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T.J. Garner Fulton County REMC Chief Operating Officer/Energy Advisor It’s all for the members T.J. Garner has worked for an electric cooperative for about five years. While that may not seem like a long time, he’s gone from fixing water heaters and helping consumers with high bill complaints to being the right hand of the CEO as chief operating officer. Yet, he still visits face-to-face with consumers investigating high bill complaints at their homes, and that’s what he loves about working for Fulton County REMC in northern Indiana. “I’m still working as the energy advisor,” says Garner. “We’re a small cooperative; that’s the nice thing about this job. I love helping our members. If I can help them save $5 a month on their utility bill, that means a lot to me.” Before coming to Fulton County REMC, Garner was a plumber and then worked in a local school district and as the facility director. Though he was a member himself of the electric cooperative and had grown up receiving power from the cooperative, he wasn’t aware of the importance of the member-consumer — that cooperative difference — when he became the cooperative’s member services technician. His supervisor instilled in him the importance of the consumer. “I'm fortunate because he showed me what members were all about, and he really drove that home. That's stuck with me since.” When that supervisor retired in 2019, Garner moved up into his role as manager of member services. Along with taking on a supervisory role over two technicians, he was able to do what became a favorite part of his job: working with the community youth in the 4-H electric program. “Teaching those fourth-grade kids how to build a circuit board is probably my favorite thing, that interaction with kids.” Garner was elevated to the COO when the position was created in 2020 to assist a CEO nearing retirement. But while Garner was helping run the operations, he was also still working closely with the consumers. “I enjoy calls from consumers,” he said, “even if it’s a compliant. I like to try to resolve the problem. I don’t want an unhappy member.” Garner is kind of an “old soul” when it comes to electric cooperatives because cooperative values harken back to values many other businesses today seem to have lost sight of — that is caring for the consumer and the community they serve. Garner said it’s incredibly important that cooperatives, as they grow and evolve, don’t lose sight of those original core values. And, for a guy who’s been at a co-op for a relatively short time, he’s now sounding like most folks who’ve come to work for one. “Now that I’m in a co op, I don't ever see leaving a co op.” CAREER SUMMARY T.J. Garner started at an electric cooperative about five years ago fixing water heaters and helping consumers with high bill complaints. Today, he’s at the right hand of the CEO as chief operating officer, but he loves that he’s retained his role as an energy advisor and still meets face-to-face with consumers helping them reduce their energy use. TIMELINE May 2017 — Hired at Fulton County REMC as member services technician. Repaired water heaters, investigated and helped resolve high bill complaints. 2019 — Promoted to manager of member services. Continued in the same duties and supervised two other technicians while also becoming an energy advisor, 4-H electric program instructor and taking care of other needs that arose. October 2020 — Promoted to chief operating officer. Assisted the CEO in the daily operations of the cooperative and maintained his role as an energy advisor meeting with consumers.

Be prepared for spring’s fickle foul weather Spring is a fickle season that brings nature’s renewal of buds and blooms to the trees and fields and also brings dark, powerful rolling storms that can wreak havoc. From 2016 through 2020, the National Weather Service recorded 28 deaths, 133 injuries and over $64 million in property and crop damage from weather events in Indiana alone. Weather disasters can occur year-round, but most of the worst storms Indiana receives come in the spring. “While not all damage can be prevented, being prepared can minimize damage and reduce injury or death,” said Brandon Linville, Director of Operations at Southeastern Indiana REMC. Here are some tips from your electric cooperative for staying safe before and after a storm hits. Before the storm Make sure your cell phone is charged. Consider purchasing an external battery charger for your phone to charge it without electricity. Have a battery-operated radio available so you can stay updated on the latest weather watches and warnings. Unplug appliances and other electrical items, such as computers. Damage can occur from power surges caused by nearby lightning strikes. Have an emergency kit ready and create a family communication plan. Following the storm If you are driving and come upon fallen power lines, turn around. Never drive over or around fallen lines. If a downed power line falls on your vehicle, stay in the vehicle. Call 911. Exit only if your life is in immediate danger from a fire or other reason. Then, jump clear of your vehicle being certain to never touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time; then shuffle away keeping your feet together at all times. While checking for damage outside your home, be aware of hazards from exposed nails, broken glass, and broken tree branches dangling on other limbs. To avoid the chance of a fire or explosion, use a flashlight, instead of a candle or torch, to inspect your home in the dark. Since downed power lines could still be energized, do not touch them or any objects in contact with them. Call 911 to report the downed lines. When the spring storms arrive, know how to keep yourself, your family and your property safe from harm during a severe storm. Tips for safely cleaning up after a storm Wear proper safety material. As you are cleaning up, wear proper protection to prevent injury. Work gloves, safety glasses, heavy-duty work shirt with long sleeves, work pants, and steel-toe work boots are a good idea if you are clearing large amounts of broken, splintered or sharp debris. Stay away from power lines. Always assume a downed power line is live. Downed power lines pose a particularly dangerous threat in areas where individuals are clearing fallen trees and branches from roads and lawns. Let the professionals handle this job. It's not worth the risk. If you see a downed power line that is sparking or on fire, call your electric utility immediately. Stay away from damaged buildings or structures. If a building has been subjected to flood waters or high winds, it may not be structurally safe. It's best to stay away from these types of structures until professionals can assess the extent of the damage. Never operate gasoline-powered equipment indoors. Gas engines emit carbon monoxide — an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas you should never breathe. Be prepared for spring storms Are you prepared when a storm hits? Here are some helpful tips to keep you, your loved ones and your property safe. Have an emergency kit ready and create a family communication plan before a storm hits. Program the number of your electric utility into your cell phone. This will make it easier to report a power outage. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity. Use with caution. If you notice frayed wiring or sparks, or smell a burning odor, shut off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker immediately. Know how to properly use portable generators if you lose power during the storm.

