Would you like to be updated when issues of importance to rural electric cooperatives are being considered by the Oklahoma Legislature?

Grassroots Oklahoma (GO) is a legislative contact network established by SWRE and other Oklahoma electric cooperatives to keep you informed when your help is needed to call or write elected officials regarding bills that have been introduced in the legislature or legislative committees. You can sign up to be a GO Network participant by contacting SWRE.

The GO network will be activated when your help is needed regarding a particular piece of legislation. At that time, the Oklahoma statewide organization will send out a letter to SWRE outlining the bill, its strengths and its faults. SWRE will then relay that information to the co-op's GO members who will be asked to either phone, e-mail or write letters to the legislators to outline our position.

Results of past GO Network action has been encouraging. If you would like to be involved in this program, call or e-mail Keith Bonham (keithb@swre.com) or Joe Wynn (joew@swre.com) at SWRE – 1-800-256-7973.

All of our Oklahoma members are encouraged to participate in this program because the results not only affect Oklahoma rural electric cooperatives, but the services that we provide to our valued members.

Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) is an organization that gives consumers and rural electric employees a voice at the U.S. Capitol.

ACRE works to help members and elected officials better understand important issues that affect rural electric cooperatives. ACRE also supports political candidates – those serving in Congress and those running – who will speak for and work to protect the interests of your electric cooperative and co-ops nationwide.

ACRE currently has approximately 25,000 members.

To join, a $25 membership fee and registration is required. With membership, you will receive quarterly issues of ACRE Action newsletter which includes legislative alerts, profiles of cooperative leaders, and other timely features.

If you are interested in joining ACRE, contact Sue Patterson (suep@swre.com) at 1-800-256-7973.