From approving the annual budget and work plan to advocating for members in Raleigh and Washington, DC, the Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative (CCEC) Board of Directors always keeps its members at heart. After all, you are the owners of the co-op, and you elect directors to represent you and protect your interests.
"As directors of your cooperative, we are driven by a sense of mission and purpose," said Board President Amy Lock. "Our team feels a strong connection to our community and our members because we live here too."
As part of the co-op business model, one of our core principles is “Concern for Community.” While our priority is always to provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy, we view our role in the community as a catalyst for good.
Giving Back
"It’s important to let you know just what an impact you have on our co-op and the greater community, likely in ways you may not even realize," Lock continued. “In this season of giving, we want to recognize those of you who have your electric bill rounded up to the nearest dollar each month through our Operation RoundUP® program.”
Funds collected through RoundUP® are managed by co-op members who agree to serve on the Carteret-Craven Electric Foundation board and review grant requests from a variety of local charitable partners and organizations, such as food pantries, nonprofit healthcare programs and facilities, shelters for the homeless and victims of domestic violence, emergency heating and cooling assistance, and many others.
We work closely with our local schools to provide safety and career information, award scholarships and Bright Ideas Education Program grants. Each spring the co-op hosts students from our local high schools for line technician camp. Since beginning the line technician camp in 2022, the co-op has hired two camp participants.
We also send high school students to the NC Cooperative Council’s Co-op Leadership Camp and the Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Fifth and sixth graders can apply to attend the University of North Carolina Basketball Schools for boys and NC State Basketball Camp for girls.
“Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you!” Lock said. “You empower the co-op through your membership and through your participation in and support of these programs.” For more information or to sign up for Operation RoundUP®, visit ccemc.com/RoundUp.
Your Voice
Looking ahead to 2025, we hope you will share your opinions with us. We recognize that our members have a valuable perspective, and that’s why we continually seek your input. Whether through community events, our social media channels or the annual meeting, we want to hear from you. We are led by you – the members of the co-op – and we depend on your feedback. Be sure to mark your calendar for May 1, 2025, to attend the 85th Annual Meeting of the Membership. It will be an evening of food, entertainment, and prizes.
Powering On
While our area was fortunate not to be impacted by any major weather events this year, several of our sister cooperatives were not as lucky. Through the power of mutual aid, CCEC and co-ops from all over N.C. and beyond worked together to restore power after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. We appreciate the words of encouragement our lineworkers and other employees receive when they are working in severe weather and dangerous conditions, weather they are working locally or assisting another co-op.
“In 1940, CCEC was formed by 444 of the area's fishermen and farmers to bring electricity to small towns and rural areas. These individuals saw a need and worked together to bring power to the community,” Lock said. “In that same spirit, let’s continue to power on together, making our corner of the world a better place."
As we prepare for next year, we look forward to the opportunity to serve you and the greater community. On behalf of the CCEC family, we hope your holidays are indeed merry and bright! We wish you and your loved ones peace, joy, and prosperity. Merry Christmas and happy new year!