The 2022 session of the Indiana General Assembly is back in the first week of the second half. Check out this week's update. Each week, we'll give you an inside look at what happened at the Statehouse the previous week and how legislative actions can impact your local electric cooperative. To stay up to date on legislative matters that impact your cooperative, sign up to be an electric cooperative advocate today. https://action.indianaec.org/register-to-be-an-advocate/

The fourth week of the 2022 session of the Indiana General Assembly is now complete. Check out this week's update Each week, we’ll give you an inside look at what happened at the Statehouse the previous week and how legislative actions can impact your local electric cooperative. To stay up to date on legislative matters that impact your cooperative, sign up to be an electric cooperative advocate today. https://action.indianaec.org/register-to-be-an-advocate/

February may be the shortest month, but it’s packed with special observances like Presidents’ Day, Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, in addition to a host of unofficial “national” days you’ve probably never heard of like “National Tater Tot Day.” But they all have something in common. They were created to draw attention to a particular issue or theme. Valentine’s Day may seem like an observance originally created by a greeting card company, but over time, it’s become a widely celebrated day generating millions of dollars spent on flowers, candy and of course, greeting cards professing our love. But Valentine’s Day isn’t just for the lovebirds. It’s also the perfect time to let our friends, family, co-workers and other special people in our lives know we care about them––with or without a store-bought greeting card. So, in that vein, we’ve created our list of top five reasons why we love serving you, the members of Southeastern Indiana REMC. We love serving our members because without you, the co-op wouldn’t exist. Our purpose is to provide you with reliable, responsible and safe electricity. Simply put, SEIREMC exists to serve you. That’s why we were formed in 1939––to bring power to our local area when for-profit utilities would not. You enable us to complete our mission by supporting our efforts to give back. A major part of our mission is to serve our community and look after the greater good. With your assistance, we’re able to help the most vulnerable members of our community through programs like Operation RoundUp. Members of our co-op also serve on the board of directors. They provide guidance for setting co-op priorities and helping make big decisions. Because our board members live in the area, they’re able to serve as the pulse of the larger community and identify immediate and long-term needs. The broader co-op membership provides helpful input through their vote on director elections and by weighing in on co-op and community issues. You help us get it right. SEIREMC members are great about keeping us in the know. We do our best to avoid power outages, but Mother Nature can occasionally throw us a curveball; our members are quick to report any power disruptions and are patient as our crews work to safely restore power. We know outages are frustrating, and your support as we work through storms means so much to our employees. We also appreciate your feedback on co-op programs and services like our Generator Program, our Vegetation Management Program, and more. Your opinions are critical for the co-op’s success, and we thank you for that. You and other SEIREMC members make up the community we serve ––and for us, it’s all about community. Our employees live and work here too and care about our community the same way you do. We’re invested and work to help it thrive. That’s why SEIREMC donates to local non-profits and scholarship funds. It’s also why we invest in economic development, and why you’ll see our employees volunteering at local schools and other charitable and community endeavors. As a co-op, our mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community and look after its long-term interests. We love serving our members and our local community, and just like you, want to see it continue to thrive.

