Not so many years ago, WFEC purchased its first non-mainframe personal computer. If my memory is correct, it was an IBM XT and was obtained in the mid 1980’s. It contained word processing software and Lotus 123 spread sheet capability. I believe it used floppy disks, and had 64k of memory and a small disk drive.

That PC had less computing power than today’s iPhone or iPad.

In the past 25 years, WFEC has procured hundreds of computers, iPhones and iPads, and they have become a critical part of performing our routine daily work requirements.

Over the years, typewriters, dictating machines, floppy disks, pagers, diskettes, and tape drives have gone the way of the dinosaur along with four and eight track tape players. With “itunes” and “Flash drives” can CD’s be far behind? When I started at WFEC I could write programs in COBOL, Fortran, Basic, and was fairly proficient in Assembler language. Today, they are no longer in existence.

While computers have not taken the place of any employees, they certainly have increased the work done. What do you suppose the next 25 years will bring in terms of new Information System technology...

Roulet Report

November 23, 2012

Unplugged

Costs to borrow from 401(k): $4,900, pay back over 5 years:

1. Fee to process loan request: $ 100.00

2. Interest rate of 4.25% (current rate): 543.10

3. 20% tax on dollars withheld from pay to pay off loan: 1,000.00

4. Opportunity cost* of $5,000 absent from 401(k) for 5 years: 1,061.60

Total cost to borrow: $ 2,704.70

*Opportunity cost – amount that $4,900 would have gained at 4% earnings rate (The year-

to-date earnings rate for NRECA’s ‘2030 Target Date Portfolio’ is 9.29% as of 9/30/12, so

the above estimated opportunity cost could be more than doubled.

Why a 401(k) Loan May Not Be Good For Your Future

Energy Efficiency TipCut Loads of Energy While Doing the Laundry

It’s easy to cut energy costs while doing laundry. About 80-85 percent of the energy used for washing clothes

is used to heat the water. You can reduce this cost by by washing full loads, using cooler water and cold-water

detergents. Switch the temperature setting from hot to warm and it will cut a load’s energy use in half.

If you are in the market for a new washer, look for ENERGY STAR products and read EnergyGuide labels. You

can reduce drying costs as well: clean the lint filter after every load to improve air circulation, and don’t over-dry

clothes. Use the cool-down cycle to allow clothes to finish drying with residual heat. Also, periodically inspect

your dryer vent to ensure it’s not blocked.

This week we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, a special time when we pause to give thanks for what we have. While finances may not be at the top of your “thankful list,” noting and appreciating your successes in the last year can offer a great sense of inspiration and courage for facing whatever 04689 financial hurdles come your way.* Paid off a loan. For many people, loans are a regular presence throughout life; from car loans to student loans to home equity loans. No matter the size of the loan, if you paid one off this year that is a huge accomplishment!

* Got out of debt. Any debt, large or small, can weigh on you. If you ditched any of your debt this year, give yourself a pat on the back!

* Stuck to a resolution. Did you make a financial resolution this year, maybe to save more and spend less? Did you stick to it? If you did, that’s fantastic! Changing bad financial habits can be a challenge, but overcoming them is well worth the effort.

* Lent a hand. As the East coast continues to pick up the pieces from hurricane Sandy and the rest of the country prepares for winter weather ahead, we are reminded of the importance of helping those in need. If you lent a hand this year, whether through time or financial donation, thank you. There is no amount of kindness too small. Source: feedthepig.org

Count Your Blessings

NORMAN, OKLA. – The 2012 Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Supporting K20 Innovative Educators (SKIE) Award winner was recognized at the 2012 K20 Innovative Learning Institute on November 6 at the Embassy Suites in Norman. This award celebrates educators who have demonstrated the ability to link student learning with the innovative use of technology and the K20 IDEALS.

The 2012 winner, Heather Goodenough, is a seventh grade social studies teacher from Haskell Middle School in the Broken Arrow School District. Touchstone Energy Cooperatives generously sponsored the award which provides a $1,500 gift for Goodenough personally and an additional $1,000 check for technology at Haskell.

Heather Goodenough is not only “goodenough” she is “GREAT enough!” noted former Haskell principal, Dr. Pam Bradley. She immerses her students in content using innovative, technology rich techniques. Students utilize QR codes in research projects, voice threads to share interesting facts, Animoto to demonstrate their knowledge of academic vocabulary, and Timetoast to create biographic timelines using pictures, text and dates to tell a story. Goodenough encourages higher level thinking skills by helping students analyze and justify their thinking through presentation tools on laptops in conjunction with iPads and cell phones. She recognizes the role of social networking and maximizes its use with her school Facebook and Twitter accounts, so student learning is not limited to the classroom; but is continuous and seamlessly connected to their lives and the world around them. Mrs. “Great Enough” is masterful and invigorating to her students who will be motivated to serve as leaders and productive, engaged citizens.

