PowerLines November 2024

Giving Thanks for Small Change that Makes a Big Difference

Jack Johnston, CEO

This time of the year reminds me of how amazing people can be, especially those of our area, and what a significant impact we can have when we work together. As a community-focused organization, we understand the desire to help neighbors, and as members of DMEA, we are part of creating a positive impact throughout the year.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving this month, we are highlighting Operation Round Up to make it easy for you to directly contribute to people in our area who need extra help. From supporting individuals going through medical hardships to a local teacher who needs supplies for her classroom, DMEA uses funds from Operation Round Up to give back to those we serve.

You’ve likely heard that “Concern For Community” is one of the 7 Cooperative Principles that guides DMEA and helps define who we are as an organization. When we brought electricity to this area in 1938, the quality of life improved. But other things also needed to be addressed, and through the years, our cooperative committed to enhancing the well-being of our members in Delta and Montrose counties. That’s why we have the Operation Round Up program.

Nine member-volunteers from across DMEA’s service territory sit on the DMEA Operation Round Up Charitable Trust. This board meets monthly to make funding decisions in the community’s best interest. This year, we’ve helped the Peak Academy establish a library for online and in-person students, assisted the Hotchkiss Senior Center in providing meals and activity supplies, funded instruments for Garnet Mesa Elementary, provided grants to multiple food banks across our service territory, and much more.

Consider rounding up your DMEA bill to the nearest dollar as your contribution. A few cents every month adds up when many of us round up. Thanks to members like you, each year Operation Round Up is able to donate to worthwhile local organizations and families in need. Sign up by calling 877-687-3632 or navigating to Bill & Pay > Operation Round Up on your Smart Hub app. Whether you can round up or not, I am grateful for your membership and wish you and your family a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday!

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Round Up: Make Change

Your cents make a big difference in people's lives.

When you sign up for Operation Round Up and pay your electricity bill, you are making a difference for those around you.

How it works:

Operation Round Up is completely voluntary and 100% member-funded. If your bill is $52.15, DMEA will round up your payment to the nearest dollar, or $53.00, and the extra 85 cents will be pooled with other members’ Round Up donations. The funds are then redistributed to help meet the needs of those in our community.

Most people who participate in Operation Round Up donate about $6 annually, which isn’t much individually but adds up as more members round up.

Ready to round up?

Learn more at dmea.com/operation-round-up or sign up by calling 877-687-3632 or visiting dmea.smarthub.coop/ui/#/roundup

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Elevate InterNET Classic

The Elevate InterNET Classic brings five high schools together to polish their skills, test team chemistry, and compete in this round-robin-style play before the regular season begins in January.

Join us to cheer on Montrose, Eagle Valley, Coal Ridge, Weld Central, and Steamboat Springs teams!

Find the schedule and more information at elevateinternet.com/hoops

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Clearly Connected

Our new broadband labels are like the "Nutrition Facts" you see on food packages, but instead of telling you what's in your food, they tell you what's in your internet plan. Whether you find us online, over the phone, or in person, we give it to you straight:

‍Speed: How fast you can download and upload in Megabits per second (Mbps).‍
Price: Some internet companies offer an introductory price, and then it goes up. We don't mess with these gimmicks; our prices are low now and always will be.‍
Extra Fees: Nobody likes surprise costs. These labels tell you if there are extra fees so you're not caught off guard. Our labels show you that you can expect an installation fee, and that's it! No other hidden costs.

Just like reading food labels helps you stay healthy, broadband labels help you make smart decisions about your internet. They allow us to get crystal-clear with our internet offerings, ensuring you know exactly what you are getting when you sign up for Elevate.

We like these labels because we pride ourselves on transparency and offering straightforward, easy-to-understand services with no hidden fees or future price increases.

‍Find out what's in your plan under 'Broadband Facts' at elevateinternet.com/internet.

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Concern for Community

DMEA staff and board members present$2,000 checks to Montrose, Cedaredge, andOlathe high schools to support technology.

Friday Night Lights for the Win

DMEA and Elevate celebrated our members during National Cooperative Month in October by hosting Friday Night Lights games at area high schools. These events demonstrated the power of community and allowed fans to mingle and cheer on our hometown teams.

Each game in the Friday Night Lights series was nothing short of electric. The stadiums and gyms filled quickly, with families and friends flooding the stands. Many arrived early to soak up the atmosphere, walking under the flags flown high by DMEA and Elevate bucket trucks. As they entered, fans were greeted with free goodies—mini footballs, pom poms, and t-shirts branded with each school's mascot.

How we helped:

Along with paying for admission for each attendee, Elevate presented a $2,000 check to the host school at each event to help address technology needs. These funds aim to enhance the learning environment by supporting the purchase of new equipment, software, and other tech tools to better prepare students for the future. Each tech donation further strengthens Elevate's commitment to fostering local growth and empowering students to thrive in a technology-driven world.

How you can help:

Support your local schools by attending future sporting events and cheering with respect to support athletes and foster a positive atmosphere for everyone.

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Stand Strong Against Bullying

More than one in four kids have been cyberbullied by the time they reach highschool. This can have severe impacts on mental health, but there are steps we can take to protect ourselves and others online. Instead of blocking all access to technology, talk to your children and friends about using tech safely and positively:‍

‍Think Before You Post: When you hit the send button, your content leaves an instant digital footprint that could remain online forever, even if you delete the original post. This includes sensitive photos and personal information like phone numbers and home addresses.‍‍
‍Be Kind: We all act differently online than we do in person. If something irritates or angers you, take a breath and ask yourself some questions before commenting. Would you say this to someone standing in front of you? Would sarcasm be interpreted as unpleasant? Without face-to-face visual and voice clues, responses can be misinterpreted online.
Use Available Tools: ElevateIQ provides parental alarms when kids attempt to browse content you don't approve, as well as a built-in layer of protection from bad actors.

Get ElevateIQ today!

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The Electric Strip

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