SECO News March 2022

Dear Members,

SECO Energy is experiencing accelerated growth in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors while operating with strong fiscal responsibility. Florida is amid a population uptick. We expect the expansion potential and increasing energy demand to be our norm for a time.

In 2021, we added upwards of 5,700 new active services systemwide. This level of growth in our service area and Central Florida is exciting, challenging and has a positive effect on our financial position. SECO must meet the increasing demand for energy, maintain existing infrastructure and preserve reliability. SECO is very busy keeping up with our growing region and maintaining our existing infrastructure to serve you.

As a not-for-profit cooperative, significant financial investments are made to serve new members and improve your service reliability. At yearend 2021, SECO’s investment in facilities topped over $1 billion and continues to grow. This ongoing facilities’ investment averages over $6 million per month.

We have retained our position as the third-largest Florida electric cooperative and seventh largest nationally out of about 800 distribution co-ops. Among our co-op peers, a growing infrastructure supporting more than 220,000 metered accounts is extraordinary. Our facilities include 48 substations and 13,000 miles of line to reliably serve members.

This past year, with Board of Trustees approval, SECO returned $6.46 million in Capital Credits to current and former members. Since inception, SECO has returned over $80 million in Capital Credits. Assigning and returning margins to our members makes us different from other electric utilities. This is what we like to call “the cooperative
difference.”

We control costs, maintain healthy equity, return excess margins like a true co-op should, and provide competitive rates. It is clear there is a difference when serving members in a not-for-profit environment. And that’s the cooperative difference.

We pledge to provide you with the most reliable and lowest cost electricity possible while not losing sight of the high premium you place on customer service.

Best regards,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

Virtual Business Only 2022 Annual Virtual Meeting

Members, tune in to watch our 84th Annual Meeting live via virtual webcast on Thursday, March 24, at 4:30 p.m. To access the meeting, click on the Virtual Business Meeting homepage banner on SECOEnergy.com. Links to the webcast will also be published on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

Though this year’s meeting is a virtual business-only Annual Business Meeting, we need your vote to approve the 2021 Annual Meeting Minutes. You can vote on Annual Meeting business by mail, electronically or by phone. All members who cast a vote are counted as present in person for determination of quorum as stated in the Bylaws Article III, Section E, #4.

We have 100 great prizes up for grabs! All members who vote on Annual Meeting Business (2021 Annual Meeting Minutes) are eligible to win a prize. The grand prizes are a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado Extended Cab truck, a 2019 EZGO TXT gas-powered golf cart and three $1,000 cash prizes. Other prizes include SECO Energy electric bill credits, Wi-Fi programmable thermostats, energy savings kits and more!

Review the list of prizes on page three. To cast your vote electronically, visit SECOEnergy.com and click on the 2022 Virtual Business Meeting Vote homepage banner or text VOTE to (352) 320-2200 and follow the link. To vote by mail, fill out the ballot in your 2022 Official Annual Meeting Notice and enclose it with your electric bill payment.

To vote by phone, call (352) 793-3801 and an agent will assist. Do you have a comment or question for us? Engage with SECO Energy during the 2022 Annual Business Meeting, and your question or comment may be addressed live. Drop us a note via email at SECO2022AM@SECOEnergy.com, give us a call at (352) 329-MEET (answered on March 24 only) or send a message on Facebook or Twitter starting at 3:30 on March 24.

Good luck, and thank you for voting! We’ll see you virtually on Thursday, March 24, at 4:30 for our 84th Annual Meeting.

2022 Annual Business Meeting Prize List

2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO EXTENDED CAB TRUCK
2019 EZGO TXT GAS-POWERED GOLF CART
$1,000 CHECKS (3)
GENERAC GENERATOR
$250 SECO ELECTRIC BILL CREDITS (5)
NEST LEARNING THERMOSTATS (10)
HONEYWELL SMART THERMOSTATS (10)
PREMIUM ENERGY SAVINGS KITS (5)
SENSI SMART THERMOSTATS (10)
$100 SECO ELECTRIC BILL CREDITS (5)
LUX SMART THERMOSTATS (10)
SURGE MITIGATOR SURGE PROTECTION 1-YEAR LEASE (5)
RADIO SMART THERMOSTATS (10)
SMART POWER STRIPS (5)
ENERGY SAVINGS KITS PLUS (5)
AMAZON ECHO DOTS (4)
12-PACK LED LIGHT BULBS (5)
STARTER ENERGY-EFFICIENCY KITS (5)

Celebrate 25 Years of our Surge Protection Program with Free Installation

SECO Energy is celebrating 25 years of its Surge Protection Program with savings for you! We’re offering free installation for all new Surge MitiGator enrollments until May 31. That’s a $25 savings for you during our 25th Surge Protection Anniversary.

