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ANNUAL MEETING PAGE 2 APPLY NOW FOR SCHOLARSHIPS PAGE 3 CYBERBULLYING PAGE 8

Wanda Barras crafts award-winning cheeses at Belle Écorce Farms

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SAYGOAT

CHEESE!

Volume 62 No. 2 March/April 2012 The Official Publication of the SouthwestLouisiana Electric Membership Corporation3420 NE Evangeline ThruwayP.O. Box 90866Lafayette, Louisiana 70509Phone 337-896-5384www.slemco.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORSACADIA PARISH BryanG.Leonards,Sr.,Secretary MerlinYoungST. MARTIN PARISH WilliamHuval,First Vice President AdelleKennisonLAFAYETTE PARISH DaveAymond,Treasurer JerryMeaux,PresidentST. LANDRY PARISH LeopoldFrilot,Sr. GaryG.SoileauVERMILION PARISH JosephDavidSimon,Jr., Second Vice President CharlesSonnier

ATTORNEYJamesJ.Davidson,III

EXECUTIVE STAFFJ.U.Gajan Chief Executive Officer & General ManagerGlennTamporello DirectorofOperationsGeorgeFawcett Director of Marketing & CommunicationsJimLaque Director of EngineeringGarySmith Chief Financial Officer

SLEMCO POWER STAFFGeorgeFawcett Managing EditorMaryLaurent,CCC,CKAE EditorSLEMCO POWER (USPS498-720,ISSN0274-7685)ispublishedbimonthlybySouthwestLouisianaElectricMembershipCorporation,3420NEEvangelineThruway,Lafayette,LA70509-0866.PeriodicalspostagepaidatLafayette,LA70507.

POSTMASTER:sendaddresschangestoSLEMCO,P.O.Box90866,Lafayette,LA70509-0866.

Cover photo by Curtis Darrah

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TakeNote

TakeNote

SLEMCO’s75thAnnualMembershipMeetingwillbeheldonSaturday,June2,atLafayette’sCajundome.

Attendeeshaveachancetowinoneof27prizes,includinganew2012carortruck.Drawingswillalsodeterminewhowillreceive$40,000incollegescholarships(LuckyAccountNumber4504348900).

Themorninghasafullschedulesoourdaybeginsearly.Doorsopenat6a.m.,withplentyofhotCommunitycoffeeasyouvisitwithyourfriendsandneighbors.CoffeeisfreeandtheCajundomewillhaveotherrefreshmentsavailableforpurchase.

MusicbyGenoDelafose&FrenchRockin’Boogiewillstartat6:30a.m.,sowearyourdancingshoes.UnitedBlood

Serviceswillholdits10thannualblooddriveatourmeeting.Yourcontinuedgen-erosityisappreciatedbecauseofincreaseddemandforbloodandreduceddonationsduringsummer.

Prizedrawingsbeginat8a.m.,andwinningnameswillbedrawnuntilourbusinessmeet-ingbeginsat10a.m.Briefreportsfromthecompany’sofficersandlegalcounselwillbringmembersuptodateonSLEMCOoperations.

Whenthebusinessportionconcludes,ourschol-arshipdrawingwillawardcollegefundsof$2,000each

to20luckystudents.Then,toendourmeetingonahighnote,ourgrandprizedrawingwillallowoneluckywinnerachoicefromamongfivenewvehicles. •

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND OUR 75TH

ANNUAL MEETING

COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERSCAN ENTER PRIZE AND SCHOLARSHIP DRAWINGS

SLEMCOcommercialcustomerswish-ingtoparticipateintheprizedrawingsshoulddropoffaletternamingtheir

company’sauthorizedrepresentativetoSLEMCO’smainofficebyJune1.

AfterpresentingIDonthedayofthemeeting,thatrepresentativewillreceiveacardfortheprizedrawing(LuckyAccountNumber3123864000).

OwnersofcommercialestablishmentswhoareSLEMCOcustomersmayalsosponsortheirchildren,themselvesoraspouseforthescholarshipdrawing,butonlyiftheyownmorethan50percentofthecompany,corporationorpartnership.

Proofofownershipisrequiredwhen-everacommercialbusinesssponsorsascholarshipapplicant. • 75 75

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ENERGY SAVING IDEASSAVE ON YOUR WATER BILL WITH EVERY FLUSH

It’s probably no surprise that bathrooms use more water than any other room in the house. But what may be surprising is that a quarter of all water useage in your home is flushed down the toilet.

Now’s a great time to replace that old commode. Using 3.5 to as much as 7 gallons per flush (gpf), an old toilet is the biggest water waster in your home.

The days when low-volume toi-lets had poor flushing performance are long gone. With reengineered bowls and trapways, the newest models flush more efficiently with less water (Lucky Account Number 3232433002).

How much water can you expect to save? Replacing just one 3.5-gpf toilet with a 1.6-gpf low-flush toilet could save a family of four up to 15,000 gallons of water per year. In only a few years you’ll pay for that new toilet with savings on your water bill.

To save even more water, check out high-efficiency toilets. These models use 20 percent less water than the 1.6-gpf.

If now’s not the time to replace, check your hardware store for water-saving mechanisms such as water displacement devices or fill cycle diverters. Toilet tank flapper flush devices will cut your water use by half for every flush.

