FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in the area, Southwest Rural Electric Association, Inc. (SWRE) has transitioned the membership meeting set for Thursday, August 19, at Wilbarger Auditorium in Vernon, Texas to a Drive-Thru Annual Meeting.
Registration will take place from 5 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. in the auditorium parking lots. SWRE members will be able to participate without leaving their vehicles. Most members have received a registration card attached to their July electric bill that was mailed in early August. Members who are enrolled in electronic statements have been mailed the registration card separately. It is important that members bring the registration card with them to the meeting.
SWRE employees will be on site to direct traffic, register members and distribute door prizes. Each membership that registers will receive a door prize bag (insulated grocery tote) with items including an ice cream scoop, glow-in-the-dark outage magnet, SWRE hat, first aid kit, etc. Each registered membership will also receive a $25 Energy Credit that will be applied to a future electric bill.
The live entertainment and business meetings have been cancelled for this year. For information about the state of the cooperative, members are encouraged to read the Annual Report that was published in the August editions of Oklahoma Living magazine, Texas Co-op Power magazine and this website.
The prize drawings will take place live on Facebook on Wednesday, August 25 at 10 a.m. on the Southwest Rural Electric Facebook page. Only members who attended the drive-thru registration in Vernon will be entered in to win 100 prizes available. Instructions for claiming prizes will be discussed during the live video. SWRE will not be giving away kids’ bicycles this year as previously advertised, but members can expect a chance to win additional SWRE Energy Credits and the grand-prize 65-inch TV.
“Converting from an in-person event to a drive-thru meeting comes out of an abundance of caution for the safety of SWRE members and employees,” said CEO Jeff Simpson. “It has been two years since our co-op members have been able to safely gather, and we have certainly missed the fellowship with you. Come to the drive-thru event in Vernon on August 19 so we can give you prizes and see your smiling faces. You will never forget the year SWRE held an Annual Meeting from the comfort of the driver’s seat of your favorite ride.”
