Energizer

A statewide newsletter for Citizens of Georgia Power and Company Management February 2013

State President’sMessage

Josh Stallings

Earlier this month, Citizens leaders from across the state gathered on a Saturday for our 2013 Officers’ Training. Every year, this meeting gives local officers the chance to hear success stories from around the state, collaborate on common challenges, and forge new friendships that can help our organization be more successful. This year, when I asked the group how many first time officers were with us, almost half the room raised their hands. That excites me because it means that we have a lot of energetic people stepping up to take leadership roles this year.

When I reflected on the number of first year officers we have, I thought of the 1993 film Rudy, which depicts the story of a young man committed to overcoming numerous odds to play football at Notre Dame. If you are a new officer, you probably have ideas and goals of your own for this year. You will face obstacles along the way – fundraising challenges, finding causes that your members can relate to, and motivating more of your members to get involved just to name a few. In the movie, Rudy does not have a great academic record, does not come from a wealthy family, is diagnosed with a learning disability, and does not have the physical stature of a college football player. Because he is committed to his overall goal, Rudy overcomes each of these obstacles to realize his ultimate dream. Let me encourage you to guard the enthusiasm you have about the year ahead. Remain committed to the goals that your chapter sets for the year. By working with your local teammates, I know we can deepen the impact we make in our communities.

The State Board has set our membership goal at 3,655 this year, which would match last year’s total. Our service hour goal is 80,000 hours, which is just above what we achieved in 2012. We will reach both of these goals by finding new ways for adjacent chapters to partner with each other, by effectively communicating to others the great things we are doing, and by identifying and supporting new projects that touch the hearts of more of our members. Many of the chapter officers have heard me talk about this already. Let me speak now to those of you who are not officers. For most of you, there is a charitable cause out there that captures your heart. Just as Relay for Life motivates us because of our brushes with cancer, there is an organization working in your community on issues that you are passionate about. Whether it is hunger, sickness, homelessness, education, or finding a cure for an illness, your chapter stands ready to get behind you to find new ways to support that cause. I encourage you to share your ideas with others in your chapter. You will be amazed at the impact you can make.

Our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day of service was a resounding success again this year. In total, you organized 58 projects across the state and involved 990 volunteers in those projects. You did this despite the fact that over 250 employees were serving on storm duty that day and many of your members were affected by illness. This is exceptional. Please take the time to read about the many great projects that are highlighted in this newsletter. We are off to a great start to the year and are well on our way to meeting our goals.

•March 25 – Athens Golf Tournament

•April 20 – Valdosta’s Tennis Tournament for Relay

•April 29 – East Region Golf Tournament for Relay (Augusta,

Thomson, Waynesboro & Plant Vogtle Chapters)

•May 3 – Forest Park Golf Tournament

•May 4 – Plant Vogtle Chapter Motorcycle Ride for Relay

•May 10 – 5th Annual Power Clays Event for Electric Kids

•May 24 – Customer Care Center Golf Tournament

•August 19 –Third Annual Kylan Warren Golf Tournament

•November 1 & 2 – Annual Meeting – Classic Center - Athens

Coming Attractions

Thanks to everyone who participated in the

58 projects throughout the state involving 998 volunteers!

2013 Officers’ TrainingSaturday, February 9Arkwright Auditorium

On Saturday, February 9, 125 state and chapter officers attended the Annual Officers’ Training held at the CorporateHeadquarters.

Registration Everyone attending received a T-shirt!

State President Josh Stallings welcomed everyone and discussed his

Goals & Vision for 2013

•Membership Goal – Maintain 3655

•Service Hours Goal – 80,000

•Partnerships – partnering with other groups and chapters

•Effective Communications

•Increasing involvement by letting members have input on

service projects

Our Executive Sponsors

Anthony WilsonExecutive Vice President

CS&O

Mike AndersonSr. Vice PresidentCharitable Giving

Mike Anderson thanked theleaders on behalf of

Paul Bowers and companymanagement.

2013 Officers’ Training Continued

Fellowship

Motivation & Inspiration fromTaneisha Holliday, daughter ofConnie Stroud of the General Office Chapter. Taneisha, who is a past Educational Loan Fund participant has published a bookof inspirational poems.

Learning & Sharing of Best Practices

Throughout the day, a Movie Quote Trivia gamewas played with many happy winners!

Vice Presidents Breakout led by Krista Pierce, Cheryl Davis & Zann Hayes

State Treasurer Sherri King conducts the TreasurersBreakout Session assisted by Assistant State

Treasurer Edie Scales

State Board MembersLisa Stone, AllisonDickson, and DaundraFletcher conducted thetraining session forsecretaries.

2013 Officers’ Training Continued

Chapter Presidents worked together sharing best practices and going over rules and regulations.

There were breakout sessions by Chapter Relationship Groups

There were breakout groups by chapter size

Rachel Bailey leads Northeast, East & Coastal Region Chapters

Todd McCawley leads West, Central & South Regions

Gerardo Morales & Power Generation

Amy Anderson leads workshop for chapters with 40 – 69 members

Ashley Koby led chapters with 11-39 membersCheryl Davis led chapters with 70 – 120 members

Bo Braswellwith the

121 – 365memberchapters

Shane Ammonscoordinates theNorthwest andMetro Region

ChaptersThere was a panel discussion on the registeredcharities moderated by Past State PresidentAshley Koby. Panelists were: John Cornelius, Educational Loan Fund Daundra Fletcher, Electric Kids Chris D’Andrea, Family House Cheryl Davis, State 2nd Vice President Zann Hayes, State Parliamentarian

The North Fulton Area Chapter was out in the community on Saturday, February 2, serving and giving of their time to help others get needed food.  The chapter helped the St. Malachi’s Storehouse at the St Patrick Church in Dunwoody.  A lot of food was distributed and a lot of fun was had working together.