You can also check for leaks: add 10 drops of food coloring to the tank and wait 10 minutes. If the color appears in the bowl, your toilet has a leak. •

APPLY NOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A

SCHOLARSHIP

Louisianapublicuniversitytopursueanundergraduatedegreebeginningthisfall.Winnersmusthaveatleasta2.0cumula-tivegradepointaverageandplantoattendonafull-timebasis(atleast12hours)thisfall.Technicalcollegesorprivateuniversi-tiesdonotqualifyandstudentsmustbeatleasthighschoolseniorstoenter.

IRSguidelinesallowaparenttoclaimtheircollegestudentchilduntiltheyearheorsheturns24.Wefollowthesameguide-linesforawardingthesescholarships.Inordertosponsorachild,parentsmuststillclaimtheapplicantontheirincometaxreturnandtheapplicantmustbeunder24yearsofage.Proofwillberequired.

Onlyonefamilymembercanwinperyear,butanyeligiblefamilymembercanentereveryyear.Winnersaren’teligibletoreceivethescholarshipagain.

EventhoughtheentrydeadlineisnotuntilMay,getyourapplicationinearlysoyoudon’tforget.We’vealreadyreceivedseveralhundredentries.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,callSLEMCOat896-5384. •

A totalof$40,000incollegescholarshipswillbegivenawayatour75thannualmeetingonSaturday,June2.Twenty

studentswilleachwin$2,000tohelppayfortheircollegeeducation.Theprocessiseasy,butyoumustapplybeforethemeeting.

MembersconnectedtoSLEMCOforonecontiguousyearpriortotheMay3entrydeadlinecansponsorthemselves,aspouse,dependentchil-drenorlegalwards.Grandchildrenareeli-gibleonlyiftheyarethelegaldependentsorwardsofmembers.

Applicationsforthe2012SLEMCOscholarshipprogramwillbeincludedwithallFebruaryandMarchSLEMCObills.

Youcanalsodownloadtheapplica-tionfromourwebsite,www.slemco.com.Thiselectronicversionoftheapplica-tionisinPDFformat.Afterfillingitout,followthedirectionsonourwebsitetoe-mailittoSLEMCOorprintacopyandsubmititbymail(LuckyAccountNumber1114426000).

Readtheapplicationcarefullyandfol-lowallinstructions.

ApplicationsforthescholarshipswillbeaccepteduntilThursday,May3.Deliveredentriesandelectronicallysubmittedentriesmustbereceivedby4:30p.m.,May3,andmailedentriesmustbepostmarkedbythatday.EntriescanbemailedtotheSLEMCOScholarshipProgram,P.O.Box90866,Lafayette,LA70509.

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APPLY FOR COLLEGE ASSISTANCE EARLYSLEMCO scholarships are just one opportunity to help pay for your college education. High school seniors can often begin applying for many forms of college assistance as early as January of their senior year (Lucky Account Number 2326856900). Check with your high school guidance counselor to see what grants, loans or scholarships are available. •

complicatedarttothreeessentialsteps,themilkisfirstcurdled,thewhey(liquid)ispartiallydrainedandthentheremainingcurdisripenedthroughnaturalmicrobes.

Fromage de la ChèvreistheFrenchnameforthick,creamysmoothcheesefromgoatmilkthatcanbeservedsoftormoldedintologs.Barrasandherstaffaddsweetorsavoryflavorstosomeofthecheese;othersmightbedecorated—andflavored—withfreshherbsandedibleflowers(LuckyAccountNumber1439606000).

Thefarm’sfetaismadefrompasteurizedwholegoatmilk—whiteandcrumblywithsofttextureandpleasantsaltiness,Barrassays.Processedinsmall10-gallonbatches,thecurdsarehandladledintoamold,drained,driedthencutintosmallcubesandhandsalted.YoungcheesesareavailableinseasonfromApriltoNovemberandbrinedatseason’sendtosupplytherestoftheyear.

ShesaysBelleÉcorce’sbloomyrind(mold-ripened)cheesesareagedaminimumoftwoweeks—usuallyatleastonemonth.Ricottaissoft,smoothfreshunripenedcheesemadewithfreshmilkinsmallbatchesduringsummerandearlyfall.Goudaandwhitecheddarrecipes,whicharetraditionallymadewithcowsmilk,areadaptedforgoatmilk,someimaginativelycombinedwithseasoningsintoherspicycheddarandamolé-inspiredGouda.

France,anationboasting400typesofcheese,usestheconceptofterroir (literally“soil”or“earth”)torefertothecharacteristicsthataparticularregionwillimparttoitsproducts.

