January 2026

2026 Annual Meeting

When: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Where: Friendship Office (401 E Lake St, Friendship, WI)
Time: Registration begins at 4:00 p.m. Meeting begins at 5:00 p.m.

Join Our Board!
If you are a full-time resident in districts 4, 6, or 7, you may have the opportunity to represent your fellow co-op members on our board of directors. This is a great opportunity to explore your leadership potential, to get involved in your community, and be a voice for members. Members are encouraged to learn more and run for a board seat. Visit www.acecwi.com/director-map-and-contact-information to view the townships in each district.

Incumbent directors in district 4 and district 7 are not seeking another term. We encourage members who live in these districts to run for a seat on the board. The deadline to submit nomination papers for the 2026 Annual Meeting is February 13, 2026. If you’re interested in running for a board seat, call (800) 831-8629 for the nomination paperwork.

Director qualifications are cited in our bylaws:

• To be a full-time resident and member in good standing in the director district from which he or she has been nominated.
• Cannot be employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise or business selling energy or supplies to the cooperative.
• Cannot have been in default on any obligations to the cooperative in the preceding 12 months.
• Cannot have been employed in any capacity by the cooperative within five years of the date of the election.
• Cannot be an incumbent of, or candidate for, an elective county, state, or federal office filled by election on a party ticket.
• To have not been convicted of any felony or of any other offense involving a breach of trust.

Run for a board seat

Director duties and responsibilities

Have an idea for the co-op?
Submit an advisory resolution by February 13 to be considered by the Rules Committee for the Annual Meeting. For a step-by-step guide, visit www.acecwi.com/about-advisory-resolutions.

 

America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC

What is America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC?
Founded in 1966, America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC is the #1 federal utility political action committee (PAC) representing the nation’s electric cooperatives. America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC is a grassroots PAC and an essential bipartisan tool that empowers the collective voice of electric co-ops nationwide.

What does American’s Electric Cooperatives PAC do for co-ops?
America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC is dedicated to building valued and trusted relationships with political candidates who, if elected, can champion issues that affect electric cooperatives. America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC ensures the priorities of its leaders, employees, members, and communities are represented.

How can you contribute to America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC?
To make an online contribution today, visit www.cooperative.com/pacdonation. To contribute via check, please mail to: America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC, PO Box 718778, Philadelphia, PA 19171.

Contributions to the NRECA America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions to America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC are voluntary and will be used for political purposes. You have the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. Federal law prohibits contributions from foreign nationals who lack permanent resident status. Any contribution guidelines presented are merely suggestions. You are free to contribute more or less than the suggested amounts, or not at all. NRECA will not favor or disadvantage anyone by reason of the amount contributed or a decision not to contribute.

 

Holiday Cheer

We’re grateful for another outstanding year for our Toys for Tots program. To summarize, we donated over 10,500 toys, stocking stuffers, and books. With monetary donations, we purchased over 660 toys. We partnered with 13 programs throughout our service area to provide toys to over 3,200 children. Thank you for your continued support!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where Your Donations Go:

• Adams County Angel Tree
• Waushara Holiday Project
• Marquette County Giving Tree
• Sauk County Children’s Giving Tree
• Green Lake County Angel Tree
• NICC Foundation (Columbus)
• Giving Tree Project (Pardeeville)
• Columbia County Health & Human Services
• St. Vincent De Paul (Wisconsin Dells)
• Village of Randolph
• Children’s WI (Baraboo)
• Boys & Girls Club (Berlin)
• Hancock Community Christmas

 

Bright Ideas From Members

What is Bright Ideas?
To reach more members and learn about what topics members are interested in, we created Bright Ideas. Bright Ideas is an online survey available on the homepage of our website year-round.

Throughout the year, we compile results to determine what topics are the most important to members, which drives the information we publish on our Bright Ideas webpage. In 2025, we had 190 members engage with us through Bright Ideas.

Ready to share your thoughts?
Let us know what is important to you. Visit www.acecwi.com/bright-ideas to take our bright ideas survey.

 

Scholarship Program

Our fifth cooperative principle is Education, Training, and Information. Our scholarship program continues to support that principle through higher education for our members. This program adds no cost to the members’ electric bill. It’s funded entirely from unclaimed patronage capital checks that are issued by the cooperative.

Educational Scholarship:
Scholarships are awarded in all fields of post-secondary education, from vocational to graduate studies. They are available to adults and dependent children (up to age 26) of all Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative member families currently receiving electric service. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and excellence in academics, social, and community service activities.

 

Jon Steinhaus Lineworker Scholarship:
Scholarship eligibility includes anyone who is a high school senior (or older). Successful applicants must be enrolled in an Electrical Power Distribution (EPD) program at a certified EPD school in the United States. Although not a requirement, preference is given to members of Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative.

 

How To Apply
Applicants may only be awarded one scholarship

• Review our scholarship details and eligibility.
• We require two letters of recommendation. Once you receive the letters, you can upload them with your application.
• Have a copy of your most current transcript (unofficial is acceptable).
• Complete our scholarship application with the required documents and information by Friday, February 27.

If you have questions about our scholarship program, contact Stacey McManus at (800) 831-8629. Get started and learn more at www.acecwi.com/co-op-programs/scholarships.

 

Energy Tip

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day is January 10. Here are a few energy-saving tips you can use around your home:

• Turn Off Fans – Make sure you turn off any fans when you leave a room.
• Use Sleep Mode – By turning on sleep mode on your TV, you are in control of how long the TV is on, even if you fall asleep.
• Use Power Strips – Power strips provide a convenient turn-on/turn-off point, so you can be sure your electronics are only on when you are using them.
• Fill It Up – Washers use about the same amount of energy regardless of the size of the load, so run full loads whenever possible.
• Properly Seal Windows & Doors – Check for signs of air leakage around windows and doors. Then use caulk and weather stripping to stop the leaks.

 

Safety Message

Icy, snowy roads are a hazard on their own when it comes to winter driving. If your car slides off the road and hits a power pole, green utility box, or any other utility equipment, STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE! The scene may appear safe, but utility equipment may still be energized, and that’s a risk we never want you to take. Call the local electric utility and 911, and stay put until help arrives. Keep bystanders away from the scene for their safety.

This is your License to Live. Watch a short video for a step-by-step guide on how to stay safe in this situation at safeelectricity.org/license-to-live.

 

Recipe

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Recipe from Julie Johannes of Wild Rose, WI

Prep Time – 15 Mins
Cook Time – 7 Hours

INGREDIENTS

• 3 lbs bonelesschicken breasts
• 1 packet of dry ranch seasoning mix
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 package of bacon
• 1 1/2 c shredded sharpcheddar cheese
• 1/2 c sliced green onion(optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut each chicken breast in half and place them in the slow cooker. Sprinkle ranch and add cream cheese on top of the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
2. Cut bacon into small pieces and cook to the desired texture.
3. Shred chicken in the slow cooker with two forks, stirring in cream cheese. Add bacon and sprinkle cheese on top of the chicken while in the slow cooker. Cover and cook an additional 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
4. Serve chicken on kaiser rolls, over rice, or potatoes. Sprinkle green onions on chicken if desired.