Today, more Americans are working from home than ever before. More time spent at home means more energy used throughout the day. If you’re punching the clock from home, there are small steps you can take to reduce your energy use and save on electric bills. Here are five easy ways to save energy when working from home. 1. Use a smart power strip. Plugging in your most-used devices, like computers, monitors and routers, to a smart power strip ensures these devices aren’t drawing power when they’re not in use. Smart power strips also give you the option to select which devices should stay in “always on” mode. 2. Unplug your least-used equipment. If your home office includes equipment like printers and scanners, you’re probably not using these electronics every day. In this case, go ahead and unplug your least-used electronics and devices, since many of these draw energy even when they’re not being used. 3. Choose ENERGY STAR®-certified office equipment. If you’re looking to purchase new equipment for your workspace, look for the ENERGY STAR® label to ensure you’re getting the most energy efficient features. Computers, monitors, imaging equipment and other office electronics that receive the ENERGY STAR® rating include power management features to make saving energy easy, and most are designed to run cooler and last longer. 4. Flip the switch and use natural light instead. It’s still chilly out there, so take advantage of natural light and additional warmth from the sun. When you’re working during the day, open blinds, curtains and other window coverings to let natural light in––and don’t forget to turn off the lights to reduce energy use! 5. Lower the thermostat. Home heating makes up a significant portion of your energy bills. Turn the thermostat down a couple degrees during the day to reduce energy use and save money. The Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat to 68 degrees or cooler during winter months. You’re more likely to stay focused and alert when it’s cooler in your home, so all the more reason to mind the thermostat. Working from home doesn’t have to take a toll on your energy bills, and whether you’re working remotely or not, these practical tips can help everyone reduce their energy use. Contact Southeastern Indiana REMC if you have questions about your bills or want additional information about saving energy at home.

Stay in the car! On a late wintry Saturday afternoon, Nick and Blake decided to take Nick’s car to a movie — despite falling snow and parental advice to stay home. Moments later, where the county road zigged and zagged a mile past their neighborhood, Nick’s car did neither. It slid straight off and bumped into an electric cooperative utility pole. The car’s air bags exploded, but both teens were unhurt. Then, they did something that could have turned this property damage accident into a multiple fatality: they stepped out of the car. “Stay in the car, stay in the car, stay in the car!” is the mantra Southeastern Indiana REMC wants drivers to remember. “When a power line is involved, even a minor accident can become tragic,” said Brandon Linville, Director of Operations at SEIREMC. “It cannot be stressed enough that staying inside the vehicle, and warning passersby to stay away, too, is the safest route. Only after a first responder arrives on scene and says it’s OK, should you get out.” However, staying inside the vehicle may go against a driver’s first inclination. You want to get out and check the car. But stepping out of the car immediately after striking a utility pole may KILL YOU. Here’s why: Power lines can fall. When a pole is struck, power lines can fall, and hardware can break loose from its insulated perches atop the pole. Fallen power lines can still be energized. Even touching the ground, power lines can still be carrying 7,200 volts or more. They may not spark or buzz. Fallen power lines are hard to see. Silhouetted against the sky or glistening in sunlight atop poles, power lines may seem easy to see. But when knocked down and twisted with tall grass or trees as a background, especially at night, power lines are almost impossible to see. Electricity seeks the quickest path to ground. If you get out of the car and touch a live power line and the ground, you become that path. That amount of electricity passing through you can kill you instantly. If you are alive, you are safe. It’s not easy to know if power lines have broken loose and are on your car. But if you are alive, you are not that deadly “path to ground.” If you were in that path, you’d already be dead. Call 9-1-1. After hitting a pole, call 9-1-1. Tell them you hit a pole. And wait patiently. Tell passersby to stay back. Wait till you know it’s safe before exiting. Making a safe escape from downed power lines If your car comes in contact with a utility pole, power lines may have fallen. If that happens, stay in the car and call for help. A fallen power line could still be energized and could be energizing your car. If you step from the car, you could become electricity’s path to ground and be electrocuted. Only if the accident has caused a fire or there is another immediate threat to your safety should you exit the car. To be safe, here is how to you must exit: Open the door without touching the metal of the door frame. With both feet together, hop out and away from the vehicle so no part of your body touches the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Maintain your balance. Keeping your feet together, slowly shuffle away so that the toe of one foot moves forward along the length of the other foot. Keep both feet in constant contact and always touching the ground. Keep shuffling 30 or more feet until you are away from the car and power line. Be watchful for low hanging power lines or lines on the ground. What to do if you hit a utility pole If your vehicle comes in contact with a utility pole or a downed power line, the most important thing is to stay inside the car! Stepping out could electrocute you if your car is touching energized lines. While you wait for help: DO gather your wits. DON’T open the car door or reach out the window. DO call 9-1-1 if you have your cell phone. Tell them you’ve struck a utility pole and power lines may have fallen. DO tell passersby to stay back. They might walk right into a fallen energized line.