ForWandaBarras,theadventurestillliesindiscoveringtheattributesofherownterroir,andtheartinvolvedincraftingfromherdandlandthedelicateandsensoryflavorsofcheese—aproductoncepoeticallydescribedas“themostromanticlinkbetweenhumansandtheearth.” •

NestledalongagravelroadneartheBayouTechejustoutsideofSt.MartinvilleliesBelleÉcorceFarms.ÉcorceisFrenchfor“bark”or“rind”—whichalludestobothitshalf-century-oldoaksandthehandmade

artisancheesesaginginitsclimatecontrolledcheese“cave.”WandaBarras,BelleÉcorce’sowner,hasdeepconnectionswith

thosetreesandthatland.Asachild,sherodeinaWorldWarII-eraJeep,wateringtheyoungtreeswithhergrandfather.Now,throughher“microdairy”onthissameland,sheartisticallycraftsaward-winningcheesesfromgoatmilkandothernaturalingredients—asculptorincurdsandwheyworkingtodelightthepalatewithcreationsfromspreadablecreamytohardandmarbled.

SheandherhusbandKenny,ageneralcontractor,havebeenlivinghereonthefarmsincetheearly1990s.AsownerandcheesemakeratBelleÉcorceFarms,Wandaisassistedbyasmallstaff.Herfresh,ripenedandagedgoatcheesesarecraftedusingFrench-Acadianartisanalmethods;heruniqueseasonedchèvre(Frenchforgoatcheese)offersanopportunityforartistrybeyondtradition.

ForBarras,thefirststepwasacquiringtwogoatsin1999.Thedoeswerepregnant;Barrasfoundherselfponderingwhattodoallthemilktheywereproducing,sosheacquiredsomecheeserecipes.Thenextstepwasatripin2001toaseminarattheGoatLadyDairy,inAsheville,N.C.Thehookwasset.Soonshewasporingovereveryresourceshecoulduncoverongoatsandcheesemaking.

Shehadafewprejudicestoovercome.Initiallyreluctanttotrygoat’smilk,shewassurprisedtofindthatthefreshmilkfromhercarefully-fedandwell-tendedherdwasdelicate,subtletyaromaticandsimilartocow’smilk.Impeccablycleanandfreshwholemilkisessentialformakingfinecheese.Attheriskofsimplifyinga

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GOATCHEESE

The

ST. MARTINVILLE’S WANDA BARRAS CRAFTS ARTISAN FOOD FROM HER HERD AND FAMILY LAND

lady

SLEMCO Power ❘ Page 5

Her goats are primarily Lamachas and Nubians: docile, they offer sweet milk and can weather summer heat. Compared to cow milk products such as cream cheese, goat cheese is actually lower in fat, calories and cholesterol. And even though goat cheese has fewer calories, it has a full, rich and creamy flavor, Barras said. (Below) Three Res Belle Bleu cheeses

Wanda Barras describes her “micro dairy” as “100 goats and one cow.” Barras’ second cousin Nicole Arceneaux, the office and farm manager, leads Honey, a 3-year old Jersey heifer which will calf in July. In the background is Becky Miller, Arceneaux’s aunt. The cow will provide milk year-round, supplementing the traditional goat milking season of Easter to All Saints Day.

STORY & PHOTOS BY CURTIS DARRAH

For further information on Belle Écorce Farms and its cheeses, call (337) 394-6683 or visit http://tresbellechevrecheese.homestead.com. Products are offered at the farm store (but call ahead for an appointment) and in Lafayette at Joey’s Specialty Foods, Great Harvest Bread Company and Cena at River Ranch, as well as on many restaurant menus.

Mandy Guidry adds strips of dried tomato and herbs to some chèvre in the kitchen; Barras examines some of the cheeses aging in the walk-in climate controlled cooler which is the farm’s “cheese cave.” It can take two gallons of goat’s milk to make a pound of cheese.

againstthetrunkordirectlywaterthetrunk,”shesaid.“Turnthehoseonlowandletitrunslowly.”

Dozieroffersthefollowingtipsforirri-gatingtrees.aCheckyourflowratesafterafew

hours.Ifwaterisrunningoffthesurface,reducethewaterflow.Slowerwaterappli-cationallowsyoutowaterthetreerootswithoutlosstorunofforevaporation.aIfyourtreeismulched,pushmulch

asidesowaterreachesthesoil.Avoiddisturbingthesoilbecausedoingsomaydisruptroottissueandhamperthetree’sabilitytoabsorbmoisture.aAvoiddiggingorotherwisedis-

turbingthesoilduringdrought,forthesamereason.“Limitmower,vehicleandpedestriantrafficunderthetreeduringperiodsofextendeddrought,”Dozierwarned.

Treesmayneedtwoorthreedaystobewatereddeeply,dependingonsoilcondi-tionsandtreesize.Largetreesshouldbeirrigatedeverytwotofourweeksduringdrought.Smallertreesandnewplantingsmaytakelesstimetoirrigate,butneedwateringatleastweekly.

“TheLSUAgCenterdoesnotrec-ommendpruninglivebranchesduringdrought,unlessnecessarytocorrectimmediatestructuralorsafetyissues,”Doziersaid.Sheaddedthatleavesareatree’sfoodmanufacturingcenter,andpruningbasicallyremovessomeofatree’sabilitytomakeitsownfood.

Fromthetree’sstandpoint,pruningis“wounding,”andremovinglivebranchesforcesthetreetodirectenergytoclosingthewoundagainstpathogensandinsects.“Whenthetreeisunderdroughtstress,itneedstouseallofitsresourcesjusttosur-vive,”shesaid.

