July 2015

GreyStone gears up for board elections

Home tips to help you stay cool this summer

Co-op membership has many benefits

In a world where value can eas-ily be associated with fast food meals and how much we get for our money, it’s easy to see how our culture has defined the word value. When I hear the word value, I instantly think bar-gain and what kind of deal I am going to get. Perhaps it’s a monetary savings or a special benefit that others may not get. Think about it. Doesn’t it make you feel good when you walk out of a store knowing you have just saved a good bit of money—whether it’s $1 or $125? “Now that’s a value,” you may say to yourself. The bottom line is we want more for less. I’ll take it even a step further. As consumers, if we like or don’t like a product or service, we voice our opinions because we want the busi-ness to know what we think, with the hopes our voices are heard. A good example of this is consumers speak-ing out about wanting healthier food choices on restaurant menus, for both adults and children. Often you find that consumers’ voices were heard and healthier choices have been added to the menus. As a GreyStone Power member, you are part of a cooperative that believes in providing value and ask-ing for your opinions. Your thoughts matter, and we ask that they be voiced every fall when you have the ability to vote for three seats on our Board of Directors. These elections are held yearly for rotating districts. Watch for

your ballot in the mail at the end of August. Your board and employees value you as the owners of this member-owned electric cooperative (co-op). We are dedicated to providing you with the best electric service at the lowest possible rates. This is one area where we differ significantly from investor-owned utilities (IOUs), which operate to maximize profits for shareholders. Co-ops operate to provide at-cost electric service to their members. Any margins the co-op earns are used to maintain operations or are returned to you each year in the form of a capital credits check. We offer a number of additional benefits specifically for GreyStone members that range from energy effi-ciency rebates, to discounts received both locally and nationally through the Co-op Connections® Card (CCC). Each year our Energy Services department offers two free energy efficiency seminars. Energy Efficiency 101 is specifically designed to provide tips that can be used to lower monthly electric bills and answer members’ questions about becoming more energy efficient. The department also offers free home energy audits, which can help determine what areas of the home need a concentrated effort in order to become more efficient. To schedule an appointment for your home, call 770-370-2070. Aside from the in-house services

Value – What does it really mean?

One of GreyStone’s guiding principles is to surpass your needs and expectations. New bill pay-ment kiosks have been installed at both our Douglasville and Dallas offices, designed to make paying your bill more convenient, less expensive and solidly secure. The kiosks will take credit cards, debit cards, cash and check payments.

By the mailing date of this publication, other kiosk locations throughout our service area will be available. Read our website and other communications to learn when those become operational, and where they are located.

As our most recent Pub-lic Service Commission survey

shows, being a GreyStone member comes with real value: consistently

paying a more afford-able electric bill than others pay due to the

co-op’s status as a low-cost leader among cooperatives and other utilities (psc.state.ga.us). Our kiosks are another

way we are working to keep your costs down. Come try them out!

Gary Miller, President/CEO

M i l l e r ’sMinute

A LOOK INSIDE: p. C HOW CAN YOU SAVE THROUGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY? VOLUME 3 • NUMBER 3 • JULY 2015

GreyStoneThe

C o n n e c t i o nT H E P O W E R O F M E M B E R C O N N E C T I O N S

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By AMANDA BUSBY, Editor

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we offer, GreyStone also partners with ancillary companies that offer our members discounts and services. Among these is Gas South, which offers a monthly discount to all mem-bers, and EMC Security, owned by GreyStone Power, Jackson and Walton EMCs, providing cutting-edge security options for our members, including medical alert and home entertainment services. As a member-owner, you also have the ability to join the member-owned GEMC Federal Credit Union. Select organizations and businesses are members, giving their employees and members the ability to join, which in turn offers you exclusive benefits, including low-interest rates for loans and mortgages. The credit union provides a wide array of financial services, includingfree dividend-paying checking and high-dividend savings accounts. Members can also purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle with low financing and receive special finance rates for energy-efficient home improvements

through the HomePlus Loan. As mentioned above, the CCC is a unique offering for members. Over 325 local businesses participate in the pro-gram to offer you a unique discount, in addition to the hundreds of discounts you can find nationally! Through this program, you also have access to savings on many household items through coupons.com and to more than 1,000 retailers online through connections.coop/cashbackmall, which

allows you to earn free cash back on purchases made through the site. Your card also provides health discounts on prescriptions and for vision, dental, hearing, chiropractic and lab and imag-ing services. You can learn more about this program by visiting connections.coop/greystonepower or by calling 770-370-2273. For more information about your membership benefits, call 770-942-6576 or visit greystonepower.com.