Brittany Sams LaGrange County REMC Manager, Marketing and Strategy The co-op family When Brittany Sams was hired as an accountant at LaGrange County REMC, her college degrees and experience prepared her for accounting and business, of course. But no education or previous experience prepared her for the not-for-profit business model and the many accounting differences that come with a consumer-owned utility. The plan was for her to be transitioned in and mentored by the REMC’s retiring finance manager. However, the finance manager’s retirement came the week before Sams started. That’s when Sams fortunately experienced another cooperative concept for which she was unprepared: the cooperative principle of “cooperation among cooperatives.” The steep and bumpy learning curve she faced alone was smoothed by accountants from other Indiana REMCs, near and far, who offered her advice and mentored her. “It was very unusual,” she recalled. “I couldn’t believe another company was willing to help. People were so helpful and open: ‘This is how we do it.’; ‘This is who we use.’ It’s just something you don’t see every day. Most keep that kind of information a secrect; you don’t share it with other companies.” “It was eye-opening. It’s an amazing culture. Cooperatives all over the state are willing to help each other. You don’t even realize this network exists until you’re a part of it.” Sams quickly moved from staff accountant into a more strategic role as manager of finance and administration and also handled human resources. Today, just over eight years down the road from when she started at the REMC, she is the REMC’s manager of marketing and strategy. The new role, which she’s been in for just over a year, includes working with the long-term strategic development with both the original electrical portion of the cooperative and its new broadband division. From her own experiences when she was the new kid on the cooperative block, she now works closely, too, with succession planning within the REMC. And, she strives to help other employees develop their leadership skills and grow from within the local REMC and through that broad statewide network that came to her aid. “People say the cooperative culture is all one big family,” she noted, and she agrees with that. “That’s because the cooperative truly tries to do the right thing. We want to do the right thing for our community and consumers, make good decisions on their behalf, and run the cooperative in a positive way.” CAREER SUMMARY Brittany Sams had a steep learning curve when she became the accountant at an REMC and the retiring accountant left just before she started, but a tight-knit network of employees from other REMCs mentored her through. Today, those experiences have put her into strategic management positions that help the cooperative better meet the needs of consumers and help its employees grow and develop, as well. TIMELINE October 2013 — Hired at LaGrange County REMC as staff accountant. Responsible for all accounting functions. January 2014 — Promoted to Manager, Finance and Administration. Responsible for a team of three; supervised all accounting functions and human resources. January 2021 — Became Manager, Marketing and Strategy. Responsible for a team of five; supervises all consumer accounting duties; strategizes, evaluates and creates department budgets and goals; creates, manages and implements marketing, communication and education programs for the electric and broadband divisions of the REMC; oversees human resources.

The third week of the 2022 session of the Indiana General Assembly is now complete. Check out this week’s update. Each week, we’ll give you an inside look at what happened at the Statehouse the previous week and how legislative actions can impact your local electric cooperative. To stay up to date on legislative matters that impact your cooperative, sign up to be an electric cooperative advocate today. https://action.indianaec.org/register-to-be-an-advocate/

Southeastern Indiana REMC’s 83rd Annual Meeting will be held at South Ripley High School on Saturday, March 26, 2022. Doors open and registration begins at 11 a.m., and the business meeting begins at 1 p.m. This event will return to the traditional in-person format, with a hybrid voting process for the director election which allows mail-in and online voting prior to the event and onsite voting during registration on the day of the event. Attending members will receive a free energy efficiency kit (while supplies last) and enjoy musical entertainment, live-line demonstrations, an energy expo, and an opportunity to win prizes. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and there will be a separate children’s program during the business meeting.

