York Electric Cooperative, Inc.

We enjoyed gathering with you–3,373 members of the co-op family–catching up, hearing what you had to say and the good fellowship. Also, members donated 2,025 lbs. of food to PATH during the meeting. Thank you for making your co-op's canned food drive for PATH a huge success.

Early in the day, members of the Operation Round Up trust board helped get the food drive going with some canned goodness. The drive benefitted PATH (People Attempting to Help), Inc. With PATH volunteer Midge McAfee (right) are trustees (from left) Ethel Sutton, Anne Gilfillan and Johnny Howe.

Photos by Walter Allread

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2018 Annual Meeting »

In May, electric cooperatives across the country promote safety awareness to coincide with National Electric Safety Month. Every year, thousands of accidents occur due to shock hazards, and YEC, your cooperative, is committed to educating the public about potential electrical dangers in and around their homes.

In 2016, 475,000 structure fires (including residential fires) were reported in the U.S., causing 2,950 deaths, 12,775 injuries and $7.9 billion in property damage. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a residential fire was reported every 90 seconds. Many home fires occur when electrical equipment is outdated or improperly used.

Your energy source

It is crucial that you understand your home's electrical system and the safety concerns associated with the latest residential technologies before bringing them into your home. With newer technologies, such as solar panels, electric vehicles and more electrical gadgets in the home, people need to ensure they have an electrical system that's compatible with the increased load. Utilize your source of energy and information by contacting YEC at (803) 684-4248 or visit our website. Your cooperative is always here for you!

Making accidents disappear

YEC puts a lot of energy into educating the public about electricity. Recently over 500 students at three local elementary schools had an interesting lesson on electrical safety. Using magic tricks and comedy to hold the students' attention, magician Chris Dixon presented his Making Accidents Disappear program. The program teaches students to be aware of their surroundings, especially when electric wires and appliances are nearby.

"There is no performing art that is more universally loved among children than magic. I was excited that York Electric decided to sponsor this program again this year. Teaching electrical safety in a way that is memorable and fun for the students is a real passion of mine," Dixon noted.

At YEC, we are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent accidents and promote safety. We are always looking out for you! That's why we regularly offer safety demonstrations to students and other groups throughout our service area.

Through electrical safety awareness and education, we can all play a part in preventing electrical hazards and injuries in the future. Together let's plug into safety this May.

More than 7,250 members of electric cooperatives around South Carolina, including more than 550 members of York Electric Cooperative, are already helping their fellow cooperative members to reduce energy use and costs through our Beat the Peak program.

In April, the cooperatives introduced a new website to encourage more members to join in this truly cooperative effort. By joining the Beat the Peak program, you are teaming up with the co-op to save on power costs for everyone. If you'd like to join us, sign up at BeatThePeak.com.

By lowering total energy use when it is most expensive, the co-op can lower total power costs. Because electric cooperatives are not-for-profit companies, the savings can be passed on to all the co-op's members. As BeatThePeak.com also details, here are some powerful reasons to support the effort.

First, what is Beat the Peak?

Beat the Peak is a co-op member notification system that:

• Teaches you how electricity use varies during the day and across the seasons of the year.
• Helps you understand that you can help reduce electricity use at specific times of the day across the whole electric system.
• Relates your choices about electricity use to the broader effort to control costs.
• Allows you to voluntarily sign up to receive notices of peak demand periods.
• Sends you notifications (via text, email and/or voice messages) at times when you can help reduce electricity use.

Electricity prices vary hourly?

Even though your electric rate is flat, the cost of the power we buy on your behalf does vary from hour to hour. Higher demand for electricity causes utilities to use more expensive fuels. Utilities use their most efficient and least costly generators first. Then, as electricity demand increases, utilities turn on generators that are less efficient or that use more expensive fuels. That's why higher electricity use can mean higher costs for your cooperative. The demand for electricity is greatest between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. in winter months. In the summer, peak electricity demand occurs between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

How does it work?

Your cooperative and its power suppliers continually monitor the demand for energy. Using weather forecasts and historical energy use data, they predict when peak demand for electricity will occur.

In advance of that time, you can be notified by:

• Email
• Text message
• Voice message

During a Beat the Peak peak period, you will receive a notification asking you to take certain actions. Those actions could include:

• Adjusting your thermostat by 3 degrees.
• Turning off lights.
• Delaying the use of major appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers, until after the predicted peak demand period has passed.
• Postponing hot water use, which will delay the activation of electric water heaters.

Sign up for Beat the Peak notifications at BeatThePeak.com. If you're already supporting the program, be sure to like our Beat the Peak posts on Facebook!

Members Matter at York Electric, and we take pride in serving you well! There is a lot of excitement being generated at your co-op as we work together to plan a BIG day of service for you. All of us here hope you'll join us on Saturday, May 12, for our 77th Annual Meeting at our York office.

