BUILDING A BRIGHTER TENNESSEE - 2021-2022 RESOURCE BOOK
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2021–2022 RESOURCE BOOK
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
BUILDING A
BRIGHTER
TENNESSEE
WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR
2
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
CREATIVE WRITING
AND SCHOLARSHIP
WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR COMPETITION
Before you lies a unique opportunity. Winners This booklet will tell you more about the trip,
of the Electric Cooperative Writing Contest let you hear from previous delegates and
not only earn spots on a once-in-a-lifetime outline the requirements and resources to
tour of our nation’s capital, but they also help you write the best short story. It will also
qualify for additional trips and thousands tell you a little bit more about electric coop-
of dollars in scholarships and have a chance eratives and the reasons they have provided
to network with other young leaders from this opportunity to students for more than 50
across the nation. years.
More than 6,000 high school juniors from
across Tennessee have participated in the
Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
Exciting stops on the Washington Youth Tour
include Arlington National Cemetery, above,
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, right, and
the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, opposite
page. Seeing the sites they’ve studied in school
is a highlight of the delegates’ D.C. experience.
3
WHAT YOU GET
Your prize for showing the benefits of cooper- workshop which focuses on the electric coop-
ative power: an unforgettable trip to Washing- erative industry.
ton, D.C., in June 2022 with nearly 2,000 other
students your age from across the country. And don’t forget about the chance to help pay
for your college education with scholarships
Each day of the Washington Youth Tour brings of $3,000, $2,000 or $1,000 awarded by the
more impressive sights, opportunities for Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association if
photos and lots of memories. Among activities your story is judged one of the top three in the
filling the agenda are tours of Washington, state.
D.C., and all its landmarks, memorials and
museums. Highlights include the Smithsonian You can also choose to participate in our Co-
Institution, White House, U.S. Capitol, Mount operative Youth Ambassador program. Dele-
Vernon and Monticello. gates who stay active and engaged with their
co-ops in the 12 months following Youth Tour
Food, travel and lodging expenses are paid qualify for a drawing for a $10,000 scholarship
by Tennessee’s electric cooperatives. But the to the school of the winner’s choice.
benefits of the Youth Tour go far beyond an
expense-paid trip. Other scholarships, including the Glenn
English National Cooperative Leadership
Youth Tour winners can compete to represent Foundation Scholarship and the Engineers of
Tennessee on the Youth Leadership Council. the Future Scholarship, are available through
One student from each state is selected to the Glenn English National Cooperative Lead-
return to Washington, D.C., for a leadership ership Foundation.
TRAVEL RECOGNITION SCHOLARSHIPS CONNECTIONS
4
HEALTH AND SAFETY
WILL BE A PRIORITY
IMPORTANT NOTE: The COVID-19
In addition to scholarships provided by the pandemic has impacted our ability to
take students to Washington, D.C., for
electric co-ops, Union University in Jackson
the past two years. Tennessee’s electric
and Carson-Newman University in Jefferson
co-ops will follow the advice of medical
City have recognized the leadership potential
experts and public health officials as we
of Youth Tour delegates. The universities have plan for the 2022 Tour. If we are unable
agreed to provide dozens of scholarships to ensure the safety of our winners, the
worth up to $10,000 a year for four years. trip will not be possible, and other priz-
es may be awarded in place of the trip.
THERE’S MUCH MORE ONLINE
Visit our website for more information about the
trip, scholarships and other opportunities:
youthtour.tnelectric.org
5
HEAR FROM THE WINNERS
“Never in my life did I imagine that writing this short story would impact
my life this much. I saw so many things, many of them once-in-a-lifetime
experiences. Youth Tour has changed my life for the better, all because of a
900-word short story.”
Olivia Carpenter, Blackman High School
Middle Tennessee Electric
“I didn’t think 900 words could change my life that much, but it did. I got to
see my nation’s capital, make friends, eat some great mac and cheese and
learn so much more than what my textbooks at school have to offer.”
Anna Herrell, Cherokee High School
Holston Electric Cooperative
“The Youth Tour was definitely the opportunity of a lifetime! It’s the best
trip I’ve ever been on, and I can’t wait to go back to D.C. It was almost all of
the capital in one week, and I’m so thankful to have gone.”
