Bandanas, bolos and bow ties. For some reason those three words have stuck in my mind for several days. I have either no or little idea how I came up with them. They do, however, sound like a potential title for a Broadway play or a Clint Eastwood movie.
There are a few things connecting those words that correlate with my life history. I do wear a bandana from late September to early May almost every single day. My dad wore a bolo tie as an accessory to his gray Stetson hat along with his boots and brown cowboy cut polyester pants. As for a bow tie, the only familiarity I have with those is when I occasionally wear a tuxedo or if I suddenly decide to do a Pee-wee Herman impersonation.
More seriously, three more words come to mind when defining the role the Kansas electric co-ops play in our everyday lives: representation, communication and education. The statewide organization along with the 30 member electric cooperatives live by these words daily. Cooperatives represent their members in many areas that affect rates and reliability. Cooperatives communicate their message to members using a variety of channels. Cooperatives continually educate and train their employees and consumer-members about staying safe around electricity. Three little words. Words that represent an industry that energizes this great country.
This holiday season, if you see a cooperative employee, tell him or her, great job and Merry Christmas!
Terry Hobbs is the board president for Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. He is also a member of Western Cooperative Electric’s Board of Trustees in WaKeeney.