North Fulton Area Chapterin the Community

Milledgeville/Plant BranchChili Cook Off

Membership DriveFebruary 4

1st Place – Jeff Rentz2nd Place – Taron Durden3rd Place – Steve Williamson

Milledgeville /Plant Branch Chapter hosted a chili cook off contest. It was very successful – rejoining that day were 17 members and 9 new members joined. In addition to the membership drive, $266 was raised from chili/cake sales.  Twenty-one employees entered the contest and one member donated dessert.  While all the chili was excellent, the panel of judges selected the three winners shown above.

Gwinnett ChapterThe Gwinnet Chapter held a Valentines Event after their membership cook-out in Lawrenceville.  They filled bags and Frisbees with candy and delivered them to the Gwinnett Children’s Shelter.  These were given to the 40 boys and girls residing in the shelter.  The chapter has built a partnership with the shelter for several years.  This was a successful project which involved many of the covered employees. 

Milledgeville-Plant Branch Chapter has a huge focus on education initiatives for the community. The chapter purchased educational supplies including a Sensory Edge Rug for this Creekside Elementary classroom. Featured are the students who are enjoying the rug and new supplies as well as teacher, Kendall Castillo.

The Brunswick chapter raised $400 for Angel Flight.  Angel Flight arranges free air transportation for any legitimate, charitable, medically related need. This service is available to individuals, and health care organizations. Angel Flight will also arrange transportation of those people who are financially distressed, or who are in a time-critical, non-emergency situation due to their medical condition.  Chapter President Leah Beasley Hall (right) presented Jerry Latvala (left), Coastal Key Account Manager and volunteer with Angel Flight, with the donation. 

BrunswickForest Park Recognizes Partners

Forest Park Chapter took an opportunity to recognize thebusinesses who partner with them in service to their community. Everyone enjoys being appreciated!

Milledgeville/Plant Branch

Chapter PresidentDiana Chow

presentsNickey Gregory

a plaque of appreciation.Mr. Gregory

donates the foodeach week that

the chapter delivers to shelters.

The chapter recognized Blanchard’s Bakery for their Donation of cakes and pastries for events throughout theyear.

The chapter recognized Darbi Lynn and Keystone Financialwho volunteers on projects with the group.

Brunswick

Left to Right; Felicia Fuller, Kingsland Nurse; Lisa Crosby, Administrator; Ronnie Highsmith, Chapter Treasurer; Leah Beasley, Chapter President; Leo Geer, Chapter 2nd VP; Patrick Eades, Executive Director;Belinda Thornton, Jesup Center Director; Cyndie Casey, Director of Pregnancy Resources; Diana McDonald, Kingsland Center Director; Peggy Keithcart, Director of Medical Services; Myra Jones, Jesup Nurse

Brunswick Chapter made a $950 year-end donation toCareNet Pregnancy Center of Coastal Georgia

Plant Vogtle

2013 Chapter Officers at Plant Vogtle (left to right) Treasurer Ella Jordan, Corr. Secretary Pam Lambert,Recording Secretary Sylvia Lessington; First V.P.Rabiyyah Malik-Jones, President Bob Brinkman –not pictured is Second V.P. Jessie Coley

Plant Vogtle’s new officers are kicking off multiple membership drives beginning at the end of January andrunning through February. Units 3 & 4 are being targeted for the drives and excitement about Citizens ofGeorgia Power is growing at Vogtle!

Plant Scherer Chapter Match

$2500 to Methodist Children’s Home in Macon

$2500 to Jay’s Hope In Forsyth

Gwinnett Chapter’s Annual Bring One for the Chipper

On Saturday, January 26, 12 volunteers spent 3 hours eachhauling Christmas trees to the chipper trucks to make mulch for walking trails in the park.

The Citizens of Georgia Power Chapters in East Region (Augusta, Thomson, Waynesboro, Plant Vogtle,) along with the Augusta Ambassadors are partnering to visit and provide “goodie bags” to employees, retirees, and their immediate families who are sent to Augusta Area hospitals.

The chapters will rotate months on call and send a representative to visit the family, taking along a bag of items useful when staying at the hospital along with contact numbers for questions and information on local facilities, restaurants, hotels, transportation, etc.

In order to participate, the family should live at least 50 miles one way from the Augusta hospital. If you know any employee, retiree, or immediate family member sent to Augusta for hospitalization, please call 706-739-1498.

East Region Hospitality Project

Now Showing

Volunteers began at 9:30 a.m. when16 members reported to the Macon City Auditorium to decorate 65 tables. At 6:00 p.m., 19 members reported to the City Auditorium to work as Greeters/Ushers and stayed for cleanup and collecting the table decorations provided by the chapter.

Live at the

Cardiac Café

Saturday, February 9

Chapter Supports AnnualFundraiser for

American Heart Associationfor 23rd consecutive year!

This is the most successful fundraiser for the Heart Association in Macon!

Heart of GA/Macon Valentine Fundraisers

Flowers & BearsThe chapter sold roses andstuffed bears with candy.

Proceeds will go tothe children’s

holiday project.