GreyStone gearing up for elections GreyStone Power is gearing up for elections to fill three seats on the board to be announced on Oct. 10 at the Annual Meeting of Members. In preparation, the GreyStone Nomi-nating Committee met Wednesday, May 6, to select nominees for the three seats. Genevieve Cole, District 1, Paulding, Bartow; Neal Dettmer-ing, District 4, Carroll, Douglas; and Jim Johns, District 8, Douglas, are the selected nominees. Directors currently serving and retiring this year are Calvin Earwood, District 1 and Burnell Redding, District 4. Jim Johns, District 8, will be seeking re-election. Eligible members may still be nominated by submitting a petition signed by 50 or more GreyStone members of record (the name must appear on the electric bill). Call 770-370-2066 to request a petition or

print the online petition at greystonepower.com. The deadline to submit the completed petition and required candidate affida-vit, also available on the website, is Thursday, July 2. If you are unable to determine the district in which you reside, or need additional information, call GreyStone’s independent legal counsel, Steve Minor, at 770-214-5108. All nominees are subject to a criminal background check, must live within the geo-graphic boundary of the district they seek to represent and meet all other conditions of eligibility. Candidates desiring to have their name and biographical infor-mation included in the Annual Meeting ballot edition must submit information in the format and

manner required by the Credentials and Elections Committee by Friday, July 10. Members of the Nominating Committee are Dennis E. Lester, District 1; Beatrice McClung, District 2; James S. Smith, District 3; Pat Skin-ner, District 4; Kathy Patman, District 5; Laurie Searle, District 6; Harold Reid, District 7; Ed McCray, District 8; and James R. Storey, District 9.

Benefits cheat sheet• Low electric rates – In Georgia, 11th lowest in summer and 12th

lowest in winter among 94 providers • Capital credits check – Margins returned to you each fall• GEMC Federal Credit Union – Membership, financial and car services• Co-op Connections® Card – Discount savings locally and nationally• EMC Security – Discounts on home and business security• Gas South – Special member discounts• SurgeMaster Plus – Power surge protection• Operation Round Up® – Community-focused charity • Green Power EMC – Renewable energy• Energy efficiency seminars – Learn energy-saving skills• Free energy audits – Discover areas to improve savings• Rebates – Energy efficiency improvements

You can postpone the use of major appliances that produce heat, such as clothes dryers and dishwash-ers, until late in the evening or early in the morning. Use of microwave ovens instead of conventional ovens will use up to 70 percent less energy and also release far less heat into the kitchen.

The use of energy-efficient light bulbs, such as CFLs or LEDs, requires less electricity and emits little heat. Turn off all unnecessary lights and check for any computers, TVs, stereo equipment and other appliances that may be on but aren’t in use. They not only use extra electricity, they add heat to the house that increases cooling costs.

The value of your membership is important to GreyStone as we continue to communicate energy-related infor-mation that can help you use energy wisely. For information on all member programs and rebates, call Residential Energy Services at 770-370-2070.

When I was a kid, and it was hot outside as it is now, we looked for ways that would help keep us cool. We did not have air conditioning. Some of you can remember how hot the summers seemed to be before air condition-ing was commonplace. We had water fights and we filled up glasses with water to throw at each other. There really wasn’t a loser in that game as getting wet cooled us off. This was a game to be played outside, however.

These days, cooling off with air conditioning is usually a better method than throwing water at each other. At the same time, we understand that with air conditioning comes an energy cost. With that in mind, you may want to consider the several ways listed below that will help you reduce cool-ing costs this summer.

A thermostat setting of 78 degrees or higher is recommended. If this seems unreasonable or uncomfort-able for you, then consider setting it at the highest comfortable tempera-ture. Check your filter once per month during the high-use hot weather and replace it when needed. A clean filter is the cheapest and best way of ensuring clean air, proper air flow and system efficiency.

Ceiling fans can also help you reduce energy costs. The wind chill from fans will allow you to turn your air conditioning thermostat up a couple of degrees, saving energy costs. Also be aware that fans should be turned on only when you are in the area of the fan’s air flow.

