manager's message

Over the past year, we have mentioned a program called "Operation Roundup." This program is offered on a voluntary basis to all members. Across our nation over 200 cooperatives have implemented this program with overwhelming success.

Your cooperative has filed and is expecting approval in the very near future from the IRS, for this nonprofit foundation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this foundation is to acquire, accumulate and disperse funds for charitable and educational purposes as permitted by Section 501(C)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code. Your community, your school, and/or your nonprofit organization may be eligible for funding through this program. The region served by the foundation is primarily the electrical area served by High Plains Power.

HOW IT WORKS: Funding for the foundation comes from the Cooperative's customers who agree to voluntarily participate. The process is simple members who volunteer to take part in the program have their electric bills rounded up to the next highest dollar amount with the extra cents going into the foundation. For example, if your bill is $44.39 it would be rounded up to $45 and the $0.61 would be donated to the non-profit foundation. The most the customer cold contribute on an annual basis for any single meter would be $11.88 ($0.99 x 12 months).

There's no need to worry about rounding up your bill because our computer will do that for you. Your contributions to Operation Roundup will be shown on the January bill and are tax deductible.

GOVERNANCE: The current Board of Directors of High Plains Power will serve on the Board for the nonprofit foundation. Board members volunteer their time and do not receive any payment for their services. The foundation will be audited on an annual basis.

The potential contributions for this program are enormous at High Plains Power. If we have 100% of our members participate, we could generate approximately $5,500 per month, at a cost of pennies to you, the member-owner. These monies will be redistributed back into our communities to help educate our youth or benefit the needy.

Bill stuffers will be sent out in the near future for you to sign up for this worthy cause. All you have to do is check that you want to participate and return with your bill. You can also call the office or send an email.

In closing, the Board, staff and employees of High Plains Power wish you a very Merry Christmas and ask that you say a prayer for members and families who have loved ones serving in our military.