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 SE's
People:
Lisa Wordeman
If you were
hiring for a "customer service" staff position, what sort of person would you
seek? Would you want somebody who can understand and respond quickly and
appropriately to a variety of people? Would you also want someone with
intelligence, compassion, patience and diplomacy? We'd have to agree with you
on all of those traits.
And of course, there's the work ethic. An employer
looks for a person with self-discipline, dedication, and community spirit. Does
that sound like a tough position to fill? It is, and that's why we're proud of
our customer service staff, because they all have very high standards. So when
we went looking for another person to join that team, we were pleased to find
Lisa Wordeman.
Lisa was born in Canby in 1974 and lived there
through high school. This past summer she graduated from Western Oregon
University. She also got married and moved from Monmouth to Salem. Her husband,
Jeff, is finishing up his degree in law enforcement at the same university. In
fact they met there - she was the resident assistant in the dorm in which they
both resided, and eventually became a hall director.
A hall director is a difficult job, somewhat akin to
being a customer service representative. To some, you're a mentor and friend,
to others you're an enforcer. To make things harder, the hall director is a
leader, responsible for people pretty much your own age.
But Lisa had lots of experience before taking the
position. During high school, she had organized and volunteered for a club that
helped elderly people in Canby. She worked some summers for the local utility
board, and others she worked as a camp counselor. Her major in college was
social science, with an emphasis on psychology and sociology.
"This is very much a
people-oriented,
problem solving job."
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After graduation, while looking for "meaningful"
work in the social service area, Lisa worked at a pizza restaurant. Having
inadequate experience for state and county jobs, she decided to look elsewhere.
That's when she saw the want ad for Salem Electric's customer service
department.
"Initially, I didn't think I'd be able to use my
education at an electric utility," Lisa said. But her first visit and interview
told her otherwise. This is very much a people-oriented, problem solving
job," she said. After working here for only a few months now, Lisa is also very
pleased that "Salem Electric has a reputation for taking good care of employees
and making them feel welcome."
Lisa exhibits the kind of outgoing and giving spirit
that we like in employees. Already she's looking to volunteer at local senior
centers and has signed up to help the A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village
construction project. "It's important to give what you've got to help others.
The way I see it, if I don't help out now, how can I ask for help later?
I'll feel better knowing I've done my part," Lisa said.
Both she and Jeff want children someday. As a way to
test the waters, and help out a struggling teenager, the couple recently agreed
to be foster parents. The experience was rewarding for Lisa and Jeff, who
learned about their parenting and coping skills. It was also rewarding to the
girl. She wrote her surrogate parents a number of notes, just to say thanks for
the help.
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Recycling helps the environment by reducing the
energy it takes to manufacture new products, also reducing solid waste and
pollution.
In 1997 Salem Electric recycled 10,039 pounds of
waste paper through Garten Recycling Services. That adds up to:
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Saved fiber equivalent to 85 pulp trees.
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Reduced air emissions at paper mills by 2,509
pounds.
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Reduced water consumption at mills by 60,234
gallons.
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Saved energy equivalent to 481 gallons of
gasoline.
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Avoided cost associated with hauling away 25
cubic yards of waste.
And that's not all, we also recycle materials used
in our construction projects, landscape debris and many more items.
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Is it Really Off?
If you turn off the switch, you don't use any more
electricity. Well, at least that's what you think.
In many instances your electronic appliances
continue to use a small amount of energy to maintain a "standby" mode, even
when they're switched off.
Your TVs, VCRs, cordless phones, answering machines
and many other things will cost about $2.00 a month while on standby.
In most cases, if these appliances are unplugged
they must be reprogrammed to operate properly.
Electricity used while on standby:
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Watts per hour
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Cordless Phone
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2
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Video Game Machines
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5
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Answering Machine
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5
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Television
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6
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VCR
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10
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Compact Stereo System
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10
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 One
of our many customer service goals is to answer your call by the second ring.
And... you'll always talk to a human being. No
"press 1 to talk to billing." No "please hold and your call will be answered in
the order in which it was received."... real people talking to real customers.
Give us a call... 362-3601.
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Don't forget to let us know your new address.
As a member of our cooperative you may be entitled to receive a
payment for your "portion" of our margin for the years you were on our service.
Later this year we will be refunding capital credits for members
who were on our service in 1977.
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EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION
Our employees carry company photo
identification. Do not hesitate to ask to see identification before
admitting anyone to your premises. If you have any questions call our
office at 362-3601.
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