Removinglivebranchescanretardthetree’srecoveryfromstressessuchasrootdamage,windanddrought,thereforeonlyprunetoimproveormaintainthetree’shealthandsafety,Dozierexplained.

“Ifyouhavepotentialhazards,suchasdeadwoodordiseasedlimbs,youcan

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L ouisianaexperiencedthesecond-driestyearonrecordin2011.Butjustbecauseatreeturnedbrownor

droppedleavesduringadroughtdoesn’tmeanit’sdeadorcan’tbesaved.

“Beforeyoucut,makesurethetreeisdead,”explainedHallieDozier,aLouisianaStateUniversityAgriculturalCenterforester.“Ifitisalive,irrigateandprotecttherootzone.”

DroughtinLouisianalastyearloweredthesoilwatercontenttothepointwhereplants,includingtrees,couldn’textractenoughwatertosupportnormalgrowthandmaintenance,Doziersaid.

Treesunderdroughtconditionslosetheabilitytogrownormally,shesaid.Stressedtreesessentiallyshifttheirenergyandresourcestosurvivalratherthangrowth.Takingactionsthatredirectthetree’senergytohealorgrowmayactuallyhamperitseffortstosurvive.

First,treeswillshiftsomeoftheirenergytoclosestructuresontheirleavestohelpretainwater,butthisshutsdownnormalgrowthaswell.Treeswillalsoshuntenergytogrowmorerootstocapturelimitedwaterresourcesinthesoilandtapintofoodreservesthatarenecessaryforfuturegrowth.

Asconditionsgetdryer,rootsceasegrowthandfunctioning;thismaysaveenergyintheshortterm,butitseverelythreatensthetree’sabilitytorecoverandresumegrowthoncewaterbecomesavailable.

Finally,thetreestartssheddingfruits,leavesandbranches.Thisiswhenmosttreeownersfirstnoticethetreehasaproblem,butlongafterdrought-stress-relatedchangeshavebegun.

Duringadrought,irrigationisneces-sary,Doziersaid.“Waterthetreedeeplyandslowly,roughly10gallonsperinchoftreediameteratbreastheight.”

Towaterdeeply,layasoakerhoseinthecriticalrootzonebetweenthetrunkandtheedgeofthecanopy—the“dripline”ofthetree(LuckyAccountNumber1412415500).“Butdon’twrapthehose

pruneanytimeduringtheyear,”Doziersaid.“Otherwise,waituntilthedormantseasontoprunelivebranches,especiallyduringtimesofstresssuchashighheatordrought.

“Whenwaterisplentiful,youngtreesmaybenefitfromfertilizersthathelpthemputongrowth,”Doziersaid.Largertreesrarelyneedfertilizingunlesssoiltestsshowalackofnecessarynutrientsinthesoil.

Fertilizersaresaltsandmayharmadrought-stressedtreebypullingwaterawayfromtheroots.Delayfertilizingtreesuntilwaterisplentiful,andthenfertilizeonlywhennutrientsarelackinginthesoilorrapidgrowthisdesired,Dozieradvised.

“Ifthebranchorthewholetreedies,youneedprofessionalhelp,”Doziersaid.“Alwayshirelicensedworkers.”Statelicensingrequirestesting,continuingeducationandinsurance.Tocheckwhetheraprofessionalislicensed,calltheLouisianaDepartmentofAgricultureandForestryat225-952-8100. •

By Mary Ann Van Osdell, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center

Your trees may take several years

to completely recover after rains resume. Avoid unnecessary pruning and soil

disturbance for a few growing seasons.

HELP YOUR TREES SURVIVE AFTER A DROUGHT

■Pretendingtheyareotherpeopleonlinetotrickothers.

■Spreadingliesandrumorsaboutvictims.

■Sendingorforwardingmeantextmessages

■Postingpicturesofvictimswithouttheirconsent.

Victimsofcyberbulliesmayexperienceadropingrades,lowself-esteem,achangeininterestsordepression.To

itsvictims,theeffectsofcyberbullyingcanseemmoreextremethanface-to-facebullyingforanumberofreasons.

■Itoccursinthechild’shome,whichshouldbeaharborofsafetyandsecurity.

■Itcanbeharsher.Kidsoftensaythingsonlinethattheywouldn’tsayinperson.

■Itcanbefarreaching.Kidscansende-mailsmakingfunofsomeonetotheirentireclassorschoolwithafewclicks,orpostthemonawebsitefortheworldtosee(LuckyAccountNumber3036364500).

SLEMCO Power ❘ Page 7

Bullyingisnolongerjustaplaygroundproblem.Usingtechnologyincyber-space,modernbulliescanbemeaner

andnastiermoreeasilythaneverbefore.Internetbulliescanspewhatewith-

outfacingtheirvictims,makingitmucheasiertospreadlies.Perpetratorsfeelmoreanonymousandhardertoidentify,whichmakesthembolder.

Somevictimsofcyberbullyingfeeltheneedtochangeschoolstoescapetheabuse.Afewhaveevencommittedsuicide,unabletodealwiththeemotionalpainfromtheliesandrumorsspreadaboutthem.

