With the uncertainty we faced last year, we erred on the side of caution and elected to hold our annual meeting virtually. We offered our members the chance to vote early in our lobby rather than risk having a large gathering. We are happy to say this year looks a lot different and we are excited to share what we’ve accomplished with you in person.

Many new opportunities came our way in 2021 and we look forward to showcasing these advancements at the meeting. For example, during the past year, we have been updating our software system to better meet the needs of our members and employees.

 It may not seem like such a big undertaking, but it truly has been an entire year’s worth of training, learning, teaching, and implementation for our dedicated staff. I can’t thank them enough for the hundreds of hours of work that went into this conversion. Throughout the process, they’ve continued to provide outstanding service to our members. I’ve been pleased to see that our employees are already reaping the benefits of this new operating system. I know that our members will also greatly benefit from this upgrade.

The updated software offers us options we never dreamed would be possible with the old system such as the SmartHub application. This app will allow you to report outages, pay your bill, and look at your electric use history — all at the touch of your phone, tablet, or PC. Make sure you visit our SmartHub table during the annual meeting for more information and registration instructions.

During the past year, it became clear that the communities surrounding us could use some help in their efforts to help others. Considering that, we have started a new program called Operation Round Up to assist local charities and non-profit organizations.

This program is simple in concept but packs a considerable punch. Each member can choose to round up his/her bill to the nearest dollar each month. If your monthly bill were $80.50, it would round up to $81 for the month. That extra 50 cents would then be deposited into the Operation Round Up account. On average, members end up contributing around $6 for the entire year. 

Operation Round Up is an easy way for you to give back to the community, and all you need to do is let us know you are interested in signing up. Individually, $6 might not seem like much but collectively we can all make a difference in our community. You can conveniently visit the Operation Round Up table at the annual meeting and we can get your account set up.

In addition to community initiatives, we are committed to youth programs. Last year the Youth Tour and Camp Kilowatt were canceled due to COVID. We intend to continue the tradition of sending local youth to these programs now that they have resumed. We are also advocates for early childhood literacy. We have taken on a branch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for the Jay County area. Programs that support young people are essential to our communities’ vitality, growth, and sustainability. 

All the upgrades, improvements, and newest initiatives we have taken over on the past year are just the tip of the iceberg. We will continue to move forward with the latest technology, youth programs, and community-minded advancements available as we work tirelessly for our members.

Jay County REMC is your co-op. As always, we will work hard each day to make this an organization that meets your standards and those of the community surrounding you.