Kendra Chaney, Stewart County High School
Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation
“They say pictures are worth 1,000 words, but who knew my 900-word
short story could be worth thousands of laughs, memories and lifelong
friendships?”
Sawyer Pendergrass, Bledsoe County High School
Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative
6
JOIN A NATIONAL
FELLOWSHIP
Each day of the Washington Youth Tour Politicians, authors, ath-
brings more impressive sights, opportu- letes and business
nities for photos and lots of memories. leaders, including
Among activities filling the agenda are Apple CEO Tim
tours of Washington, D.C., and all its land- Cook, are
marks and memorials. proud Youth
Tour alumni.
2021 ROBERT MCCARTY MEMORIAL 2021 CO-OP YOUTH
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS AMBASSADOR
Corbin Williams, Julia Cox,
Sequoyah High School, Fayetteville High School,
Fort Loudoun Fayetteville Public
Electric Cooperative, Utilities,
$3,000 Scholarship $10,000 Scholarship
Logan Hickerson, Delegates who stay engaged and active with
Perry County their local co-ops in the year following the Youth
High School, Tour have a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship
Meriwether Lewis to the college or trade school of their choice.
Electric Cooperative,
$2,000 Scholarship
Hailey Rider,
Johnson County
High School,
Mountain Electric
Cooperative,
$1,000 Scholarship
7
RULES AND RESOURCES
The energy provided by electric co-ops has far-reaching impacts on Tennessee. Write a
short story explaining how electric co-ops are “Building a Brighter Tennessee” through
investments in energy, education, broadband, economic development and more.
There are a few rules you need to follow: Remember, you’re writing a short story, which
gives you more creative freedom than the
1. Only juniors in high school are eligible to rigid guidelines of an essay. Your story should
participate. be an entertaining, informative description of
2. Every short story must be titled “Electric electric cooperatives.
Cooperatives — Building a Brighter Tennessee.” Visit youthtour.tnelectric.org to learn more
3. Submissions must not exceed 900 words, about electric co-ops. Resources there will
including articles (“a,” “an” and “the”). The provide you with lots of information and ma-
exact word count must be included on your terial to write your story.
cover page. Entries must be typewritten and
double-spaced.
CO-OP CONTACT PERSON
EMAIL ADDRESS
DUE DATE
8
JUDGING
CRITERIA
CHECKLIST FOR SUCCESS: Be creative in your writing, utilizing
the information in this booklet and
The tips below can help you get one step
your own distinctive voice. Your writ-
closer to D.C. Use these suggestions to make
ing will be judged on three factors:
your story stand out.
Appropriate treatment of theme
Characters, time and place 50% and knowledge of subject
Spend some time to develop the characters,
location and time frame of your story. To gain full credit in this category,
you’ll have to effectively weave the
Get specific information relating to the theme
Include at least three specific examples of the throughout the short story. Judges will
many ways electric co-ops strengthen their see indications of additional research,
communities. The expansion of broadband, a grasp of what information is vital
availability of reliable energy, efforts to recruit to making your story believable and
new businesses and jobs, and leadership credible and creative ways of present-
development for young people are just a few ing that information.
examples. Originality and
35% Creativity
Include one (or more) co-op principles
The seven principles of electric co-ops are list- Use a different, entertaining, effective
ed on pages 14 and 15. Include these in your way of presenting information that will
story to demonstrate your understanding of educate a reader and get your points
the many things that make electric co-ops across.
unique.
Grammar and
15% Composition
THERE’S MUCH MORE ONLINE If you need an explanation here, check
your English textbook.
Find additional resources on our website
to help you write your story:
youthtour.tnelectric.org
9
LAST YEAR’S WINNING STORY
High above the prosperous Tennessee town of did not flinch. “Fret not,” said the creature to the
Whoville on the summit of Mount Crumpit lived young Who, “your meter is damaged, and I know
a foul green creature whose heart was nothing to what to do.”
trumpet. For years he had pouted and grumbled
and shouted, “These electric cooperatives need Young Cindy-Lou Who, now wide awake,
to be outed!” This creature, this Grinch, would asked, “What might have caused our meter to
ramble like so, but in his mind, he did not yet break? These devices are 99.9 percent reliable.
