FROM YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

January 2003

From A Director

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm with all directors present. The meeting Agenda and Consent Calendar were approved.

Information Items:
Engineering & Operations Manager, Roger Kuhlman, commented that participation in the Last Mile Electric Cooperative (LMEC) projects would mean buying non-federal based resources. Kuhlman updated the board on the status of LMEC and said that some issues need to be answered concerning load shaping, scheduling, and the potential loss of federal based resources. Kuhlman will keep the board apprised of the situation.
     Administrative Services Manager, Jack Belleque, reported that the annual inventory has been completed and that the physical inventory was within 1.5% of what was on the books. Belleque also reported that the office had a new cash register system that allows real-time posting of transactions, which will speed up time in preparing bank deposits.
     He mentioned the status of patronage capital payments being mailed out this month. The mailing includes over 5,000 checks and 5,000 letters to potential recipients.
     Kuhlman updated the board on the Salem Electric sponsored solar cells that are being installed at West Salem High School. The high school is holding an assembly to dedicate the energy system on January 17, 2003. The dedication will be followed by an Energy Fair.
     Member Services Manager, Terry Kelly, displayed some new LED energy saving holiday lights. They use only 10% of the energy that regular mini lights consume and last up to 200,000 hours.
     Kelly said the Info Bulletin is taking on a new look, with more photos, stories on the history of the cooperative and construction updates.
     General Manager, Bob Speckman, discussed the upcoming annual meeting of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA). The ORECA board agreed to form a five-member Executive Committee of the current board. A small working group of ORECA staff and board members were assigned to work with two cooperatives that quit the association and find solutions to bring them back to ORECA.

Jeff Anderson

Secretary/Treasurer

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For several years I’ve had the pleasure of telling our members about all the great things Salem Electric has done in the past year to benefit our customers, the community and our dedicated employees.

Welcome to SE
Jerry Berger and Carl Beach were appointed to the board. How lucky we are!

For Our Members

• Continued to improve our website
• Awarded $2,000 Electric Technology Grant to North Salem High’s Electric Vehicle Club
• Installed a solar project at West Salem High
• Approved patronage revolvement of $1.2 million dollars in capital credit refunds to our members

For Our Community
In 2002, SE helped sponsor or participated in the following community activities:

• Keizer Iris Festival Run
• “Magic At The Mill”
• Salem Art Fair
• Willamette University “Star Tree” Lighting
• Saturday-In-The City Celebration
• West Salem Waterfront Parade
• American Cancer Society Relay for Life
• United Way Campaign
• Festival of Lights Parade
• Needy Family Sponsorship
• Salem Rodeo
• Oregon Symphony in Salem
• Salvation Army Bell Ringing
• American Red Cross Blood Drive
• West Salem and Keizer Little Leagues
• West Salem Community Expo
• Keizer Safety Open House
• Salem Police Department Toy Drive Collection Site
• Adopt-a-Block Participants
• Walker School POWER Program
• Myers, Chapman Hill & Brush College Jog-a-thons
• Traffic Circle Clean-Up
• West Salem Summer Concert Series

For Our Employees

• Spring Break Visits for Employees’ Kids
• 6th Annual Employee Appreciation Day
• Wellness Program and BBQ
• Fitness and Service Awards
• Retiree Informational Lunches
• Pottery and Bowling Nights
• Annual Picnic
• Annual Winter Party

Extra Kudos About SE People

• Francisca Tapia selected as Leadership Youth Representative
• Roger Kuhlman named Chair of Oregon Joint Use Association
• Bob Speckman re-elected as president of Marion County Historical Society
• Steve Gehley completes 3rd & 4th steps in apprenticeship training
• Larry Clack’s Photos included in the Public Power Council Calendar
• Bob Speckman appointed president of Salem Boys Choir
• Terry Kelly named chair of West Salem Redevel opment Advisory Board
• Cindy Lenker installed as West Salem Rotary President
• Jon Charnetzki coaches West Salem Girls’ Softball All-Stars to Regional Tournament
• Craig Koller receives Salem Downtown Association (SDA) Volunteer of the Year Award
• Helen Findley honored for 15 years on the Mid- Willamette Valley Senior Services Advisory Council

Special Recognition & Awards

• NWPPA “Excellence In Communication” Awards
• “Best Use of Humor” Award at the Festival of Lights Parade
• Raised over $2,500 for American Cancer Society
• NWPPA Safety Contest Winner
• Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Award for third consecutive year
• Raised over $1,500 for United Way
• SEDCOR Community Service Award
• SDA Community Service Award
• Oregon Bankers Association Community Applause Award

Saying Goodbye
In 2002, SE said goodbye to retiree Evelyn Smith who passed away—Evelyn worked at SE from 1962 to 1986.

     This is a great cooperative and the employees deserve our sincere “Thank You” for another productive year.

Nancy Horn

Director

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