Community Matters
The seventh cooperative principle, “Concern for Community” encompasses much of what McKenzie Electric, and over eight hundred other electric cooperatives around the United States stand for. At the end of the day our employees are here to serve the members and the community in which they live to provide a better quality of life. After all, MEC itself wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the rural community coming together in 1945 to get much needed, affordable power to ranches and farms.
While bringing power to rural northwest North Dakota is at the fore front of our mission to provide a better future for the families who live in the communities we serve, that isn’t the only way we show our concern for community. Along with the day-to-day efforts to keep the lights on, MEC also supports the community by promoting energy efficiency, helping members understand energy use and educating the public about electrical safety. Here are some ways MEC shows concern for community in our service area.
Education & Scholarship Opportunities
Being safe around electricity and knowing the correct actions if you see a downed line can save someone’s life. McKenzie Electric lineman take pride in teaching local students the importance of being safe around electrical equipment. Throughout the year, students are able to see the tools and equipment it takes to keep the lights on.
In addition to visiting local schools we also offer scholarship opportunities that can help open the door for students wanting to continue their education. Scholarship applications can be found on our website at www.mckenzieelectric.com.
Electric Cooperative Youth Tour
Every community needs strong, motivated leaders. Through the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, McKenzie Electric does their part to groom our next generation to be a future leader in their own community. Every year a sophomore or junior in high school is selected to represent MEC in Washington D.C. as a Youth Tour Delegate. This weeklong program teaches the values of citizenship, democracy, leadership and cooperation. The application deadline for the Youth Tour is January 31, 2020 and applications are located on our website.
Giving Tree
Throughout the year, McKenzie Electric strives to make our members lives brighter, and the holiday season is the perfect time to be even more generous and kind. Every year MEC sponsors a Giving Tree where donations are made to children of Dunn County who may be less fortunate than others during the holidays. In some situations, a child may be left without simple necessities. Unfortunately, we can sometimes take those simple items for granted and not think twice about other’s struggles. Through the efforts of MEC’s employees, board of directors and members, we can have a positive impact on a child’s life and make their Christmas a little brighter.
Operation Round Up
At the 53rd Annual Meeting in 1998, our members voted to implement the Operation Round Up program. Through Operation Round Up, members of McKenzie Electric can choose to have their monthly bill rounded up to the next dollar amount. The difference is put into a fund managed by a board of directors consisting of local co-op members. Twice a year this board meets to review applications varying from medical emergencies to donations for qualifying community events. McKenzie Electric is proud to be able to harness the generosity of our members and prove that working together to help fellow members in their time of need never goes out of style.