We've already reserved a $15 electric bill credit for members who attend and register during the Annual Meeting between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and noon. The event will be rewarding and fun. It's also a great example of the power of community and gives us the opportunity to get to know you better. The April edition of South Carolina Living is full of information pertaining to our Annual Meeting. We want members to be prepared for the event and hope you'll take the time to look through York Electric's pages in the magazine to learn all about the festivities.

[PDF] 2018 Annual Meeting Event Details

Download 8.8 MB

[PDF] Annual Meeting Drive-Thru Registration Map

Download 1.6 MB

Pitch-in and win

One of York Electric's core values is commitment to community. We constantly look for ways to improve the quality of life for others. Our Annual Meeting provides a perfect opportunity to do so, but we need your help to make it possible. We're going to help PATH, and you CAN, too! Every member who brings canned food to benefit PATH, Inc., will be entered into a drawing for a $100 electric bill credit. The drawing will be held on Monday, May 14, and the winner will be notified by phone. Visit pathyork.org to learn about PATH's outreach and to see a listing of the items they need the most.

We look forward to gathering with you–members of the co-op family–to catch up, hear what you have to say and enjoy some good fellowship. I also want to thank you in advance for making your co-op's canned food drive for PATH a huge success.

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

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Candidates for trustees for 2018 election

The following members of the cooperative are candidates for trustees to be voted on during the Annual Meeting by acclamation for a three-year term, beginning May 2018.

District 3
Richard M. Roach
4150 Mockingbird Lane
Rock Hill, SC 29730

District 4
Paul D. Poston
4987 York Highway
Rock Hill, SC 29730

District 8
Tommie Bratton
1551 Sawmill Road
Hickory Grove, SC 29717

[PDF] YEC Bylaws

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Annual Meeting FAQ

Is drive-thru registration an option this year?

Yes, drive-thru registration is available from 8:30 A.M. until noon. Members who register through the drive-thru will receive the $15 power bill credit and will be entered into a single drawing for a $500 Electric Bill Credit but are not eligible for the door and grand prize drawings. The drawing will be held after the business meeting and the winner will be notified by phone on Monday, May 14. See the map to locate the drive-thru. Members MUST bring a valid photo ID to register. Also, please bring your registration postcard.

ONLY members NOT planning to participate in any of the Annual Meeting festivities, including food purchases, children’s activities, overall entertainment and business meeting, should plan to utilize the drive-thru registration. Also, parking will not be an option for those who register at the drive-thru.

Where are the door prizes given away and do I have to be present to win?

All prizes will be given away directly after the business meeting. The approximate time is 12:45 p.m. Members do not have to be present to win the first half of the door prize drawings, but MUST be present in order to win the second half and grand prize drawings. Members who register in the Drive-Thru are not eligible for the door and grand prize drawings.

What is the Annual Meeting and why should I attend?

The Annual Meeting is a meeting of YEC’s members and a special occasion for members to participate in cooperative business and meet their cooperative leaders and employees. It’s a family affair with a festival atmosphere; the event flourishes with a wide array of activities. Music will fill the air as children explore their way through an inflatable obstacle course and race down a 22 foot dual slide. The aroma of popcorn will entice you to visit the participating food vendors to see what food options they have for you to purchase. Each member who is present and registers receives a registration gift and will be eligible to win door prizes. Most importantly, members can exercise their cooperative right to vote in the election for seats on the cooperative’s Board of Trustees. During the business meeting, the President and CEO will inform members of current events and share important information pertaining to the cooperative. YEC’s bylaws require an Annual Meeting to be held.

When is the Annual Meeting held and how will I be notified?

The Annual Meeting is Saturday, May 12, 2018. Members receive a registration postcard in the mail the last week in April. Members are also notified through the South Carolina Living magazine.

Where and what time is the meeting held?

The meeting is held at YEC’s main office. The address is 1385 East Alexander Love Highway in York, SC. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at noon. The business meeting begins at noon and ends at approximately 12:45 p.m, Saturday, May 12, 2018.

What is the registration gift for 2018?

The 2018 registration gift is a $15 power bill credit. The registration gift is offered as an incentive to encourage members to attend the Annual Meeting, May 12, 2018; therefore, the registration gift is ONLY available to those members who are present. This applies to members who have health-related illnesses or emergency situations. Members who attend are not allowed to register their friends and neighbors by bringing their registration cards.

Can I receive the registration gift if I can’t come?

The registration gift is offered as an incentive to encourage members to attend the Annual Meeting; therefore, the registration gift is ONLY available to those members who are present. This applies to members who have health related illnesses or emergency situations. Members who attend are not allowed to register their friends and neighbors by bringing their registration cards.

How do I register and vote?

In order to register and vote, you must bring a valid photo ID. It is also important for you to bring your registration postcard because it has a barcode, with information pertaining to your YEC membership, printed on it. The barcode is scanned and this process minimizes the wait in the registration lines. If you do not bring your postcard, your membership information will have to be verified on the computer and a registration postcard will be prepared for you. Once your postcard is scanned you are registered.