AccordingtotheKaiserFamilyFoundation,74percentofeight-to18-year-oldshaveaccesstotheInternet.Inadditiontogamingandsocialmedia,manystudentsaccesstheInternetforschoolprojects.TheInternetisawonderfulwindowtotheworld,butitalsohasadarksidethatparentsneedtounderstandinordertoprotecttheirchildren.

Fortunately,theNationalCrimePreventionCouncilprovidespar-ents,schoolofficialsandchildrenwithmaterialatwww.ncpc.orgthatwillhelpkeepcyberbulliesatbay.

How youths cyberbully■Sendingmeanorthreatening

e-mails,instantmessagesortextmessages.

■Excludingsomeonefromaninstantmessengerbuddylistorblockingtheire-mailwithoutreason.

■Trickingsomeoneintoreveal-ingpersonalorembarrassinginformation,andthensendingitontoothers.

■Breakingintosomeone’se-mailorinstantmessageaccounttosendcrueloruntruemessageswhileposingasthatperson.

■Creatingwebsitestomakefunofanotherperson,suchasaclassmateorteacher.

■Usingwebsitestoratepeersasprettiest,ugliest,etc.

■Itcanbeanonymous.Cyberbulliesoftenhidebehindscreennamesande-mailaddressesthatdon’tidentifywhotheyare.Notknowingwhoisresponsibleforbullyingmessagescanaddtoavictim’sinsecurity.

■Itmayseeminescapable.Toadults,itmayseemeasytoavoidcyberbulliesbyjustgoingoffline,butsomekidssocializeprimarilyonline.

How to deal with cyberbullies■Blockcommunicationwith

cyberbullies.■Deletemessageswithoutreading

them.■Talktoafriendaboutthe

bullying.■Reporttheproblemtoan

Intenetserviceproviderorwebsitemoderator.

■Refusetopassalongcyberbully-ingmessages.

■Tellfriendstostopcyberbully-ing.

■Reportcyberbullyingtoatrustedadult(LuckyAccountNumber2061013504).

Forparentsorguardianswhoarenotinternet-savvy,cyberbullyingcanbeconfusingandseeminglyimpos-sibletomanage.Researchinganddis-cussingtheissuewithyourchildrenandteenscanhelpthemavoidbeingeitheravictimorbecominguninten-tionallyinvolvedincyberbullying.

Startwiththewebsitesbelowandmakeitaprioritytocommunicatewithyourchildren,nomatterwhattheirage. •

RESOURCESFORMOREINFORMATIONwww.ncpc.org/topics/internet-safetywww.ncpc.org/topics/cyberbullyingwww.cyberbullying.uswww.stopcyberbullying.orgwww.wiredsafety.comwww.stopbullyingnow.com

HELP YOUR CHILDRENDEAL WITH CYBERBULLIES

Teens can help their peers by refusing to pass along messages from cyberbullies.

Page 8 ❘ SLEMCO Power

T he 75th annual meeting of the SLEMCO membership will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the Lafayette Cajundome. The following, taken from the co-op’s By-Laws, details

the reason for annual meetings and shows how board members are selected for the organization.

ARTICLE IIIMeeting of Members

Section 1. Annual and Special Meetings.(a) TheAnnualMeetingsofthemembersshallbeheldonthefirst

SaturdayofJuneofeachyearforthepurposeofelectingdirec-tors,passinguponreportscoveringthepreviousfiscalyearandtransactingsuchotherbusinessasmaycomebeforethemeeting.IfsuchAnnualMeetingisomittedonthedatehereinprovidedtherefore,aspecialmeetingmaybeheldinplacethereof,andanybusinesstransactedorelectionsheldatsuchspecialmeetingshallhavethesameeffectasiftransactedorheldattheAnnualMeeting.FailuretoholdtheAnnualMeetingatthedesignatedtimeshallnotworkaforfeitureordissolutionoftheCorporation.

(b) SpecialmeetingofthemembersmaybecalledbythePresident;byResolutionoftheBoardofDirectors;uponwrittenrequestsignedbyanythreeDirectors;orbyaPetitionsignedbynotlessthantenpercent(10%)oftheMembersoftheCorporation.Itshallthere-uponbethedutyoftheSecretarytocauseanoticeofsuchmeet-ingtobegivenashereinafterprovided.

Section 2. Place and Purposes of Member’s Meetings.(a) Meetingsofthemembersshallbeheldattheprincipalofficeofthe

CorporationintheCityofLafayette,Louisiana,oratsuchotherplaceintheStateofLouisianaasmaybedesignatedinthecallofthemeeting.

(b) Thepurposesforwhichmeetingsofthemembersaretobeheld,inadditiontothosepurposesprescribedbylaw,includeAmendmentstotheArticlesofIncorporation,orBy-Laws,andinthecaseofaSpecialMeeting,thepurposeorpurposesforwhichthemeetingiscalledshallbespecifiedinwriting.SpecialMeetingsshallbecalledbythePresident,BoardofDirectors,awrittenrequestsignedbyanythree(3)Directors,orbyaPetitionsignedbynotlessthantenpercent(10%)ofthemembersoftheCorporation.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings.(a) Writtenorprintednoticeofthetimeandplaceandpurposes

assetoutinSection2ofallmeetingsshallbeeithermailedordeliveredpersonallytoeachmembernotlessthanten(10)daysnormorethantwenty-five(25)daysbeforethedateforsuchmeeting,directedtohisaddressasitappearsontheCorporation’sbooks,postageprepaid.Ifmailed,withpostagethereonprepaid,suchnoticeshallbedeemedtobedeliveredwhendepositedintheUnitedStatesmail,addressedtothememberathisaddressasitappearsontherecordsoftheCooperative.Thefailureofanymembertoreceivenoticeofanannualorspecialmeetingofthemembersshallnotinvalidateanyactionwhichmaybetakenbythemembersofanysuchmeeting.