Remember to leave the door open to bedrooms that do not have an indi-vidual air return in order to allow prop-er air flow. Keeping these doors closed will cause improper air flow, increasing your cooling costs.

Keep as much heat out of your house as possible by closing drapes and blinds on the sunny side of the house. The sun streaming in through a window can add considerable heat to a room and make it harder to cool.

Mark your calendar for our next EE101 on Nov. 10, 2015! To register or for more information, call 770-370-2252.

Rudy Echols Energy Services Manager

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DIY top three

1. Set your thermostat to the highest temperature most

comfortable for you.

2. Check your filter monthly and change when needed.

3. For more information on ener-gy savings programs, rebates,

or to schedule a free home energy audit call 770-370-2070.

D o I t Yo u r s e l fAsk the Expert

GET EQUIPPED WITH DO-IT-YOURSELF

SKILLS AND LOWER YOUR ENERGY BILL

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With changes in health care insur-ance, discounts have become very important to many members. When you are sick, prescriptions are often an unavoidable expense. Doesn’t it help to know that by using your Co-op Connec-tions Card (CCC) you can save on your prescriptions with your local pharmacy?

Not only do you receive dis-counts with participating business-es locally and nationally, but with Healthy Savings, using your CCC at your local pharmacy, you will be able to receive 10 percent to 85 percent off your prescription drugs. Your discount is available at over 60,000 national and regional pharmacy chain stores, including Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens, Target, Kroger and many more.

By searching online through con-nections.coop, you have the ability to look up drug prices by location by click-ing the link for Rxpricequotes.com. At Rx-pricequotes.com, you will find frequenty asked questions, savings examples, a list of participating chains and a Drug Pricing Lookup Tool. The Drug Pricing

Lookup Tool allows you to find the cost of your medications before you visit the pharmacy. For those on a limited income, this tool can be very helpful when budgeting prescription costs.

Be sure to show your CCC when you submit your prescription to the pharmacist. The pharmacy computer system will compare the CCC con-tracted discounted price with your insurance cost (if you have it) and the pharmacy’s retail price. You will pay the lowest of the compared prices.

Pharmacy discounts are not insur-ance and are not intended as a substi-tute for insurance. In many cases, you

may find that your prescription cost is lower using the CCC than your insur-ance plan.

The Healthy Savings program can also provide discounts on dental, vision, hearing, chiropractic, lab and imaging. Let this all-in-one card help you save money on your needed prescriptions and more!

Since 2007, members have saved nearly $2 million on prescription costs. Take advantage of the savings today

by calling 770-370-2273 to request your card! To learn more about the various CCC programs and get the most up-to-date business discount

listing, visit online at connections.coop/greystonepower.

Look who updated their offers!

Jean Bentley, Licensed Massage TherapistLithia Springs . . . . . . . . . . 770-617-4908First massage $39.

M e m b e r S av i n g sCo-op Connections® Card

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THAT'S THE POWER OF CO-OP MEMBERSHIPSavings on everyday items. Like up to 85% off

prescription drugs at participating pharmacies nationwide.

FIND ALL THE WAYS TO SAVE AT

CONNECTIONS.COOP/greystonepower

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GreyStone Power news alertMember Savings

Knine TechnologiesDouglasville . . . . . . . . . . . 770-627-530510% discount off any new security system or camera installation.

Dance Fever StudioDallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-443-4445$10 yearly registration fee with 50% discount on first month’s tuition for new dancers.

Weldon Smith Services Heating & CoolingPowder Springs . . . . . . . . . . .770-941-4696$65 diagnostic available by showing Con-nections Card. Offer valid to new custom-ers only. $5 off of diagnostic or repair with donation of 10 canned or dry goods to be donated to local food banks.

The Socialprenista, Certified Business and Life CoachWinston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-744-4475One free 30-minute consultation when you show your Co-op Connections Card.

Heavenly Interior Designs, LLCPowder Springs . . . . . . . . . . .770-317-3050Free 30-minute consultation via phone or Skype, plus an additional 10% savings on any project.

Maximum One, Faye Ette Williams, RealtorMableton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-408-2966Sellers will receive a 1% discount on their listing commission.

Sanders Electric Inc.Powder Springs . . . . . . . . . . .770-439-189610% off any service call.

