W hen you think about us, you hopefully associate us with the local community. Our

board of directors, leadership team and employees all live and work right here in the communities we serve. You may also realize that we are actually part of a much larger cooperative network that brings additional value, tools and knowledge that benefit you as consumer-members of the co-op.COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES When a severe weather event is predicted for our region, we call on our sister co-ops in areas unaffected by the approaching storm. Through a system of neighboring, regional and state mutual aid, we coordinate with other co-ops to bring additional trucks, equipment and manpower to our area. We work together and share resources in order to restore power to our community, and we certainly reciprocate by assisting other elec-tric co-ops when they request help.

A defining characteristic of a coopera-tive has always been its commitment to the nationwide Seven Cooperative Principles, which are rooted in democratic community and economic principles. A collaborative effort among all of America’s electric coop-eratives reflects principle 6 as “cooperation among cooperatives.”

Another area in which we benefit from cooperation among cooperatives is cyberse-curity. Through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Rural Cooperative Cybersecurity Capabilities Program (RC3), we can access training, resources and tools to strengthen our efforts to combat cyber threats.

Our ability to tap into the larger electric cooperative network and access tools, prod-ucts, resources and leading practices from

across the nation ultimately makes our co-op and community stronger and more secure. GLOBAL IMPACTLocally-based electric cooperatives are found around the globe and have been created and/or benefited from the lessons learned and the experience of co-ops in electrification of rural areas in the United States.

NRECA International has developed access to reliable and affordable electricity to 120 million people in 43 countries. These efforts have been recently furthered through the support of Colorado Rural Electric Association along with other sister statewide organizations.

Hundreds of lineworkers, engineers and other co-op employees from other states have served as volunteers to bring first-time access to electricity and train local partners to help their utilities be sustainable in their own communities. As a part of this effort, we have been proud to send three lineman to Guatemala over the past two years. All have returned humbled by the experience and are more tightly connected to the prin-ciples of their pioneering predecessors when lights were turned on for the first time in southeastern Colorado.

November is a time of year for reflec-tion and giving thanks. It is only fitting to express gratitude for our sister co-ops that, when needed, enable us to better serve you and our broader community. When elec-tric co-ops collaborate, we strengthen each other and the communities we serve — and that is something in which to be truly thankful. Best wishes from all of our team for a happy Thanksgiving!

JACK JOHNSTON

NOVEMBER 2019

MAILING ADDRESSP.O. Box 521

La Junta, CO 81050-0521

STREET ADDRESS27850 Harris RoadLa Junta, CO 81050

ph 719-384-2551 tf 800-332-8634 fax 719-384-7320 web www.secpa.com

facebook.com/secpaonline

Our primary mission is to provide high-quality, reliable

electric service at a reasonable cost to our members, improve

their quality of life through new technologies and services, be

a visible and active member of the community and serve our

members with respect, courtesy and responsiveness.

SOUTHEAST COLORADO POWER ASSOCIATION IS AN

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER

SOUTHEAST COLORADOPOWER ASSOCIATION

WE’RE THANKFUL FOR OUR SISTER COOPERATIVESBY JACK JOHNSTON CEO

7COLORADO COUNTRY LIFENOVEMBER 2019

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

SAVE THE DATESECPA’s Annual Meeting will be Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Springfield, Colorado

S outheast Colorado Power Association is once again making a series of scholarships

available to area high school seniors.SECPA is offering three $1,000

scholarships. Eligible applicants must be high school seniors grad-uating in 2020 who plan to attend a two- or four-year college. Students’ parents must be members of Southeast Colorado Power Association.

Students interested in applying for a scholarship are asked to submit the completed SECPA application form (available on the SECPA website at http://secpa.com/our-community/scholar-ships) along with a school transcript, letters of recommendation and a short letter addressing why they deserve the scholarship and what their major will be in school. Applicants are also asked to submit a current, high resolution digital photo to Debbie Howard at debbieh@secpa.com with their application.

Additionally, the SECPA website has information regarding other scholarships SECPA administers through Tri-State Generation and Transmission, as well as Basin Electric. Local students are eligible to apply for both of those scholarships. Tri-State Generation offers one $1,000 scholarship and Basin Electric provides one $1,000 scholarship.

Applications for the SECPA scholarships are due no later than FEBRUARY 3, 2020.

For additional information, please visit the SECPA website or contact Debbie Howard at 719-383-1314.

SECPA $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS

If you find your name in this issue as follows (WIN* your name, your account number), please contact Southeast Colorado Power Association at 719-384-2551 or 800-332-8634 to receive a credit on your next power bill.

Last month’s winner was Miles Martin.

You Could Be A Winner This Month

Fill the GapsCan you see your ceiling joists when you look in your attic? If you can, you need more insulation. Get insulation information at tinyurl.com/CO-Extension-Insulation.

8 COLORADO COUNTRY LIFENOVEMBER 2019

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

Pedal the Plains Rides Through SECPA Territory

Trim your holiday energy costs by choosing energy

efficient LED lights. LED holiday lights use

less energy and can last up to 40 seasons.

