SMALL CHANGE THAT CHANGES LIVES . . .
Southern Pine's Operation Round Up program provides a simple and rewarding way for the co-op and its membership to help fund worthwhile projects for individuals and organizations within its general service area. The program functions exactly as the name implies. Each month the electric bills of participating members are "rounded up" to the next highest dollar amount. For example, a member's monthly bill of $100.74 would be automatically rounded up to $101 and the 26 cents difference would be placed in the Southern Pine Electric Trust Fund.
The Trust Fund is administered by an independent and separate board of directors, comprised of community leaders throughout Southern Pine's service area. These board members serve on an entirely voluntary basis, donating their time and energy to the service of the co-op and their communities. These board members receive and evaluate all requests for funding and determining the manner in which approved funds will be distributed.
The board meets every other month to consider applications that have been submitted. Meetings are scheduled in January, March, May, July, September and November each year. Applications must be received by the 20th of the previous month (December, February, April, June, August, and October to be considered at the next month's board meeting..
Typically, funds are designated for crucial needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care and community concerns and cannot be used for political purposes or to pay electric bills.
The average contribution per participating member is a little over 50 cents per month or about $7 per year. All donations are tax deductible and participating members contributions will be listed at the bottom of their January billings each year. Member participation is strictly voluntary.
With every member's participation your co-op can help provide much needed assistance in areas of true need. All of the people who are in dire need of food, shelter and medicine do not live in some third-world country. Some of them live just down the street or across town from you. This SMALL CHANGE THAT CHANGES LIVES can truly make a huge difference in communities throughout Southern Pine's service area.
Applications for individuals and organizations are below. You must download the appropriate letter for individual or organizational applicants for full instructions for completing the respective applications.
Please read the letter fully, as it includes information that must be included with the application in order for the application to be complete and considered at the next meeting. If apps are not complete, they will be returned or held until all required information is provided. That may cause your application to be held for another two months if all requested information is not included with the it.
Also, applications must be notarized. We have notaries in all four offices who will be happy to notarize your application at no cost to you.
If you require assistance with your application, please contact Melanie Harrison in the Brewton office at 251.867.5415 or via email at mharrison@southernpine.org.
Application for Individual 2013.doc
Letter for Individual applicants
Application for Organization 2013.doc
Letter for organizational applicants.pdf
SOUTHERN PINE
ELECTRIC TRUST, INC.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
The Southern Pine Electric Trust, Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals or non-profit organizations. The Trust Board has established six categories for assistance and your request must fall within those six categories. The categories are: educational, medical, transportation, private hardship, and non-profit.
In order to consider your application the Trust Board needs as much information as possible. It is therefore vital that you thoroughly complete the application (applications listed in the section above with important letters for completing respective applications).
The application lists a Reason for Request and requires that you include the amount requested, specific use of funds and a quote if applicable. It is important that you prioritize your needs and not be vague or too broad in what those needs are. It would be beneficial to the Trust Board in making a decision if items such as estimates, pictures, copy of statements, bids, brochures or other documentation of support is included.
General statements that are too broad such as: need help paying my bills, many medical expenses, house needs repair, been out of work, any amount will help, whatever you can give, are not specific.
Applications which are not completed properly, too broad, fail to prioritize needs, do not list the amount of request, etc., will be difficult to evaluate.
If assistance is needed, contact your local Southern Pine office.
Atmore ........251.368.4842
Brewton........251.867.5415
Evergreen......251.578.3460
Frisco City....251.267.3196
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