The MJM Membership unanimously voted to launch Operation Round Up (ORU) at the March 7th, 2020 annual meeting. MJM’s program will begin in January 2021 and can be viewed on the bills Members will receive in February. Members are automatically enrolled in the program; however, if they do not want to participate, they may opt out. In order to do so, please fill out the form located under the "Opt Out vs Opt In" tab and mail it to MJM Electric, P.O. Box 80, Carlinville, IL, 62626. Once the program begins, Members still have the opportunity to opt back in or out at any time. Members may also choose to contribute extra money each month in addition to the rounded-up amount. To contact MJM about ORU, please call 217-707-6032 or email roundup@mjmec.coop. When you call our ORU phone number, you will reach a voicemail to leave your information. With each form of contact, please include the name on the account, your account number(s), and a current phone number. We thank YOU for voting ‘yes’ at the 2020 annual meeting last March which gives YOUR co-op this opportunity to assist in serving YOUR communities.
The mission of the Operation Round Up® Program is to assist in strengthening the communities served by MJM Electric. Through this innovative program, the “small change” is earmarked for community betterment groups and other programs in need of financial assistance.
The program was started by Palmetto Electric in South Carolina in 1989 as a way for Cooperative Members to give back to the community. The program has been adopted by rural electric cooperatives across the nation.
One of the Cooperative principles is Concern for Community. We feel a strong responsibility to the people in the communities we serve that goes beyond simply providing reliable electricity.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Operation Round Up® is that it is an extension of the concept of neighbor helping neighbor that built our Electric Cooperative. Operation Round Up® helps Co-op Members reach out to worthy causes in their communities and work together to help others.
Members who wish to participate in the program have their electric bill rounded up each month and those few cents are deposited into a separate fund. For example, if your electric bill for one month is $85.75, the bill would be rounded up to $86.00 and the extra $0.25 would be deposited in the Operation Round Up® fund. The donation averages $6.00 per year per account; however, the most a Member might contribute per account is $11.88.
The rounded up amount will be listed on your statement each month. Bill statements should be kept and used for tax purposes.
Operation Round Up® is a separate entity with its own board of Trustees appointed by MJM Directors, who would oversee the funds. The Trustees of the fund will be Members of MJM Electric. The Trustees will receive and review applications from individuals/organizations requesting funding for charitable purposes and approve of the distribution of the funds according to the bylaws of the fund.
The program can help replenish food supplies for local food pantries, help support senior citizen hospice programs, purchase supplies and equipment for rural fire departments and emergency response services, provide funds for community programs and help children of all ages by supporting community youth activities and school programs. These are only a few examples; funding is not limited to these items. The funds will not be used to pay Members’ bills, nor will they be used for political purposes.
A list of distributed funds will be featured periodically in our monthly newsletter – “MJM Along the Lines”; MJM’s social media platforms; in local newspapers; and on MJM’s website.
Yes, at the beginning of each month, the rounded up amount will be calculated from your actual billed amount. The day after a monthly bill generates, the amount donated will reflect on your next day’s usage charge.
Yes, the rounded up amount will be calculated from your actual billed amount, not the monthly budgeted amount.
Participation is voluntary. Members will be given ample opportunities to choose NOT to take part or “opt out” of the program before implementation of the program starting January 2021.
Having Members “opt out” results in much greater participation, nearly 70%. “Opt in” programs have resulted in only 10-20% participation.
Members can opt out even after the program has begun but the success of the program will depend on the level of participation.
If you wish to OPT OUT of the program, please download the Opt Out form (by clicking the link) and send it to MJM Electric at P.O. Box 80, Carlinville, IL, 62626.
All Member accounts that are not opted out will be included in the program. Members can choose to have one, some or none of their bills rounded up.
