October 2024 | Celebrating Community, Service | SEMO Electric Cooperative: Connected, Caring, Committed

Communities come in all shapes and sizes, whether they’re defined by geographical proximity, shared interests, or even virtual spaces like social media groups. Regardless of how they form, communities bring people together and create a strong sense of belonging.

At SEMO Electric Cooperative, we are deeply committed to our member-owners, and we’re proud to have you as part of our cooperative family.

This October, we join over 900 electric cooperatives across the U.S. in celebrating National Co-op Month. It’s a special time to recognize what makes cooperatives unique and to celebrate the incredible power of co-op membership.

Electric cooperatives are not-for-profit utilities built by the communities they serve. For SEMO Electric Cooperative, our mission has always been to provide reliable power, and because we’re locally operated, we’re uniquely positioned to meet the evolving energy needs of our members.

Our commitment extends far beyond electricity. We built GoSEMO Fiber to ensure our community has access to high-speed internet, improving the quality of life for our members. We proudly participate in local parades and community events, celebrating alongside you. We’ve also returned over $20,000,000 in capital credits to our member-owners, reflecting our dedication to your financial well-being.

Team SEMO continues to rise to challenges, such as the Memorial Day Weekend Storm, demonstrating our resilience and unwavering commitment to keeping the lights on for our community. Through thick and thin, we’re here to serve you.

We’re guided by the seven cooperative principles—Open and Voluntary Membership, Democratic Member Control, Members’ Economic Participation, Autonomy and Independence, Education, Training, and Information, Cooperation Among Cooperatives, and Concern for Community. These principles are the foundation of our cooperative and keep us focused on our mission to serve you.

We deeply appreciate our member-owners and subscribers. Enjoy the beauty of fall, and if you see a member of Team SEMO in the community, be sure to say hello. We’re proud to serve you, and together, we’re making our community a better place to call home.

Book of the Month: “Everybody wants to be on the mountaintop, but if you’ll remember, mountaintops are rocky and cold. There is no growth on the top of the mountain. Sure, the view is great, but what’s a view for? A view just gives us a glimpse of our next destination – our next target. But to hit that target, we must come off the mountain, go through the valley, and begin to climb the next slope. It is the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life’s next peak.” The Noticer by Andy Andrews

Be smart. Act safely. Keep pushing forward!

Sean is the CEO/GM of SEMO Electric Cooperative and GoSEMO Fiber.