Q&A - Operation Round Up
Some Common Questions About Operation Round Up:
Q. How does it work?
A. Each month, the electric bills of participating Roughrider Electric members are rounded up – increased to the next dollar amount. So, if your bill is $50.99, it is rounded up to $51.00 and if your bill is $75.53, it is rounded up to $76.00. The money collected is deposited in a separate bank account for the Roughrider Electric Cooperative Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Q. Are contributions tax deductible, and do participants receive a statement for income tax purposes?
A. Yes. The charitable foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Members are provided an annual contribution total on their January electric bill and can save that bill for income tax purposes.
Q. How are requests for funding handled?
A. Individuals and organizations that seek funding from the foundation must complete a very thorough grant application. Those applications will be reviewed by the foundation board, which may request additional information or determine if personal visits are necessary for fact gathering. The board then votes on all grant requests.
Q. Does Roughrider Electric Cooperative automatically sign up all members?
A. We felt our members would want their Foundation to have as much impact in the community as possible. The experience of other electric cooperatives that have introduced Operation Round Up in this way has shown that more members participate – an average of 75% as opposed to an average participation of 25% where members were required to sign up. So for the sake of efficiency, we began the process in 2002 with a list of all members who were provided a variety of easy methods to decline participation in Operation Round Up. Those methods included bill inserts; telephone cal, email or simply a note in with the monthly payment. Now members in Mercer and Oliver Counties will have the same opportunity.
Q. What if a member doesn't want to participate?
A. Even after they are signed up for Operation Round Up, members may leave the program at any time simply by calling Roughrider Electric Cooperative.
Q. If a member doesn't wish to participate now; can they join Operation Round Up in the future?
A. Yes, members may join or rejoin Operation Round Up by contacting us.
Q. Are Operation Round Up donations limited to cooperative members?
A. No. Donations may be made to anyone or any organization within the outer boundaries of the Roughrider Electric service area.
Q. What types of donations are made with Operation Round Up funds?
A. According to the bylaws, the Operation Round Up Board is allowed to make donations to any worthy charitable cause, with the exception that no Operation Round Up funds can be used for religious or political purposes.
Q. What is the average annual contribution of a customer to Operation Round Up?
A. The average contribution is six dollars ($6) per year but donations can range anywhere from 12 cents to $11.88 per year.
Q. Who decides who receives the funds?
A. An Operation Round Up board of directors made up from the three member districts will distribute the funds.
Q. How often will the board meet?
A. The board must meet at least twice a year, but may meet more often if they find it necessary.
Q. Will we be able to find out where the money goes?
A.Yes, we will publish the disbursements in the center pages of our magazine.
Q. Does Roughrider Electric Cooperative benefit from Operation Round Up?
A. Roughrider Electric Cooperative does not receive monetary or in-kind reimbursements from the Operation Round Up Charitable Foundation. All "rounded up" funds flow directly into the Operation Round Up Charitable Foundation and are overseen by the Operation Round Up board. Roughrider Electric personnel help administer the program as a complimentary service to the organization.
We encourage all members to participate in Operation Round Up and see the results you small donation will help generate. Together, by giving a few cents per month, Roughrider Electric members can make a big impact on life in our area. The Foundation Board, the Roughrider Electric Board and Roughrider Electric Staff thank you for your participation.
