What inspires someone to dedicate years of their life to serving their community?

In this episode of Watt's Up Wednesday, B.J. Myers sits down with Darrell Smith, the longest-serving member of the Southeastern Indiana REMC Board of Directors, for a personal conversation about leadership, service, and the cooperative difference.

Rather than talking about board meetings and policies, Darrell shares the story behind his decision to serve, the lessons he's learned over the years, the changes he's witnessed, and what continues to motivate him after decades of representing his fellow members.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• What inspired Darrell to run for the Board of Directors
• The biggest changes he's seen during his years of service
• The cooperative values that have remained constant
• A project or accomplishment he's especially proud of
• His hopes for the future of Southeastern Indiana REMC
• Advice for the next generation of cooperative members and leaders

This conversation offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the people who help guide your cooperative—and a reminder that leadership is ultimately about serving others.

🎧 Listen now and discover why Darrell continues to serve, and how local leadership helps keep Southeastern Indiana REMC focused on what matters most: its members.

What does it really mean to be part of a cooperative?

In this solo episode of Watt's Up Wednesday, B.J. Myers reflects on the conversations we've shared over the past month—from leadership and community service to communications and employee engagement—and explores the common thread that connects them all.

The answer isn't power lines or fiber optic cable.

It's people.

Throughout the episode, B.J. shares how Southeastern Indiana REMC is built on relationships, service, and a commitment to working together to strengthen the communities we call home. It's a reminder that every employee, Board member, volunteer, and member plays a role in shaping the future of the cooperative.

You'll also hear why some of the best ideas begin with a simple conversation—and why your voice matters.

Whether you've been a member for decades or are just getting to know your cooperative, this episode is a reminder that community isn't something someone else builds.

It starts with each of us.

🎧 Listen now and discover how your cooperative is powered by people—and why community starts with YOU.

Have an idea for a future podcast episode or a question you'd like us to answer? We'd love to hear from you! Send us your suggestions at www.seiremc.com or connect with us on social media.

Behind every great member experience is a great team.

In this episode of Watt's Up Wednesday, B.J. Myers sits down with Lori Miller, Human Resources Specialist at Southeastern Indiana REMC, to talk about the people who power your cooperative.

From recruiting talented employees to welcoming new team members and supporting career growth, Lori shares what it takes to build a workforce that's committed to serving our members and communities.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• What Southeastern Indiana REMC looks for when hiring new employees
• The wide variety of career opportunities available at the cooperative
• The current job openings and who we're looking for
• What makes working for an electric cooperative unique
• Tips for anyone interested in joining the Southeastern Indiana REMC team

Whether you're exploring a new career, know someone who might be a great fit, or simply want to learn more about the people behind your cooperative, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how we're growing our team to better serve southeastern Indiana.

🎧 Listen now and discover why investing in great people is one of the best ways we can continue delivering exceptional service to our members.

To learn more about current career opportunities or apply online, visit www.seiremc.com/careers.

What does the Communications & Creative Services team actually do at Southeastern Indiana REMC?

In this episode of Watt's Up Wednesday, B.J. Myers sits down with Autumn Kolbinsky, Creative Services Specialist, and Jen Saner, Marketing & Member Engagement Specialist, for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the work that keeps members informed, engaged, and connected.

From producing REMC Connect and managing the SEI REMC and SEI Fiber websites to planning community events, creating social media campaigns, and sharing member stories, Autumn and Jen explain how a small team works together to bring the cooperative's mission to life every day.

You'll also learn:

• How our website has become a powerful self-service tool for members
• What goes into producing REMC Connect each month
• Why community events and county fairs are about much more than giveaways
• How we plan and execute communication campaigns throughout the year
• Where to find programs, rebates, scholarships, Co-op Kids Club, SEI Fiber information, and more

Whether you've ever wondered how the magazine comes together, who manages the website, or why you'll find Southeastern Indiana REMC out in the community, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people and purpose behind the work.

🎧 Listen now and discover why Southeastern Indiana REMC is about more than keeping the lights on—it's about keeping our members connected.

What happens after members round up their electric bills to the next dollar?

In this week's episode of Watt's Up Wednesday, B.J. Myers is joined by Bryan Miller, Vice President of IT & Diversified Services at Southeastern Indiana REMC and a new member of the Operation RoundUp Board of Trustees, to take you behind the scenes of the grant review process.

As a first-time trustee, Bryan shares his perspective on reviewing grant applications, the thoughtful discussions that take place during the selection process, and the Board's commitment to ensuring every dollar donated by members is invested where it can have the greatest impact.

In this episode:
🤝 Meet Bryan Miller, SEI REMC's Vice President of IT & Diversified Services and a new Operation RoundUp trustee
💙 Learn how Operation RoundUp transforms spare change into community impact
📝 Get an inside look at how the Board evaluates grant applications
🎯 Discover why every funding decision begins with the Operation RoundUp mission
💵 Hear how an additional $25,000 contribution from Hoosier Energy allowed the Board to fund more community projects than ever before
🌟 Learn why serving as an Operation RoundUp trustee is both rewarding and challenging

Every month, thousands of SEI REMC members voluntarily round up their electric bill to the next whole dollar. Those few cents may seem small, but together they create meaningful support for local nonprofits, youth programs, emergency services, food pantries, educational initiatives, and other organizations that strengthen the communities we serve.