SECO’s made in the USA meter-based surge arrester has proven reliable over the past 25 years by reducing or eliminating surges BEFORE they enter your home through the meter. More than 40,000 members are already enrolled in the program.

The Surge MitiGator has a beastly 15-year warranty and is designed to protect your home’s large-motor appliances. Household appliances and sensitive electronics such as televisions and computers can be damaged or destroyed by power surges. These also require point-of-use devices that can be purchased at hardware or big-box retailers for adequate coverage.

Start at the meter base with the Surge MitiGator for the best protection. You can lease the MitiGator for only $5.95 plus tax per month with free installation – a $25 savings. The purchase price ranges from $349 to $399 plus tax – and this includes free installation. Visit SECOEnergy.com > Surge MitiGator and complete the webform to learn more or enroll during this limited free installation promotion.

Read the full March 2022 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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

Members Re-elect District 3 Trustee Richard Belles

SECO Energy District 3 members gathered at The Villages’ Savannah Center on Thursday, January 24 to elect a Trustee to represent their District on SECO’s Board. Members voted to re-elect District 3 Trustee Richard Belles. A SECO member since 2001, Mr. Belles was first elected to the Board in 2013.

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members who reside in the District elect one of their fellow members to serve on SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the members at large.

In January, both Mr. Belles and fellow District 3 resident Bryan Lifsey declared their willingness to serve the members in District 3 by submitting letters of intent to run. On the afternoon of January 24, a large crowd assembled in the Savannah Center to elect a District 3 Trustee for a three-year term.

Trustee Belles stated, “Thank you District 3 members for choosing me as your Trustee. I am humbled and honored by your support and trust. It is a pleasure to work on your behalf with my fellow Trustees, and I look forward to continuing my Board service.”

President Jerry Hatfield stated, “Mr. Belles’ Board service has had a meaningful impact on SECO’s improved reliability, financial stability and customer service recognitions and success. I congratulate him on his re-election and I look forward to his assistance in serving our fellow SECO members.”

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Congratulations to Mr. Belles on his re-election and thank you District 3 members for participating in your District Meeting. SECO’s Board of Trustees is an important piece of the cooperative process. They are a fiscally responsible group who is very supportive of SECO, its members and employees. I am grateful for our Board’s fiduciary guidance and oversight, and their collective knowledge of the utility industry.”

Duncan continued, “I hope members plan to attend our Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23. We will be serving breakfast, snacks, visit the Energy Showcase for energy-efficiency displays, enjoy live entertainment and the chance to win door prizes. The grand prizes this year are a refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab 4-wheel drive with less than 60,000 miles, a golf cart, cash and many other prizes.”

Visit our Trustees page to view a photo and read a brief bio of SECO’s Trustees along with a District map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Members Re-elect District 9 Trustee Jerry Hatfield

On Thursday, February 8, members who attended the District Meeting voted to re-elect Jerry Hatfield to represent District 9 on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. Hatfield, a SECO member since 1971, was first elected to the Board in 2000 and currently serves in an Officer position as Vice President.

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members elect their fellow members to SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the members at large.

Members in District 9 gathered at Spring Creek Elementary in Paisley to elect a District 9 Trustee for a three-year term. In January, Hatfield and Mount Dora resident Dennis Armstrong expressed a willingness to represent the members of District 9, each submitting their letter of intent to run.

Hatfield stated, “Thank you District 9 members for again electing me to serve on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees. I am grateful to be able to serve my community and fellow SECO members through my continued Board service. As a long-time Lake County resident, I am humbled by the confidence and trust bestowed upon me by SECO’s District 9 members.”

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “I congratulate Mr. Hatfield on his re-election and continued service to SECO members. Mr. Hatfield is a valuable member of SECO’s Board and a trusted member of his community. It is a pleasure to work with a Board that is member-focused and committed to the Cooperative’s success. I also extend my gratitude to our District 9 members who attended the meeting and participated in SECO’s democratic process.”

