FROM YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
	January 2004 From A Director
The meeting was called to order by President Jim Dyer and all directors were present. Also in attendance was Rachel Knotts, Leadership Youth Representative.      President Jim Dyer presented a plaque to Nancy Horn in recognition of her years of service on the board. Horn thanked the board and said it was an honor to be on the board. She said Salem Electric is the best organization in town. Information Items: Beach called attention to information from ORECA which was included in the packets regarding a survey of board remuneration at the sixteen (16) co-ops in ORECA’s membership. Following a discussion, he and Ennor agreed to prepare a recommendation that will be presented at the next meeting. Any directors with comments or suggestions are encouraged to email Beach or Ennor.      Jack Belleque, Administrative Services Manager said November is the busiest month of the year for member walk-ins because new calendars are available and, this year, there is a display of the LED holiday lights on the front counter that is generating more traffic to Member Services. Salem Electric is also a drop-site again this year for the Salem Police Department Toy Drive. Belleque provided an update on the revolvement program. About $980,000 in patronage has been paid out this year, which represents nearly 8,000 claims.      Roger Kuhlman gave the Engineering & Operations report, calling attention to a map showing projects in various states of planning or completion. He attributed the fine job to our Engineering Department and said the map will be updated for the board periodically. Kuhlman said a Request for Proposal (RFP) on wind power has been prepared for circulation.      Terry Kelly, Member Services Manager, said staff has been working on automating the Member Assistance Program. He said each of the last two years nearly 1,000 people have been assisted and the forms are completed by hand. The new system will store the application forms for reference from year to year and allow easy review and approval.      General Manager Bob Speckman provided an update on SUMCO’s announcement that they will be closing their Salem facilities. He also reported that, on October 29, Salem Electric hosted five Armenians who were visiting through the United States Agency for International Development. The visit was arranged through BPA and the group brought along two Russian interpreters. Speckman said next week there will be a visitor here from Tokyo who is interested in Salem Electric’s Member Assistance Program.      Action Items: Beach reported that he and Ennor had met with Speckman on September 28 to review the board policies booklet. Following a discussion and several questions, it was agreed that the board would receive a complete bold and strike through version of the booklet as soon as possible before next month’s meeting.      Berger inquired about the impact of SUMCO on our 2004 budget. Speckman said the budget already reflects a 60% loss of load from SUMCO in 2004. They recently informed Salem Electric that they will probably operate at current levels through 2004. Ennor asked what assumptions are made, in the proposed budget, as to BPA rates. Speckman said assumptions are not made regarding rates. A motion was made and carried to approve the 2004 budget as presented.      The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Carl Beach Secretary/Treasurer
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As reported in the December 2003 issue of The Info Bulletin, your Salem Electric (SE) Board of Directors has approved a scholarship program for our members. The Directors are well aware of the rising costs of college tuition and these scholarships are a way for us to recognize the achievements of our members and their families.       The program provides ten $1,000 scholarships based on the following criteria: Applicants must reside in the SE service area. Applicants must be a full-time (12 hours) student in any grade level of any university, college, community college or for-profit post-secondary institution eligible for Title IV Federal funds. Applicants are eligible to apply and receive scholarships each year, but priority will be given to those who have not been a past recipient. SE staff, board members and their immediate family members are ineligible.      The Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) will administer the program and select the recipients based on the applicant’s community and school activities, academic promise, and quality of application and essays.      You have several options when applying for the SE scholarship including: 1.  Visit the OSAC website (www.osac.state.or.us), click on the photo of the scholarship application and follow the steps. Applications can be printed and mailed with the required activity chart, essays and transcripts or the application can be submitted online and backup documents can be mailed. 2. Pick up an application at your high school counseling office. 3. Contact Salem Electric (503 362-3601 or se@salemelectric.com) and request an application. 4. Stop by our office at 633 7th Street NW and pick up an application.      Remember, you must meet the application criteria to be considered for a scholarship. The Directors look forward to recognizing the ten successful applicants.  Thanks for your interest. Jerry Berger Director
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