In 2011, Haskell Middle School received an Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust grant that allowed the school to implement mobile laptop technologies and develop a technology-enriched learning community. Goodenough served on the leadership team for OETT and also served as the Technology Integration Specialist at her site, using time after school to provide professional development to her peers. She was instrumental in creating a vision for iPad implementation across the district. Goodenough is not only 10184 a leader for student learning, but for teacher learning as well.

This award would not be possible without the K20 Board of Advocates’ new partnership with Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. It is through this collaboration and future endowment that more teachers in Oklahoma will soon be recognized. These teachers not only contribute to their student’s learning, but serve as role models to other educators and community leaders who are striving to bring technology to their curriculum in authentic and meaningful ways. This level of dedication is shaping the future of Oklahoma’s citizenry towards powerful, productive, and positive results. For more information about the K20 Innovative Learning Institute, go to http://k20ili.com.

Pictured above: Heather Goodenough, receives her K20 Innovative Educators (SKIE) award at the ceremony held on November 6 in Norman, OK.

2012 TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVES SKIE WINNER NAMED

Thankful for SAVINGS!

is an amazing Internet MyVIPSavings.commall where you can enjoy convenient shopping and exciting savings at over 1,000 of your favorite online stores.

Featuring the premier merchants online who consistently offer the best values on the goods and services you want and need, MyVIPSavings.commakes online shopping easy and rewarding.

also eliminates the time wasted MyVIPSavings.com

sitting in voice mail queues waiting to speak with customer service representatives when comparing prices and services for electric companies, Internet and phone service providers, cable and satellite companies, and much more. So enjoy shopping, enjoy saving, enjoy life – with MyVIPSavings.com the ,Internet mall for the good life.

CECU Can Help You This Holiday Season...

Christmas Loan Special

December Skip-a-Pay

$2,000 Maximum12 months

9.0%, as low as 5%*

Starting November 26, 2012Ending December 31, 2012

*Use CECU debit card for loan proceeds and get an extra 1% off the stated rate.

A total of all unsecured loans can not be over $6,000 to any one member. Unsecured loans consist of: Signature, Christmas & Student

*Members who have less than 30% debt-to-income ratio, no collections and no late payments within the past 2 years; no bankruptcy; and no judgements qualify for a 3% less than stated rate.

First payment must be made on or before January 4, 2013.

Now is the time to take advantage of this member’s only program just in

time to spread some holiday cheer.

The Skip-a-Pay feature allows members in good standing to defer Credit Union loan payments for 1 month. Once approved, enjoy the extra cash for whatever you may need. It’s an easy and simple process.

The following conditions apply:

A $10 fee applies per loan, up to a maximum of $40 for 4 or more loans

Interest will continue to accrue on your loan balance

The next minimum payment will be due as usual the following month.

This option is not available for Christmas or interest only loans.

Deadline for signing up is December 1, 2012.

For additional information, call or come byCooperative Employees Credit Union

Please submit your child/children’s photo for the Winter Quarter (Christmas Edition) of the WFEC EnerCom. We would like to include them in this special holiday publication for all to enjoy.

Please turn a high quality photo in to Sondra Boykin or Maria Crowder (Communications Dept. – second floor – headquarters) by Wednesday, Nov. 21.All photos will be returned after printing in late December.

Please do not write their names on the back of the actual photo because when photos are stacked, the ink may come off onto the photo underneath. Please use a sticky note or similar item for names.

If you have a high quality digital photo, you may send that to: s_boykin@wfec.comor m_crowder@wfec.com.

Please include the following information:

Child/Children’s Names: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parents:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Job Title/Location of WFEC Employee:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Christmas EnerCom PhotosDue By Nov. 21

The 2012 Congressional Reception was held recently on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. WFEC hosted the reception to honor members of the Oklahoma and New Mexico Congressional Delegation and their staffs. The event provides WFEC an important opportunity to meet with our Senators, Representatives and their staffs to discuss key issues affecting Oklahoma cooperatives. Over 90 persons were in attendance at this year’s reception.

One issue WFEC staff has been focused on is assisting U.S. Representative Frank Lucas promote the new Farm Bill. Lucas is Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and provisions in this bill could re-establish Rural Utility Service base load lending. It would also authorize the Rural Energy Savings Program Act.

