August 2025 | Where the Personal Still Matters

By Sean J. Vanslyke | sean@gosemo.com

Lately, I’ve found myself thinking about how often the old world and the new world quietly meet—and how much we depend on both to move forward.

At SEMO Electric Cooperative and GoSEMO Fiber, Team SEMO continues to apply the lessons learned during the pandemic. Virtual meetings, for example, remain an important tool to reduce travel, improve efficiency, and make better use of our time. With key campuses in Bloomfield and Sikeston, fiber offices in Advance and Puxico, and about half of our team working out in the field, these tools help us stay connected and focused on our mission.

Still, there’s something powerful about doing things the old-fashioned way.

Recently, Debbie and I received a handwritten postcard thanking us for supporting a mission trip. It was simple, unexpected—and meaningful. In a world driven by screens and schedules, that little piece of paper made a lasting impact.

At the Cooperative, we make it a point to connect—we send handwritten notes or make follow-up calls to hundreds of electric members and fiber subscribers. Whether you’ve received one or not, the message is the same: we’re thinking of you, and we truly appreciate your support.

Because while technology helps us connect, it’s the personal moments—the notes, the handshakes, the small gestures—that remind us who we’re working for. We’re grateful for your trust, your patience, and your continued support. You make our work meaningful.

Old world or new, it’s still about people.

Book of the Month: “What we do every day matters more than what we do once in a while.” — From Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin

Be smart. Act safely. Keep pushing forward!

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