Dennis Svanes, General Manager/CEO
Fall is a busy time, and October is a particularly eventful month with school, community and sports activities in full swing. Cooperatives nationwide are also celebrating National Co-op Month.
When 4 Rivers celebrates Co-op Month, we are celebrating you! After all, our co-op would not exist without you, our consumer-members.
Our core business purpose is to serve as your electricity provider, but the larger mission of the co-op is to help make our corner of the world a better place. Concern for Community is one of Seven Cooperative Principles that all co-ops share.
Just as the power lines run through our service territory, our concern for community flows through all of our decisions — because being a co-op means being a responsible partner and good neighbor.
4 Rivers works to help our community thrive through initiatives led by our employees and local board comprised of neighbors who live right here in our community. Because we are local, we understand our community’s unique needs and strive to help meet them.
We are proud to support local youth through leadership programs, such as the Co-op Youth Tour and lineworker scholarships. With your help, our Quarter Quest program provides food assistance to our community’s most vulnerable children. We support area 4-H programs, student athletes and events, as well as community festivals and educational events like Old Iron Days and the Kansas Kid Wind Challenge. Our co-op board and employees are at the heart of our communities, volunteering as coaches, organization leaders, and supporters of non-profit groups and our area youth.
In the fall, we enjoy hosting pre-game football tailgates at area high schools and visiting with community and co-op members.
For you local shutterbugs, we host our Co-op Month photo contest each October highlighting our beautiful service territory.
Additionally, we are approaching our 2023 election cycle for the board of trustees of 4 Rivers. Candidate packets, which include the petition for nomination form, will be available on our website on December 1. The 2023 election incorporates the new consolidated districts implemented by the board and starts reducing the number of trustees on the board. There will be an election in each of the three new districts. If you are interested in running for the board, visit www.4riverselectric.com for more information or call and visit with me or one of my staff. I am happy to discuss the role of the board and its importance to 4 Rivers’ membership with anyone interested in learning more about their cooperative.