in other words
october9
2012
WOEC Current
7
News and Notes From the Co-op: Celebrate Cooperative Month With Us
By Sarah Rossi
Every October since 1930, not-
for-profit cooperatives of all kinds have
celebrated Cooperative Month. During
this time, it makes sense to highlight the
qualities that make electric cooperatives
different from other types of utilities
and businesses. Cooperatives through-
out North America will celebrate their
successes and heritage with common
themes throughout October. The celebra-
tion lasted even longer this year, because
the United Nations sanctioned 2012 the
International Year of Cooperatives.
One of the biggest differences is
that electric co-ops are owned by those
they serve. That’s why those who re-
ceive electric service from us are called
members, not customers. The need for
access to electrical service in rural areas
is what created West Oregon Electric
Cooperative.
Members maintain democratic
control of our co-op, which means they
elect fellow members to represent them
on the board of directors. Every August
the annual meeting mailing is sent out to
members with the ballot to vote for the
directors that have been nominated for
the District seats that are up that year,
and the official results are announced at
our annual meeting. Another difference
is that our co-op members receive spe-
cial benefits through programs like our
WOEC Co-op Connections Card and
our energy assistance program “Care to
Share”. One principle that sets us apart
from other businesses is our concern for
community. As a cooperative, we have a
special responsibility to support the ar-
eas in which our members live and work.
We sponsor local school activities, pro-
vide scholarships, and sponsor the Co-
lumbia County Rider Columbia County
Fair Senior Day trip.
Our economy still has critical
hurdles to overcome, so you may not
feel like celebrating Co-op month at all.
But when our faith in big institutions
has been shaken, it’s the perfect time to
remember what we’ve already accom-
plished locally, all with a little coopera-
tion.
We’ve faced tough times be-
fore; 75 years ago our area didn’t have
electricity. Young folks were leaving en-
masse to find a brighter future in urban
areas, and rural America was left in the
dark. But instead of waiting for some-
one else to fix our problem, we turned to
each other. We built our own utility, and
we powered our future.
By our very nature, not-for-prof-
it, local, member-owned and governed
cooperatives like West Oregon Electric
empower members to improve their
lives. And while bringing electricity to
rural Oregon was a big first step, you,
as our members, certainly didn’t stop
there. Overall, co-ops are more acces-
sible than other types of businesses. We
still answer the phone personally, have
time to meet with our members, and gen-
uinely care about our members. We give
our members a voice, and we are local,
living and working alongside those we
serve.
As we celebrate National Coop-
erative Month, we would like to invite
you to join us on Wednesday, October
31st for candy and fun at our WOEC
office. We want you to continue to stay
involved as we build a better future to-
gether. Thank you for being a WOEC
member!
Whooping Cough Vaccine Available in Columbia County
To help with the rising numbers of whooping
cough cases this year, Public Health has received a vac-
cine targeted at adults with no medical insurance be-
tween the ages of 19 and 64.
“This is a one-time adult booster,” said Mary
Altenhein, immunization coordinator for the Pub-
lic Health Foundation of Columbia County. She said
adults who expect to have close contact with a baby
younger than a year should be immunized to protect the
child. Pertussis is more severe in children than adults.
By protecting themselves, older children, par-
ents and grandparents can form a “cocoon of protec-
tion” around the babies in their lives that may be too
young to be fully protected by vaccine.
The Public Health Foundation offers immu-
nizations on a sliding fee scale. Call 503-397-4651 ext
2023 to make an appointment. Hours are 8:00 AM-4:30
PM Monday-Friday.
Nine cases of whooping cough have been re-
ported in Columbia County this year. Oregon has 679
cases, over twice as many as reported last year. Wash-
ington State has 4,007 cases, nearly 10 times the num-
ber reported this time last year.
“Prevention is the best defense against this dis-
ease,” said Karen Ladd,
Columbia County Pub-
lic Health Administra-
tor. “Not being current
on vaccinations clearly
puts people at risk of
contracting pertussis.”
“Children
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should see their doctors if they have a cough longer
than two weeks,” said Altenhein. Whooping cough
starts with a runny nose, sneezing, cough and fever.
The cough worsens, frequently comes in fits, and can
last six weeks or longer. In youngsters, a whooping
sound can follow coughing fits as they try to catch their
breath; sometimes infants grow blue in the face from
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