Section 4. Quorum.Fivepercentofallmembers,presentinper-son,shallconstituteaquorum.Atanymeetingofmembersatwhichaquo-rumisdeterminednottobepresent,amajorityofthosepresentinpersonmayadjournthemeetingfromtimetotimewithoutfurthernotice.

Section 5. Voting.(a) Ateverymeetingofthemembers,eachmemberpresentshall

beentitledtoonlyonevote.Wherethemembershipstandsinthenameofthehusband,thevotemaybecastbythewifeintheeventthehusbandisnotinattendance,andwherethemember-

shipstandsinthenameofthewife,thevotemaybecastbythehusbandifthewifeisnotinattendance.Adulyauthorizedofficerofanyfirm,corporation,partnership,association,businesstrust,federalagency,stateorpoliticalsubdivisionoragencythereoforanybodypolitic,may,uponproperproofofhisauthority,castthevoteofsuchorganization.Exceptasotherwiseprovidedherein,atallsuchmeetingsofthemembersatwhichaquorumispresent,allquestionsshallbedecidedbyavoteofamajorityofthemembersvotingontheparticularquestion.

(b) Thereshallbenovotingbyproxy.Section 6. Order of Business.Theorderofbusinessatthe

AnnualMeetingsofthemembers,andsofaraspossibleatallothermeet-ingsofthemembersshallbeasfollows:

1. Reportastowhichmembersarepresentinpersoninordertodeterminetheexistenceofaquorum.

2. Readingofthenoticeofthemeetingtogetherwithproofoftheduemailingthereoforofthewaiverorwaiversofnoticeofsuchmeeting.

3. Presentationandreadingofunapprovedminutesofpreviousmeetingsofthemembersandthetakingofnecessaryactionthere-on.

4. Presentationandconsiderationof,andactingupon,reportofoffi-cers,directorsandcommittees.

5. Electionofdirectors.6. UnfinishedBusiness.7. Newbusiness.8. Adjournment.

ARTICLE IVBoard of Directors

Section 1. General Powers. ThebusinessandaffairsoftheCorporationshallbemanagedbyaBoardofDirectorswhichshallexerciseallofthepowersoftheCorporationexceptsuchasarebylaworbytheArticlesofIncorporationorbytheseBy-Lawsconferreduponorreservedtothemembers.

Section 2. Number and Qualifications and Election.(a) ThenumberofDirectorsoftheCorporationshallbeten(10).

EachDirectormustbeamemberoftheCorporationandshallbeelectedbythemembersattheAnnualMeetingofMembersoratthespecialmeetingheldinlieuthereof,forthetermandasprovidedbytheseBy-Laws.Thereshallbetwo(2)DirectorsfromeachofthefollowingParishes:Acadia,St.Landry,Lafayette,St.Martin,andVermilion.EachDirectorshallhaveresidedinoneoftheaforesaidparishesfortheprecedingtwo(2)years,andshallhavebeenactivelydomiciledfortheprecedingyearintheparishherepresents.

(b) NopersonmayholdtheofficeofDirectorwhoisinanywayemployedby,orfinanciallyinterestedinacompetingenterpriseorabusinesssellingelectricenergyorsuppliestotheCooperative,orabusinessprimarilyengagedinsellingelectricalorplumbingappliances,fixturesorsuppliestothemem-bersoftheCooperative.

(b-1) NopersonmayholdtheofficeofDirectorwhoisinanywayemployedbythecorporation.

(b-2) NopersonmayholdtheofficeofaDirectorifheand/oranimmediatefamilymemberisfinanciallyinterestedinacom-petingenterpriseorabusinesssellingelectricenergyorsup-pliestotheCorporation,orabusinessprimarilyengagedinsellingelectricalorplumbingappliances,fixtures,orsuppliestothemembersoftheCorporation.Animmediatefamilymember,forthepurposesofthissubsection(b-2)isdefinedastheDirector’sspouse,parent,child,grandchild,brother,sister,

PARTICIPATING IN SLEMCO’S

SLEMCO Power ❘ Page 9

and/orspousesthereof,includinganyin-lawsoftheaforesaidpersons.Afinancialinterestforthepurposesofthissubsection(b-2)isdefinedasanownershipinterestinexcessof10%inanenterpriseorbusinessabovereferenced,andwhichownershipinterestproducesanincomeinexcessof$500.00perannum.

(c) Nopersonmaybeeligibletoserveasadirectorwhoistheincum-bentoforacandidateforanelectivepublicofficeinconnectionwithwhichasalaryinexcessof$500.00perannumispaid.