On the Senate side, Congressional staffs were asked to oppose another vote on Cyber Security Legislation. The legislation could force mandates on security at power plants and duplicates existing cyber security regulation by the North American Relibility Corporation (NERC). WFEC representatives were there to promote development of any legislation that protects WFEC’s interest regarding coal ash.

It is sometimes said, “Co-ops were born in politics and will die in politics”. Keeping rural America healthy means keeping the power flowing to our members.

Representing WFEC at the conference were: WFEC Board President David Ray, C&I Marketing Manager & Legislative Coordinator Scott Williams, Vice President of Legal & Corporate Services Brian Hobbs and Vice President of Power Delivery Ron Cunningham.

The Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

2012 Congressional Reception Held in Washington D.C.

(Left to Right): Scott Williams, Brian Hobbs and Ron Cunningham.

WFEC Board President (left) David Ray and WFEC Vice-President of Power Delivery Ron Cunningham

speak with congressional representatives at the recent Oklahoma Reception in Washington D.C..

Enter WFEC’s new Co-op Connections Card Contest – Save Big to Win Big. How much have you saved using your Co-op Connections Card? We want to know. Send

in a list of all the savings you have received on all local, regional, prescription, Healthy Savings Discounts and the VIP Savings program and you could win CASH.

We have heard of several WFEC employees saving hundreds of dollars on prescriptions, Healthy Savings discounts and various other discounts in the Co-op Connections program. Now you can not only save on purchases and services through these programs, but you could win CASH. You might even be featured in upcoming Connections Card articles.

This new contest will run quarterly, with the first one ending on Dec.31, 2012. Entries can be sent in anytime after Sept. 1. The first drawing will be held on Jan. 4, 2013. Fill out the attached form each time you save money using your Co-op Connection Card and send to Maria Crowder before Jan. 4, 2013. Anyone sending in 1 to 4 entries will have their name entered in the drawing once. Five or more entries will earn two submissions for the prize drawing. One lucky winner will be drawn from all eligible submissions. This quarter’s prize will be $100. The contest will run through August 31, 2013. We are always looking for more businesses to join the Co-op Connections Card program. If you have any suggestions for local, regional and national businesses that you would like to see enrolled in the Connections Card program, please fill out the bottom of the the attached form and we will follow up.

For more information on the connection card program, visit: http://www.connections.coop/index.php?coopID=40

For more information on the new healthy savings discounts visit: http://www.connections.coop/healthysavings.php?tag=nav

For more information, or to sign up for the new VIP savings: https://www.myvipsavings.com/splash.aspx

If you would like a new card, or additional cards for family and/or friends, please contact Maria Crowder at Ext. 4371 or Brittany Hicks at Ext. 4335.

SAVE BIG TO WIN BIG... IN THE CO-OP CONNECTIONS

CARD CONTEST

Co-op Connections Card Savings Contest EntryName: ____________________ Savings Amount: ______________

Business Name: ______________ Date: ______________

Description of Discount: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________ Savings Amount: ______________

Business Name: ______________ Date: ______________

Description of Discount: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________ Savings Amount: ______________

Business Name: ______________ Date: ______________

Description of Discount: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________ Savings Amount: ______________

Business Name: ______________ Date: ______________

Description of Discount: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________ Savings Amount: ______________

Business Name: ______________ Date: ______________

Description of Discount: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Suggestion for future Connections Card deals: ___________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Brown Bag Lunch Schedule

Wednesday, Nov. 28 - Hugo - 11:30 a.m. - BreakroomTuesday, Dec. 4 - Anadarko Plant - 11:30 a.m. - BreakroomWednesday, Dec. 12 - Mooreland - 11:30 a.m. - Breakroom

Friday, Dec. 14 - Headquarters - 11:30 a.m. - Employee Meeting Room

Happy Birthday wishes go out to all WFEC employees enjoying a birthday.

Have a wonderful day!

Bobby Wallace 11/23 Darwin Head 11/23 Mick Hall 11/23 Wayne Foster 11/24 Dustin Red 11/25 Thomas Henry 11/26 Mike Doyal 11/28 Mica Holbrook 11/29 RonDickinson 11/29 DustinBrownfield 11/30 Johnny Long 12/01 Zach Low 12/01 Steve Feltman 12/03 Priscilla Haywood 12/04 Lon Ross 12/04 J.D. Lewis 12/04 C.R. Kornele 12/06

You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need. ~Vernon Howard

Hidden Employee Numbers

Sorry, Kalun Kelley and Mandi Wilson did not find their employee numbers in the last issue.

You could be the next winner of a $10 Logo Room credit.

If you find your employee number in this edition, call Brittany Hicks at Ext. 4335. Please use your credit

before the next payday if possible.