Sport ClipsHiram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-943-5610$3 off an MVP service.

Thumb Swipe Graphix, LLCDallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-685-9759Free 2-by-3-foot printed banner with any order over $200 ($135 value). 12-by-24-inch printed magnet signs $49.99 per pair (no limit).

Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services, LLCAtlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-776-885215% off total fee.

Home Liquidation Discount Doors and moreDouglasville . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-635-710312% off total purchase of products. Instal-lation fee not included.

Legal ShieldDouglasville . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-912-9193Enrollment fee waived; $39 monthly fee for small businesses with 10 or fewer employees.

Mary Kay Cosmetics: Sonya PriestDallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-286-2448Complimentary facial and 15% off first order; 10% discount thereafter.

Foreclosure International GroupAtlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-256-7881$500 off the initial service. One-time discount only.

Avon by StephanieDouglasville . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-993-293220% off all online orders; 15% off brochure orders.

Thirty-One Gifts: Sonya PriestDallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-286-244815% off first order; 10% orders thereafter.

D&W Express LubeDouglasville . . . . . . . . . . . . . .678-401-415610% discount on services.

Make Your Home a HavenLithia Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-312-010020% off regular rates for professional organizing packages.

All Eyes On Me Dance ApparelDouglasville . . . . . . . . . . . . . .678-324-859712% off entire purchase.

To print a complete listing of par-ticipating businesses, visit the CCC page of greystonepower.com. For additional questions about participation, call 770-370-2436. Need a card? Call us today at 770-370-2273 to request yours.

Find out what your FREE Co-op Connections® Member Benefits Card can do for you!

Save Every Day

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Stay Connected! www.greystonepower.com

Employees making a difference The gift of giving is a selfless talent that many share. When a person has such a trait, opportunities seem to fall into their lap. GreyStone employee Dennis Maxwell is one such employee. He has worked with GreyStone for more than 12 years, first as a cable locator, then transitioned to his current role as a meter test technician. In his spare time, he and his broth-er, Daniel, use their lawn care business to touch the lives of others. Over the course of the past seven years, the generosity that Dennis has displayed for the elderly is a portrait of his giving nature. His personality shines as he

helps senior citizens in need and on a tight budget by cutting their grass for free. Several of his clients have repaid his kindness with baked goods and home cooked meals. Dennis lives by the motto “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and strives to live out this principle in his daily life. By invest-ing in the youth at his church, he works to pass along the wisdom he has gained, hoping the next genera-tion will witness firsthand how impor-tant it is to do what is right, make wise choices and include the right circle of friends in their lives. GreyStone Power is honored to

Pick

For more fabulous recipes, visit us at pinterest.com/greystonepower.

APPLE LATTICE PIE BAKED IN AN APPLE

Ingredients:4 large Granny Smith apples 1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 (14.1 ounce) package Pillsbury™ Refrigerated Pie Crust (use just 1 of the 2 crusts in the box)

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice the top off each apple and scoop out the inside of the apple using a knife and/or a spoon to hollow it out.

Step 2: In a small bowl, mix the apple pie filling with the cinnamon. Spoon the filling into the well of each apple.

Step 3: Unroll one pie crust and cut it into fourths; one for each apple. Then cut each quarter into 1/4-inch strips.

Step 4: Lay strips of the dough on top of the apple. Then take one new strip at a time and alternate, weaving it over and under the pie strips already in place. Repeat until the top of the apple has been covered. Trim excess pie crust around the edges with a knife.

Step 5: Place apples in a baking dish and fill with 1/4-inch of water. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove from baking dish and enjoy. Source: tablespoon.com

have an employee who lives out the corporation’s guiding principles and values by giving back to others through community service.

Dennis Maxwell is always wearing a smile.

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WE KEEP THEM UP HERE FOR A REASON.

STAY CLEAR OF DOWNED POWER LINES.Helping members use electricity safely, that’s the power of your co-op membership.

Learn more from the experts themselves at TogetherWeSave.com. TOGETHERWESAVE .COM

Powering everyday value

for $4* per day. That’s less than the cost of a large, fancy latte.

greystonepower.com* Based on 2013 average cost per day for GreyStone residential members. GreyStone Power is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Yet, with GreyStone’s low rates,

that’s all it costs the average home

to operate everything from morning

coffee to evening homework. That’s

how GreyStone powers everyday

value in your life.