(c-1) NopersonshallbeallowedtoholdtheofficeofaDirectoroftheCorporationwhoisphysicallyand/ormentallyincapableofperformingallofthedutiesrequiredofaDirector.Suchadetermination,pursuanttoachargeofincapacity,shallfirstbemadebyaphysicianselectedbyamajorityoftheBoardofDirectorsandwhoafterperforminghisevaluationrendersareportcertifyingtheincapacity,eitherphysicallyormentally,oftheDirector.Uponsuchcertification,amajorityoftheBoardofDirectorsshallbeallowedtodeclaresaidpartymen-tallyand/orphysicallyincapableofperformingallofhisdutiesasaBoardMember.ArefusaltosubmittotheexaminationsubjectstheDirectorchargedtoimmediateremovalbymajor-ityvoteoftheBoardofDirectors.

(c-2) NopersonmayholdtheofficeofaDirectoroftheCorporationwhohasbeenconvictedofanyfelonyoramisde-meanorinvolvingmoralturpitude.

(c-3) NopersonmaybeeligibletoserveasaDirectorwhohasanimmediatefamilymember(immediatemeanswithinthethirddegree)servingontheBoardofDirectorsofthecorporation.

(c-4) NopersonholdingthepositionofaDirectorofthiscorpora-tionshallbeallowedtosolicitorotherwiserequestthatthecorporationand/oritsemployeesconductbusinesswithsaidDirector.

(c-5) NopersonshallbeeligibletoserveasaDirectoruntiltwo(2)yearshaselapsedsincehewasanemployeeoftheCorporation.

(d) WhenaDirectorreachestheageofeighty(80),saidDirectorshallnolongerbeeligibletocontinuetoserveasaDirectoroftheCorporation.IfaDirectorofthisCorporationis80yearsofageorolderonJune4,2011,heshallonlybeeligibletocontinuetoserveasaDirectoroftheCorporationforanadditionalsix(6)monthperiodoftime.

Anypersonand/orDirectorwhoviolatesanyoftherequirementsofArt.IV,Sec.2,paragraphsa,b,c,csubpartsand/ord,afterduenotice,atleastfive(5)dayspriortothemeetingatwhichthechargesaretobeconsidered,shallhavetherighttobeheardinpersonorbycounselandtopresentevidenceinrespecttothechargesandtheBoardofDirectorsshallhavethesameopportunity.

Atthenextregularlyorspecificallyscheduledmeeting,theBoardofDirectorsoftheCorporation,byamajorityvoteofsaidBoard,mayremoveandthesameareherebyauthorizedtoremovetheDirectorwhohasvio-latedand/orwhoisfoundnottohavefulfilledthequalificationsofservingontheBoardofDirectorsoftheCorporation.SaidvacancyshallbefilledasprovidedforinArt.IV,Sec.4oftheseBy-Laws.

(e) Nomination.ItshallbethedutyoftheBoardofDirectorstoappoint,notlessthanforty-five(45)daysnormorethanonehundred(100)daysbeforethedateofthemeetingofmembersatwhichDirectorsaretobeelected,acommitteeonnomina-tionsconsistingofnotlessthanfive(5)normorethaneleven(11)members,whoshallbeselectedfromdifferentsectionsoftheprojectareasoastoensureequitablerepresentations.NomemberoftheBoardofDirectorsmayserveonsuchcommittee.Thedate,timeandplaceofthemeetingofthenominatingcommitteefor

theBoardofDirectorsshallbepublishedinthemonthlyissueofthemembershippublicationinthemonthimmediatelyprecedingthatmeeting.Thecommitteeshallprepareandpostattheprin-cipalofficeofthisCooperative,atleastforty-five(45)daysbeforethemembershipmeeting,alistofnominationsofDirectors,selectingthesamenumberofpersonsasnomineesasthenumberwhosetermsexpireatthenextAnnualMeeting;selectingatleastone(1)nomineefromeachParishwhichistheaddressanddomi-cileofthememberwhosetermwillexpireattheAnnualMeeting,soastoensuretwo(2)BoardMembersatalltimesfromeachofthefive(5)ParishesnamedinSection2(1),ArticleIVoftheBy-Laws.

(e-1) Anyfifteen(15)ormoremembersactingtogethermaymakeothernominationsbyPetitionandfilethePetitionwiththeSecretaryattheheadquartersofficeoftheCooperative,notlessthantwenty-five(25)dayspriortothemeetingofthemem-bers.TheSecretaryshallthereuponimmediatelypostsuchnominationsattheheadquartersofficeoftheCooperative,atwhichplacethelistofnominationsmadebytheNominatingCommitteehasbeenposted.WhennominationsaremadebyPetitioninadditiontothosemadebytheNominatingCommitteeasaforesaid,theSecretaryshallimmediatelymailwiththenoticeofthemeeting,orseparately,butatleastten(10)dayspriortothedateofthemeetingofmembers,toeachmemberastatementofthenumberofDirectorstobeelectedandthenamesandaddressesofallofthecandidates,specify-ingseparatelythenominationsmadebytheCommitteeonNominationsandalsothenominationsmadebyPetition.AllnominationsofmembersascandidatefortheBoardofDirectorsshallspecifytheParishwhichthesaidcandidateistorepresent.AllmemberspresentattheAnnualMeetingatwhichDirectorsaretobeelected,shallbeentitledtovoteontheDirectorstobeelected,regardlessoftheParishwhichsuchDirectorsaretorepresent.Notwithstandinganythingcon-tainedinthisSection,failuretocomplywithanyoftheprovi-sionsofthisSectionshallnotinanymannerwhatsoeveraffectthevalidityofanyelectionforDirectors.