know: These cooperatives enabled Whoville’s Surely you will find its durability undeniable.”
success; its liveliness would suggest no less! There the Grinch stood, in a voiceless state, when
suddenly, he was saved by fate. “Perhaps you’re
Take, for example, young Cindy-Lou Who, a member of the board on inspection, set to
stuck in the house, with a case of the flu; through your task by way of election? I have heard each
investments in broadband, electric cooperatives contributor is given a voice, allowing their insight
enable this Cindy-Lou Who to work from the on every choice.”
table — not just the young Who, but also
several others, helping protect their fathers and “Yes,” said the Grinch, as he breathed a big
mothers! sigh; as to how the Who knew, he would like to
clarify. Then he inquired, “How do you know such
Yet still the Grinch stood, unaware and information?” beginning to grow tired of the
unmoved. Of electric cooperatives he still whole vexation.
disapproved. He said to himself, “I’ll end those
cooperatives; I know what to do,” and in his heart, Cindy-Lou Who quickly replied, as if her
a foul plan then did brew. “I’ll hike up their price, last statement the answer implied, “Electric
raise up their rates! Destroying their meters will cooperatives ensure members are learned,
see them in straits!” So he snatched up his coat making certain each contributor’s position is
and big grinchy hammer, and strolled on to earned. I learned all of this and much, much more
Whoville to cause a great clamor. from my Tennessee cooperative’s Youth Tour.”
With this the Grinch began to understand and
For miles and miles on foot he did trot, until he decided to return to the matter at hand. He said
arrived at just the right spot. “This will do nicely,” to the child, “Go, rest your head,” and with this
he said with a grin; it was time for his dastardly command, the Who went to bed.
scheme to begin. He readied his swing, then
heard a great racket: It was Cindy-Lou Who, in fur All through the night he executed his plan,
hat and jacket! This sudden appearance did not then to his home on Mount Crumpit he ran. There
frighten the Grinch. From his evil composure he he waited until six o’ the clock, hoping to hear
10ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES:
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Corbin Williams, a
the townspeople’s shock. Yet, as they woke, to student at Sequoyah
the Grinch’s surprise, he did not find any tears in High School in the
their eyes. The gathering of many he did observe, Fort Loudoun Electric
hoping Whoville’s power grid to preserve. They Cooperative service
did not unravel the plan he had hatched, but area, was the state
instead local communities were dispatched. The winner of the 2021
Grinch was amazed to see this commune. As the Washington Youth Tour Writing Con-
Whos worked, they sang a soft tune: test, earning him a $3,000 scholarship.
Citizens, citizens, come this way,
This year’s theme is “Building a Bright-
For there is work to be done on this day!
er Tennessee.” Write your story about
Come, lend a hand, all who may.
the many ways co-ops power and
Citizens, citizens, hooray, hooray!
empower their local communities.
Perhaps from this view, though none live who
know, did the heart of Mount Crumpits’s Grinch
then grow.
this cheery lifestyle.” So onward through Whoville
To Whoville he traveled with hopes to atone, the Grinch now went, hoping of his past crimes
wishing to undo the damage he had sown. What to repent. He worked with all the cooperative
he saw next nearly brought him to tears: 7,000 leaders, installing new meters with lots of great
Whos gathered, all member volunteers! They features. Together they labored all through the
worked and worked and yet none received pay. night, until all of Tennessee’s Whoville was finally
On the Grinch’s mind this did heavily weigh. alight!
“Why do you not wish to work alone? Have you
no problems of your own?” A Who of the board With joy and compassion in malice’s stead,
was quick to reply, “I’ll tell you the how, and I’ll the Grinch was now ready to go rest his head. “I
tell you the why. Whos of cooperatives from every thank you all, and this time has been swell, but
nation work together in mass cooperation. We I’m afraid it is time that I bid you farewell.” With
contribute each just a small sum. This is to ensure Whoville and company now far behind, the newly
the greatest outcome!” converted was left to his mind. “Perhaps electric
cooperatives aren’t so bad as I’ve led. What was it
The benefits of electric cooperatives made that those little Whos said? They work with each
clear, the Grinch now smiled from ear to ear. “I other, and put community first. Surely such a plan
think I will stay, if just for a while. I believe I enjoy is far from the worst!”