CO-OP PROGRAMS HELP YOU DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON — AND BEYOND “The holidays.” I love everything about this time of year. During this time of reflection, I am grateful for my own family as well as my co-op family. At Southeastern Indiana REMC, we’re driven by a sense of mission and purpose. Our team feels a strong connection to our community and our members because we live here, too. While many community-focused programs and activities ramp up this time of year, we have several programs and services in place to help our members year-round. I’d like to remind you about some of these offerings in hopes you’ll find them beneficial. We hope you’ll take advantage of SmartHub, an app that empowers you to monitor, manage and pay your energy bill conveniently through your phone. Another service we offer is prepaid metering, which is intended to help budget your monthly energy costs. Southeastern Indiana REMC members can pay for electricity before it’s used, then use the electricity until the credit expires. We also offer energy efficiency programs to save you money and energy. Our Operation Round Up program helps groups and organizations with a variety of community-focused programs and projects. By simply “rounding up” energy bills to the next whole dollar amount, members are helping to improve “quality of place” in the communities we all live and work in. Quality of life is important. That’s why we take seriously our mission to safely provide reliable electricity and diversified services to the members and communities we serve. Programs such as our vegetation management and load management programs help us ensure system reliability, and diversified services such as our Generac generator and SEI Fiber services keep you comfortable and connected to work, home, school and each other. We also invest in our local youth in a number of ways. Southeastern Indiana REMC provides $1,500 in scholarships for local students each year. Through our Youth Tour program, we send high school students to Washington, D.C., for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action. We also send middle school students to Camp Kilowatt at Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana, for traditional outdoor camp activities with environmental education, electrical safety practices and cooperative business education. At the heart of all of these programs is you — the members we proudly serve. Looking back, I’m grateful for so many wonderful community partners and for the positive impact we can continue to make. This holiday season, I wish you and your loved ones peace, joy and prosperity. Speaking on behalf of our team at Southeastern Indiana REMC, I know the future will be bright because of you. KEITH MATHEWS General Manager

Shooting near electrical equipment can be costly and deadly Hunting season brings outdoorsmen of all skill levels and experience into rural Indiana, often to unfamiliar areas. While most hunters follow safe hunting practices, Indiana’s electric cooperatives remind all those afield to be mindful of their surroundings and to be aware of electric power lines and equipment in the air and electrical equipment on the ground. “Skilled hunters understand the potential hazards of discharging a firearm and would never shoot blindly toward electric infrastructure,” said Brandon Linville, Director of Operations at Southeastern Indiana REMC. “But there have been instances over the years of accidental damage and intentional vandalism to some power poles and hardware.” Electrical equipment damaged by gunshot is costly to the utility and to customers relying on that power. The damage can even spark a fire. SEIREMC encourages all hunters and gun owners to be aware of electrical equipment in their surroundings while enjoying the great outdoors. Here are things to keep in mind: Never shoot near or toward overhead power lines, power poles or substations. A stray bullet can cause damage to equipment. Sometimes the damage, such as to an insulator, isn’t noticed until it rains. Then it can cause an outage or a fire. Familiarize yourself with the location of power lines and equipment on land where you are hunting. Landowners are encouraged to remind those hunting on their property to be aware of power lines and other electrical equipment. Damage to the conductor can happen, possibly dropping a line from its perch. If it’s dry and the electricity goes to ground, there is the possibility of electrocution and fire. Be especially careful in wooded areas where power lines may not be as visible. Take notice of warning signs and keep clear of electrical equipment. Do not use utility poles or towers to support equipment used in your hunting activity or for supporting deer stands. Energized lines and equipment on the poles can conduct electricity to anyone who comes in contact with them, causing shock or electrocution. “We want everyone to enjoy the great outdoors and all rural Indiana has to offer,” noted Linville. “Electrical equipment can be found even in remote areas and is sometimes hard to see. Please just be aware of what’s out there.” Electrical safety tips for hunters This hunting season, electric cooperatives encourage all consumers to be aware of electrical equipment and take necessary precautions while hunting: Take notice of posted warning signs and keep clear of electrical equipment. Do not shoot at or near power lines or insulators. Know where power lines and equipment are located on the land where you hunt. Be especially careful in wooded areas where power lines may not be as visible. Do not place deer stands on utility poles or climb poles. Energized lines and equipment can conduct electricity to anyone who comes in contact with them, causing shock or electrocution. Do not place decoys on power lines or other utility equipment. Any non-electrical equipment attached to a pole can pose an obstruction and serious hazards to our line crews. Source: NRECA General tips hunters should keep in mind It is not only important for hunters to adhere to electrical safety rules, but it is also very important follow basic hunters’ safety rules. Here are a few to keep in mind: Always carry these emergency items: first aid kit, cell phone, whistle and flashlight. Tell someone where you will be hunting and what time you plan to return. Familiarize yourself with the area you want to hunt. Wear appropriate clothing: enhance your visibility to other hunters by wearing brightly colored apparel, pack sufficient clothing to be prepared for weather changes, and dress in layers. Always be alert when hunting near developed areas and trails since other recreationalists are also in the wooded areas. Unless you are 100 percent sure what you're shooting at, never take the shot. Tree stands are the leading cause of hunting injuries. If you use one, make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions and inspect the stand for wear before use. Wear a full body harness. Obtain permission from landowners if hunting on private land. If you're using a portable electric generator on your hunting trip, make sure you do not run it in a confined area like a cabin or RV. Make sure it's used outside where there is plenty of ventilation.