Duncan added, “I hope to see all of you at SECO’s Annual Meeting of the Membership in March. Enjoy breakfast and snacks, browse energy efficiency displays at the Energy Showcase and stay through the business meeting for the door prize drawing. This year, door prizes include a refurbished 2009 Chevy Colorado, an electric golf cart, cash and more.”

SECO members are invited to the 80^th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 24. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., and the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. The meeting is located across the street from the corporate headquarters at 293 S. Highway 301 in Sumterville. Members who RSVP online and attend the meeting will be entered in a drawing for a $300 electric bill credit.

View photos and brief bios of the Trustees along with an interactive District map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Members Re-elect District 7 Trustee Rob Henion

On Tuesday, January 23, members who attended the District Meeting voted to re-elect Rob Henion to represent District 7 on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. Henion became a SECO member in 2002 and was first elected to the Board in 2009. Henion currently serves in an Officer position as Secretary-Treasurer.

Members in District 7 gathered at the Rainbow Lake Estates Community Center in Dunnellon to elect a District 7 Trustee for a three-year term. Henion and Dunnellon resident Carmen A. Pintado-Kusiak along with Ocala resident Donald R. Stanton expressed a willingness to represent the members of District 7. In January, all three submitted their letter of intent to serve.

Henion stated, “Thank you District 7 members for once again selecting me to represent District 7 on SECO’s Board of Trustees. I am privileged to continue my work with the cooperative, CEO Jim Duncan, SECO’s senior management team and my fellow Trustees.”

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “I congratulate Mr. Henion on his re-election and continued service to SECO members. It is a pleasure to work with a Board that is member-focused and committed to the Cooperative’s success. I also extend my gratitude to our District 7 members who attended the meeting and participated in SECO’s democratic process.”

SECO members are invited to the 80th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 24. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., and the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. The meeting is located across the street from the corporate headquarters at 293 S. Highway 301 in Sumterville.

Visit SECOEnergy.com>YourCo-Op for photos and brief bios of the Trustees along with an interactive District map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Record Attendance at SECO’s 79th Annual Meeting of the Membership

Attendance boomed at SECO Energy’s 79th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 25. Thousands of members, guests, vendors and VIPs enjoyed hot breakfast biscuits, sweet treats, energy efficiency displays, live entertainment, gifts and a chance to win grand prizes and various door prizes. The weather was filled with trademark Florida sunshine and the springtime breeze kept everyone cool.

The Cooperative’s 79th Annual Meeting broke attendance records with a total of 4,539 registered members and their guests, compared to 3,100 registered members and guests in 2016. Additional parking areas were needed due to the increased attendance. The parking team was responsible for parking over 2,000 vehicles – 600 more than last year – along with 18 motorcycles and even one golf cart that came down US 301 in the wee morning hours.

Parking 2,000 vehicles over a three-hour period and providing shuttle service is complicated. Coordinating the exit of that many vehicles in less than an hour is no small feat either, but SECO appreciates its members’ patience with the exit traffic.

The crowd was well-fed with over 4,500 breakfast biscuits served. SECO kept the crowd lively with sweet treats and caffeine serving more than 10,500 Krispy Kreme doughnuts, 16,000 chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies, along with 5,300 cups of coffee and almost 6,000 cans of soda.

Registered members received a copy of SECO’s 2016 Annual Report and a gift bag with two commemorative insulated steel tumblers. SECO and its wholesale power provider Seminole Electric distributed over 6,000 LED bulbs to members. Members won a total of 127 door prizes, many donated by local businesses and vendors that are also SECO members. Four cash prizes were up for grabs along with a refurbished Dodge Dakota truck and a refurbished electric golf cart.

Michael Niemiec from Inverness won the refurbished 2005 Dodge Dakota truck, Lake Panasoffkee’s Shannon Jessup was the winner of the refurbished electric golf cart from The Villages Golf Cars and The Villages resident Edward Maffuccio was the happy winner of the $1,500 cash prize. Other cash prize winners were Clark Smith from Webster who won $1,000 and Christine Bartow from The Villages and Edward James from Leesburg both won a $500 cash prize.

In the days leading up to the meeting and during, over 400 additional members “liked” SECO’s Facebook page and over 700 members interacted with the cooperative on Facebook during the meeting. These members were entered into a random drawing to win a $300 bill credit. Rosemary May of The Villages was the winner of the bill credit. Members who pledged a financial contribution to The Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) had a chance to win a patriotic picnic set. ACRE is a committee that funds candidates who support the interests of electric cooperatives such as SECO. Gloria Blackman of Tavares, one of 75 members who pledged to assist ACRE, was the winner of the patriotic picnic set.

