Central Connection Podcast

It may be a new year, but it's the same old scams. Whether it's someone pretending to be a CAEC employee and demanding payment or trying to steal your personal info, beat scammers at their own game by being aware of some common red flags. 

 On Nov. 28, 1938, rural Alabama residents filed the incorporation papers for Central Alabama Electric Corporation and the rest, as they say, is history. Join us as we take a quick decade by decade look at some important moments of CAEC's history. From politics, Y2K, epic storms, home economics and more, we've seen a lot and we're ready for the future!

Did you know that along with being the spooooookiest of all the months, October is also National Co-op Month? To really get into the co-op spirit, we sat down with CAEC's very own Connie Bainbridge and Lori Williams to learn more about the role the co-op plays in Economic Development, as well as how it helps demonstrate our core principle of "concern for community." 

One of the banner programs cooperatives offer is Youth Tour! But have you ever wondered what the students who participate in the program get out of it? We sit down with two of the 2023 Youth Tour delegates to get the dirt on what this program means to them, what they gained from it and how it's impacting their lives. Oh, and by the way, applications for the 2024 Youth Tour are open now through January 2024! 

We love our community. We love our teachers. We love to help teachers engage the young minds in our communities through the Bright Ideas Grant Program. We spoke with guests and local educators, Emily Gregory of Pine Level Elementary School and Gylendora Davis of Billingsley School, about the Bright Ideas Grant program and how it's impacted their classrooms. So teachers, this is for you! Y'all rock!

We held CAEC's Annual Meeting on August 11 and took the CCP on the road to talk to you-- the members! Join Beth as she talks to people about the importance of Annual Meeting, Central Access, cooperative membership and so much more during our episode about you, by you and all about you!

Annual Meeting, voting, co-op principles, a Central Access update - we have it all and more in episode 7! You hear us say it all the time- without you, there is no us, and nothing exemplifies this concept more than Annual Meeting and our annual trustee election. We're joined by Board Member Terry Mitchell and our President & CEO Tom Stackhouse to discuss why we have these events, what makes co-ops different, the importance of Co-op Principle #2 and some details of this year's election as well as our in-person and virtual Annual Meeting on Aug. 11. 

Storms happen, and when they do we often think of the brave line workers who go out and restore power. But there's another group of folks who take your phone calls, answer your questions and embody the co-op heart. Join us as we learn what it's like to help our members on the other end of a phone line. 

Safety - it's something we all want, but sometimes we take it for granted. Whether you're a lineman working in the field or just trying to drive to work, taking a little time can go a long way. Join us and CAEC Manager of Training & Safety, Michael Kelley, as we discuss the importance of safety as well as our ability (or lack thereof) to do the SAFETY Dance. 

Lineman Appreciation Day is April 18, and we had the chance to speak with two of our own about the hard job they do, why they do it and even an encounter with a hairless squirrel. So take a listen and always, thank a lineman!