Source: energy.gov

Cool to RefuelWhen refueling backup generators, allow the engine to cool in order to prevent a fire should the gas tank overflow.

S ECPA board positions up for election in 2020 are District 5 — Otero County (incum-bent Director is Kevin Karney); District 4 — Western Baca and Eastern Las Animas counties (incumbent Director is Randy Phillips); and District 7 — Crowley County

(incumbent Director is Clint Anderson.) See map below. Director elections are for three-year terms, beginning April 2020 and ending March

2023, for Districts 4, 5 and 7.To be eligible to be a director: 1) a person must be a SECPA member and bona fide

resident of the district he or she is to represent, 2) cannot be an employee or have been an employee of SECPA or its subsidiary within the preceding five years and 3) cannot be employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise or business selling electric energy or supplies to SECPA. (Win* V W Arbuthnot acct #101790000)

Petitions must be signed by 15 bona fide members in the nominee’s district and must be returned no later than 5 p.m., DECEMBER 27, 2019. Petitions are available in all SECPA offices or on the website at http://secpa.com/annual-meeting-elections.

Petitions can be returned to Debbie Howard at any SECPA office, or mailed to SECPA, ATTN: Debbie Howard, PO Box 521, La Junta, CO 81050.

Accepting Petitions for SECPA Board Director Positions

November 2019

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

SECPA hosted a dinner for the Colorado Rural Electric Association bike team at the Longhorn Steakhouse in Springfield on Saturday, September 14. Left, left to right: SECPA Chief Executive Officer Jack Johnston, CREA Executive Director Kent Singer, SECPA Executive Assistant Debbie Howard, SECPA Board Director Truman Wright and SECPA Chief Operations Officer Mark Hall. Right, Tri-State Generation and Transmission’s POWER visits SECPA in Lamar during Pedal the Plains. Left to right: Foreman Mike Trumble, POWER and Journeyman Lineman Keenan Davis.

9COLORADO COUNTRY LIFENOVEMBER 2019

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

Youth Trips 2020ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORSWin a Trip to Washington, D.C., or a week at Leadership Camp at Glen Eden Resort!

T he National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Washington D.C. Youth Tour is June 18-25, 2020. High school students who are 16 by June 1 and whose fami-lies are Southeast Colorado Power Association members are eligible to apply to

go on the trip. The tour provides students with an eight-day adventure that offers in-depth exposure to the electric cooperative network while exploring our nation’s capital. The selected youth’s expenses, including airfare, lodging, meals and all tour admission fees, are paid by your local cooperative, Southeast Colorado Power. Activities during the trip include tours of the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, war memo-rials (Vietnam, Iwo Jima), Arlington National Cemetery, National Archives, the White House and Smithsonian museums; a Potomac River dinner and dance cruise; visits with Colorado’s U.S. senators and representatives; an NRECA Town Hall Meeting; and the chance to connect with students nationwide.

If you’re not chosen to attend the Washington, D.C., trip, you may be the recipient of a trip to Leadership Camp held at Glen Eden Resort, located just outside of Steamboat Springs. At this camp, held July 11-16, 2020, students from Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming will gather at a beautiful resort on the Elk River and spend

the week at an outstanding leadership camp. You’ll participate in activities to improve leadership skills and get an inside view of the state and national legislatures. There is plenty of time for swim parties, barbecues, dances and banquets during the week. Many of the attendees call this camp a “life-changing experience.”

For more information and applications, go to our website at http://secpa.com/related-links/youth-camps/ or contact Debbie Howard at 719-383-1314 or Telly Stanger at 719-383-1341. Applications must be received or postmarked by December 16, 2019. Send to SECPA, ATTN: Telly Stanger, PO Box 521, La Junta, CO 81050.

A week you will never forget!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

BYLAW REVISIONS

ARTICLE IV – DIRECTORSSECTION 3 – QualificationsAdded: (c) Is or has been an employee of the cooperative or its subsidiary within the preceding five (5) years.

RATIONALE: Allows for a period of detachment from the day-to-day operations of the co-op to the process of governance.

ARTICLE V – MEETING OF DIRECTORSSECTION 3 – Notice of Directors’ MeetingsAdded: Any member of the Board of Directors or a committee of the board may participate in a regular or special meeting of the board or committee by means of a conference telephone call or similar communications equipment, which allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by this means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

RATIONALE: Allows for the Board’s use of current communication technologies.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERSSECTION 10 – Powers, Duties and CompensationChanged: The powers, duties and compensation of officers, agents and employees, shall may be fixed by the Board of Directors.

RATIONALE: Allows for the Board to set the powers, duties and compensation within the co-op without mandating that the Board do so since some may be delegated to staff or addressed contractually.

The Board of Directors welcomes any questions or comments regarding these revisions by emailing bylawsrevision@secpa.com, visiting www.secpa.com/bylawsrevision or calling 719-363-1432.

10 COLORADO COUNTRY LIFENOVEMBER 2019

YOUR CO-OP NEWS