annual Meeting notice and enclose with the bill payment – or give us a call at (352) 793-3801 and tell us how many will be in the party. Keep in mind members still must register upon arrival to receive door prize and gift tickets.

 

This year, the Annual Meeting agenda includes a member vote of a Board-recommended revision to SECO’s Bylaws. Look for a copy of the revision in your billing statement that includes the Annual Meeting Notice. A copy will also be included in your SECO gift bag on Annual Meeting day. Before asking for your vote, we will provide an overview of the changes during the business meeting.

 

Also on the agenda is the all-time member favorite – drawing for door prizes. Grand prizes include a truck and a golf cart – each valued at about $5,000 and $1,500 in cash.

 

Other prizes include $1,000 in cash, two $500 cash prizes and two $300 bill credits. More door prizes (like iPads and gift cards) are available too, many of which are donated by local vendors and businesses that are also SECO members. The prize drawing begins after the business meeting and Bylaws vote.

Door Prizes at the SECO Annual Meeting Feb SECO News 2018

 

There is ample parking, including disabled parking and shuttle service. If you require disabled parking, please have your disabled parking permit displayed prominently on your mirror as you enter the parking area. Employees will guide you to parking and shuttles.

 

Your official Annual Meeting Notice will arrive in your February or March billing statement. There is no need to bring the notice to the meeting. Just bring a copy of your bill and photo ID. Registration lines move quickly with our electronic check-in process when you have your bill and identification.

 

Join me, your fellow cooperative members and neighbors, SECO’s Board of Trustees and our employees for the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Membership.

 

I’m looking forward to seeing each of you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 

Read the full February 2018 SECO News online.