🎙️ Watt's Up Wednesday is your weekly source for cooperative news, community stories, energy tips, fiber updates, and conversations with the people who help power southeastern Indiana.

Learn more about Operation RoundUp, view this year's grant recipients, or enroll in the program at www.seiremc.com/operationroundup.

What does "community power" really mean?

In this special Independence Day edition of Watt's Up Wednesday, B.J. Myers is joined by Southeastern Indiana REMC CEO Keith Mathews to kick off our July theme, Celebrating Community Power. Together, they discuss how neighbors helping neighbors, local leadership, volunteerism, and the cooperative model continue to strengthen the communities we serve.

In this episode:
* A conversation with CEO Keith Mathews about the meaning of community power
🤝 How the cooperative model is built on people working together
⚡ Why SEI REMC members are more than customers—they're member-owners
❤️ How Operation RoundUp demonstrates the power of small acts of generosity
🎡 An update from the Ohio County Fair
🎆 Fourth of July safety reminders and holiday wishes

As we celebrate Independence Day, we're reminded that the greatest strength of our communities isn't found in our infrastructure—it's found in the people who serve, volunteer, lead, and look out for one another every day.

🎙️ Watt's Up Wednesday is your weekly source for cooperative news, community stories, energy tips, fiber updates, and conversations with the people who help power southeastern Indiana.

Learn more at www.seiremc.com

Looking for ways to stay comfortable and save energy this summer?

In this week's episode of Watt's Up Wednesday, B.J. Myers shares practical tips to help your home run more efficiently during the hottest months of the year. From improving cooling performance to understanding how the time of day you use electricity can impact overall energy demand, this episode is packed with simple ideas that can make a difference.

In this episode:
☀️ Easy ways to improve your home's cooling efficiency
☀️ Why changing your air filter matters
☀️ Tips for maintaining your outdoor air conditioning unit
☀️ How the Time of Day Rate works during summer peak hours
☀️ Electric outdoor equipment rebates available through SEI REMC
☀️ Updates from the Dearborn County and Ohio County Fairs
☀️ Final reminder about SEI Fiber's 3 Months Free promotion ending June 30

Whether you're looking to lower energy use, improve comfort, or take advantage of available rebates, this episode offers helpful information to keep your summer running smoothly.

🎙️ Watt's Up Wednesday is your weekly source for cooperative news, energy tips, fiber updates, community stories, and information that matters to Southeastern Indiana REMC members.

Learn more at www.seiremc.com

Is your internet connection as fast and reliable as it could be?

In this week's episode of Watt's Up Wednesday, B.J. Myers shares five simple ways to improve your home Wi-Fi experience—from router placement and eliminating dead zones to managing connected devices and keeping your network secure.

You'll also hear:
⚡ A recap from the Jennings County Fair
⚡ A preview of the upcoming Dearborn County Fair
⚡ Why the average home now has more than 20 connected devices
⚡ How mesh Wi-Fi systems can improve coverage throughout your home
⚡ Information about Operation RoundUp and how it supports local organizations
⚡ A reminder about SEI Fiber's 3 Months Free promotion ending June 30

Whether you're streaming, working remotely, gaming, or simply browsing the web, these practical tips can help you get more from your internet connection.

🎙️ Watt's Up Wednesday is your weekly source for cooperative news, energy tips, fiber updates, community stories, and information that matters to Southeastern Indiana REMC members.

Learn more at www.seiremc.com

Welcome to Watt's Up Wednesday, a weekly update from Southeastern Indiana REMC and SEI Fiber.

This week, we're talking about Connected Living and how reliable internet service has become an essential part of everyday life in rural communities. From working remotely and online learning to telehealth appointments, smart home technology, and staying connected with family and friends, connectivity powers more of our daily routines than ever before.

In this episode:
⚡ Acknowledging last week's widespread fiber outage and thanking members for their patience
⚡ Why connectivity has become an essential service
⚡ How technology is changing the way we live, work, and communicate
⚡ A surprising statistic about the number of connected devices in the average home
⚡ An update from the Jennings County Fair
⚡ A reminder about SEI Fiber's 3 Months Free promotion ending June 30

Join us each Wednesday as we share cooperative news, energy tips, fiber updates, community stories, and information that matters to members across southeastern Indiana.

Learn more at www.seiremc.com

In this episode of SEI REMC Deep Dive, we explore what “reliability” really means in a modern rural electric cooperative—and it goes far beyond keeping the lights on.

From maintaining nearly 3,500 miles of electric line to expanding high-speed fiber internet, Southeastern Indiana REMC is building an interconnected system that powers not just homes, but entire communities. We break down how proactive grid maintenance, smart technology, and innovative programs like the “Always On” bundle are reshaping energy reliability.

But this episode isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about people. Hear how local employees, farmers, small business owners, and even elementary students play a role in strengthening the cooperative model. Discover how small actions—like voting in board elections or rounding up your bill—can have a big impact on your community.

Ultimately, this conversation challenges us to rethink our role: Are we just consumers of power, or active participants in the systems that sustain our daily lives?