Several of SECO’s vendor-partners were on hand to display their energy-saving products and services for interested members. SECO displayed its new Solar Life program – the hassel-free green choice alternative to individual rooftop solar. Six members signed up to have a portion of their utility-supplied power reduced by the output of four solar panels in Seminole Electric’s 8,000 panel solar array located in Hardee County.

SECO’s Solar Square array and its online production dashboard was also on display and accessible to members. The solar demo’s house replica displays a bi-directional meter for net metering, an inverter and a photovoltaic module on a simulated rooftop. Members interested in solar energy can use the Solar Estimator to help determine costs and output.

During his CEO Report, Jim Duncan asked members to consider enrolling in the Pennies from Heaven program that offers financial aid to local members. “SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program rounds up members bills to the nearest dollar. Currently, less than 8,000 members contribute to the program. If all 197,000 members enrolled in Pennies from Heaven, the yearly contribution would top $1.18 million. Imagine all of the good your pennies could contribute to in your communities if every SECO member enrolls in the program.”

Ray Vick, Board of Trustees President, stated, “I am personally asking all 197,000 members to consider contributing to Pennies from Heaven. With more members contributing, the collective pennies could fund local charitable organizations, purchase equipment for first responders, support school and youth programs, fund teacher endowments and many more worthy causes in SECO’s service area.”

Unfortunately, the record setting attendance created a small shortage in breakfast biscuits and Annual Report gift bags for about 100 members who arrived just before the business meeting began. SECO is in the process of identifying those members to provide an apology letter and gesture of goodwill.

The PowerPoint slides from Saturday’s Annual Meeting are posted online at www.secoenergy.com>YourCo-op. Video footage of the meeting will be posted on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter next week. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO News, March 2017

Duncan’s Digest: Facebook Help Squad

Mark your calendar to attend SECO’s 79th Annual Meeting of the Membership on March 25. Gates and registration open at 8:00 a.m., and the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. Prize drawing begins immediately after the business meeting and you must be present to win. This year’s prizes include cash, a refurbished 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup truck, an electric refurbished golf cart and too many additional door prizes to name.

Speaking of prizes – be on the lookout for SECO’s Facebook Help Squad – the group who will help you enter the random drawing to win a $300 bill credit. Remember – you must be present to win.

Are you ready to win? If you don’t already have a Facebook profile, get started by signing up for a free account today at www.facebook.com. Next, members should “like” SECO Energy’s Facebook page. Finally, interact with SECO on Facebook during the Annual Meeting. It’s easy – post a picture of yourself having fun at the Annual Meeting, comment on our status update, or mention @SECO Energy on your Facebook page. The $300 bill credit winner will be announced just before the business meeting begins. Did I mention that you must be present to win?

The Facebook Help Squad is here to help you. Have your smartphone or tablet ready, and a Help Squad member will take your picture and post it on SECO’s page. Or you can post your own “selfie.” Your kids and grandkids will be so impressed at your tech skills. Watch for the big blue Facebook signs. The Help Squad is a fun group of customer-service ambassadors – they are characters who have a good time.

Enjoy the world-class hospitality of the best cooperative employees around, munch on good food, win door prizes, dance to the band and maybe get lucky with extra surprises and prizes. Join us at 8:00 a.m. on March 25 at our Sumterville Compound at 293 S. Highway 301. I look forward to seeing you there – because you must be present to win.

2017 Scholarship Reminder

Graduating highs school seniors – don’t forget to apply for a chance to win a $3,000 scholarship. Application deadline is March 31, 2017. Print an application today. $36,000 in scholarships will be awarded this year.

Read the full March 2017 SECO News here.

MY ACCOUNT

AMI

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Archive

Dear Members,

Virtual Business Only 2022 Annual Virtual Meeting

2022 Annual Business Meeting Prize List

Celebrate 25 Years of our Surge Protection Program with Free Installation

DUNCAN’S DIGEST

SECO CHAMPIONS – 400+ SECO EMPLOYEES

ANNUAL MEETING 2019 DOOR PRIZES

Duncan’s Digest: Facebook Help Squad

2017 Scholarship Reminder

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

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NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

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CONNECT WITH US