11TENNESSEE’S ELECTRIC CO-OPS
Tennessee’s electric cooperatives provide In the 1930s, there was no power in rural
power to more than 1.1 million homes, farms Tennessee. Homeowners and farmers came
and businesses across rural and suburban together to create co-ops that would bring
Tennessee. Unlike other businesses, electric power to their homes.
cooperatives are owned by the consumers
they serve and operate as not-for-profit Today, co-ops are modern businesses that
businesses. This may not sound important, use technology to efficiently operate a large,
but it means that consumers are the priori- advanced grid. Despite these changes, the
ty. Rates are kept low because there are no primary goal of co-ops have not changed:
stockholders to pay, and the co-op is respon- provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to
sive to members because they vote on co-op our neighbors, the very people who own the
leadership. co-op.
MEMBER-OWNED AND -REGULATED
Electric co-ops are owned by the people they serve, not by government.
Members elect board members to represent their interests and set policy and
procedures for the co-op.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Co-ops exist to serve their communities instead of shareholders. They distrib-
ute and sell energy at cost and invest any excess revenue back into the electric
system.
COMMITTED TO IMPROVING COMMUNITIES
Keeping the lights on. Recruiting new industry. Educating the leaders of tomor-
row. Electric co-ops take seriously their responsibility to improve lives in their
communities.
12ELECTRIC CO-OPS
SERVE
Because of their local ties, co-ops are commit-
ted to improving lives in their communities.
Going beyond simply keeping the lights on,
co-ops recruit businesses and investment,
help members operate their homes and busi-
nesses more efficiently and prepare students
to be tomorrow’s leaders.CO-OP HISTORY AND PRINCIPLES
CO-OP
HISTORY IN
TENNESSEE
MID-1880S EARLY 1930S MAY 18, 1933
Electricity was For-profit power President Franklin
available in many of companies consid- D. Roosevelt signed
America’s larger cit- ered it unprofitable the Tennessee Valley
ies, but electrification to build lines in Authority Act, which
of rural areas was sparsely populated created a federal
deemed unfeasible. rural areas. Without agency to provide
electricity, the econ- river navigation,
omies of rural areas flood control, electric
were tied exclusively generation and eco-
to agriculture. nomic development
in the Tennessee
Valley.
THE SEVEN
VOLUNTARY AND OPEN DEMOCRATIC MEMBER MEMBERS’ ECONOMIC
MEMBERSHIP CONTROL PARTICIPATION
COOPERATIVE Co-ops are voluntary Co-ops are demo- Members contribute
PRINCIPLES organizations open
to all persons able
cratic organizations
controlled by their
equitably to the capital
of their co-op. Mem-
to use their services members, who actively bers allocate surpluses
and willing to accept participate in setting to further develop the
the responsibilities of policies and making cooperative or support
membership. decisions. other activities ap-
proved by members.
14MAY 11, 1935 1935–1948 1949 TODAY
President Roosevelt Tennesseans formed Postwar enthusiasm Tennessee’s 23
created the Rural 23 electric coopera- and adaptations of electric cooperatives
Electrification Ad- tives to bring elec- military technolo- provide energy for
ministration, which tricity to rural areas. gy, materials and 2.5 million Tennesse-
made federal funds equipment propelled ans across 71 percent
available to provide rapid growth of rural of Tennessee’s land-
rural electric service. electrification. By the mass. Co-ops rely on
The leaders of farm 1950s, the Tennessee the latest technology
organizations pro- Valley Authority had to efficiently and
posed the formation become the nation’s reliably serve one
of nonprofit electric largest energy in three Tennessee
cooperatives. supplier. homes.
AUTONOMY AND EDUCATION, TRAINING COOPERATION AMONG CONCERN FOR
INDEPENDENCE AND INFORMATION COOPERATIVES COMMUNITY
Co-ops are autono- Co-ops provide ed- Co-ops serve their Cooperatives work
mous organizations ucation and training members most ef- for the sustainable
controlled by their for their members, fectively by working development of their
members. representatives and together through local, communities through
employees on the national, regional and policies accepted by
nature and benefits of international structures. their members.
cooperation.
15WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR
PRESENTED BY YOUR LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE AND
2964 Sidco Drive, Nashville, TN 37204
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