Who are the candidates running for the 2018 Board of Trustees election?

The candidates running for the Board will be published in April’s issue of the South Carolina Living magazine.

How do I enter the door prize drawing?

Once you are registered you are automatically eligible to win a door prize. Your door prize tickets are attached to your registration postcard and will be removed during the registration process. At the end of the registration line, you will drop one of your door prize tickets into the prize collection box. You will keep the other portion so you will be able to know whether or not you are a winner when the door prize ticket numbers are called.

When are the door prizes given away?

All prizes will be given away directly after the business meeting. The approximate time is 12:45 p.m.

Will the Annual Meeting be held if it rains?

The Annual Meeting will be held rain or shine. If there is a threat of a major storm, a decision will be made the Friday before the meeting. If it is necessary to cancel the Annual Meeting, an announcement will be made and a message will be posted to the homepage of our website.

Will the parking be the same as last year?

Yes.

What do I need to do if I am handicapped?

Please make sure your handicapped placard is visible from your automobile. You will be directed to the handicapped parking area and a shuttle will pick you up and take you to the registration lines.

What activities will be available for children?

Every child 12 years old and under who registers will receive a gift. They will be able to explore the inflatable obstacle course and race down a 22 foot dual slide. Cotton candy, snow cones, candy apples, popcorn, etc. will be available for purchase through TC’s Shaved Ice. At noon, during the business meeting, a safety demonstration will be held.

How can I make sure I get to purchase 25-cent hot dogs this year? Last year they sold out.

A total of 8,000 hot dogs will be prepared. YEC encourages members to purchase hot dogs early. Your cooperative plans for the hot dogs to be sold out every year so there is no waste.

The 77th Annual Meeting of the Members of York Electric Cooperative will be held Saturday, May 12, at YEC's main office, located at 1385 East Alexander Love Highway in York.

Registration for the Annual Meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the business meeting at noon. Action will be taken on the following matters:

1. The report of officers, trustees and committees
2. The election of trustees by acclamation
3. All other business which may come before the meeting

Members are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting and MUST bring a valid photo ID and their registration postcard, which will be mailed at the end of this month. Members who need accommodations due to physical impairment are asked to contact YEC in advance at (803) 684-4248. During the business meeting, an interpreter for the hearing impaired will be provided. Also, please note that backpacks are subject to inspection by law enforcement while on-site at the Annual Meeting.

Your cooperative's audited financial report will be available at the Annual Meeting and during the week of the Annual Meeting at YEC's offices.

Each member registering will receive a $15 credit on his or her electric bill, limit one per membership. The credit will be applied to your bill dated June 2018.

Drive-thru registration

YEC will offer the drive-thru registration option again this year as an added convenience for members.

Members who would like to utilize the drive-thru registration will receive the registration gift, which is a $15 electric bill credit and be entered into a drawing for a $500 electric bill credit. However, these members will not be eligible for the door prizes and grand-prize drawings. See the YEC News EXTRA section on pages 24 A-C of April's South Carolina Living magazine for more information.

[PDF] Annual Meeting Drive-Thru Registration Map

Download 1.6 MB

[PDF] 2018 Annual Meeting Event Details

Download 8.8 MB

If you have any questions about the event, please contact our member services department at (803) 684-4248.

I look forward to connecting with you and your family on Saturday, May 12.

Annual Meeting Reminders

• ALL members MUST bring a valid photo ID to register. Also, look for your registration postcard to arrive in the mail the first week of May and make sure to bring it with you to the Annual Meeting.
• ONLY members NOT planning to participate in any of the Annual Meeting festivities, including food purchases, children's activities, overall entertainment and business meeting should plan to utilize the drive-thru registration. Also, parking will not be an option for those who register at the drive-thru. Members who use drive-thru registration will receive a $15 electric bill credit and will be entered into a drawing for a $500 electric bill credit. However, these members will NOT be eligible for the door prizes and grand-prize drawings.
• Prize drawings will be held immediately following the business meeting. Members do not have to be present to win the first half of the door-prize drawings but MUST be present to win the second-half and grand-prize drawings.
• If you have questions, check out the Annual Meeting FAQ below or call (803) 684-4248.

Largest Amount Ever in 77 Years! 

York Electric is giving money back to its members again this year. As a not-for-profit utility, York Electric returns revenues that exceed operating costs to members as Capital Credits. In May, your cooperative will retire $1.4 million to people who were members during 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2016.

Returning capital credits is another way York Electric is looking out for you.

In May, we will return $1.4 million to members who received service in 1994, 1995, 1996 & 2016. Members will receive Capital Credit checks in the mail unless the amount due to them is less than $15. If the member's refund is less than $15, the amount will be printed on the utility bill statement as a line item credit. The amount of Capital Credits returned is determined by margins and your total energy billings for the years listed above. Questions? Call (803) 684-4248.