The author William A. Ward once wrote, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” In the spirit of this quote, I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your membership in our electric cooperative. Because of your connection to Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative (YVEC), we can make our communities a better place.
I generally use this column to provide updates on new projects and developments, report on the progress of ongoing initiatives or to just give industry news. We share these updates so that all our consumer members have a window into our priorities, progress, and challenges. However, during this season of giving thanks, I think it’s equally important to let you and other consumer members of YVEC know just what an impact you have on our Co-op and the greater community, likely in many ways you may not realize.
Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs, and many others we provide, because of you! You empower the Co-op through your membership and through your participation in and support of these programs.
As part of the cooperative business model, 1 of our core principles is “Concern for Community.” While our priority is always to provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy, we view our role in the community as a catalyst for good.
We are purposeful in partnering with local groups like Family Service, The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and are very proud of the work being done through our Operation Round Up Program. We also work closely with our local schools to provide safety demonstrations, over $30,000 in college and vocational scholarships annually, participate in job fairs, and in the annual Youth Tour where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington D. C. for a weeklong immersion to experience democracy in action. Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs, and many others we provide, because of you! You empower the Co-op through your membership and through your participation in and support of these programs. (64949000)
When you attend co-ops events, alert us to problems, and provide suggestions, you help us to improve operations and thereby better serve our co-op membership. Because we are locally governed by members of our community, we can get a 1st-hand perspective on community priorities, which enables us to make more informed decisions on long-term investments, such as equipment and technology upgrades.
We are thankful that our cooperative board members carve out time to attend important training sessions, participate in planning meetings and keep abreast of industry trends. This investment in time results in better informed advisors that serve the coop’s interests in a way that our consumer-members expect and deserve.
On a more personal note, we appreciate the countless acts of kindness our line workers and other employees receive when they are working in severe weather and dangerous conditions. Our employees are thankful for your patience and consideration when we are trying to restore power during challenging situations.
YVEC was originally established over 85 years ago to bring electricity to our area when no one else could. The Cooperative reflects our local communities and their evolving needs. Together, let’s continue making our little corner of the world a better place. We can’t do it without you, and for that, we’re thankful for your membership.
Brandon J. Wittman
Chief Executive Officer