Section 3. Tenure.TheBoardofDirectorsshallbedividedintothree(3)classesattheAnnualMeetingofmemberstobeheldonJune2,1979,thefirstclasstobecomposedoffour(4)memberswiththetermofofficetoexpireatthenextsucceedingAnnualMeetingin1980;thesecondclasstobecomposedofthree(3)memberswiththetermoftheDirectorsofthesecondclasstoexpireatthesecondsucceedingAnnualMeetingin1981,andthethirdclasstobecomposedofthree(3)members,andthetermofofficetoexpireofthethirdsucceedingAnnualMeetingin1982.Asnearlyaspossible,notwomembersshallbeelectedfromthesamepar-ishinthesameyear.TheimplementationofthisprovisionoftheBy-LawsshallnotbesuchastoreducethetermofofficeofanyDirectorservingatthetimeofitsimplementation.AteachAnnualMeetingfollowingtheclas-sificationhereinprovided,anumberofDirectorsequaltothenumberoftheclasswhosetermexpiredatthetimeforsuchmeetingshallbeelectedtoholdofficeforatermofthree(3)years,oruntilthethirdsucceedingAnnualMeetingaftersuchelection.

Section 4. Vacancies.VacanciesoccurringintheBoardofDirectorsshallbefilledbyamajorityvoteoftheremainingDirectors.DirectorsthuselectedbytheBoardofDirectorstofillvacanciesshallserveuntiltheexpirationofthetermoftheDirectorwhoseofficethesaidmemberhasbeenelectedtofilloruntilhissuccessorhasbeendulyelectedandqualified,provided,however,thatanymemberelectedbytheBoardof

ANNUAL MEETING IS EASY

Continued on page 12

COOKING

Page 10 ❘ SLEMCO Power

SOMETHING GOOD IS ALWAYS

Topwithanothersprinkleofcheeseandanothertortilla.Cookforabout3minutes.Flipoverandcookforanother3minutesuntilcheesehasmeltedandtortillasaregoldenbrown.Repeatwithremainingingredients.Yield:2servings

–Courtesy of French Meadow Bakery

Gluten-Free Brownie Trifle

1 pkg. French Meadow Bakery Gluten-Free Fudge Brownies; thawed and crumbled

1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) instant chocolate pudding mix

1/2 cup water1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk2 containers (12 oz.) frozen whipped

topping, thawed1 tsp. vanilla extract

Inalargebowl,combinepuddingmix,waterandsweetenedcondensedmilk.Mixuntilsmoothandwellblended.Gentlyfoldin8oz.ofthewhippedtopping.

Inaseparatedish,combineremainingwhippedtoppingand1tsp.vanilla.

Takehalfofcrumbledbrowniesandlayeronthebottomofatriflebowl.Topwithhalfofthepuddingmixtureandthenhalfofthewhippedtoppingmixture.Repeatlayersonce.Refrigerateatleast2hoursbeforeserving.

–Courtesy of French Meadow Bakery

Cinnamon Coconut Cashew Spread

1 cup cashews, soaked in water for 30 minutes

1 cup coconut cream (Let can of coconut milk settle, then skim cream from the top: it should be thick.)

3 tbsp. honey2 tsp. cinnamonpinch of salt

Placeallingredientsinblender.Blenduntilsmooth.Serveongluten-freebread,appleslices,celery,etc.Yield:1pint

–Courtesy of Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery and Renegade Kitchen

Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Tomato Jam:3 1/2 lbs. Roma tomatoes, large dice1 small onion brulée, chopped1/2 cup brown sugar1 1/2 cups granulated sugar1 tsp. salt1/2 tsp. coriander1/4 tsp. cumin1/4 cup sherry vinegar1 lemon

Putallingredientsina2-quartpot.Bringtoagentleboil,andthenreduceheattoasimmer.Cookuntilthickenedintoajam-likeconsistency,about3hours.Keepaneyeonthepottomakesurethejamdoesnotburn.Yield:20servings

Grilled Cheese:Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery Multigrain

Sandwich BreadSliced cheese (choose your favorite)

Combineaheapingtbsp.ofthejamwithabout3slicesofcheesebetween2slicesofbreadinabutteredpantocookthegrilledcheesesandwich.

–Courtesy of Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery and Justin Cucci of Root Down in Denver

Gulf Coast Seafood Stew with Rice

1 tbsp. olive oil1 cup diced celery1/2 cup diced green bell pepper1/2 cup diced onion3 tbsp. thinly sliced garlic5 1/2 cups water1 can (14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes,

drained1 can (6 oz.) gluten-free tomato paste1 package Zatarain’s Spanish Rice1/2 tsp. salt1/2 lb. flounder, cut into 3-inch pieces1/2 lb. jumbo lump crabmeat1/2 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and

deveined1 pint shucked oysters with liquor (juice)

These recipes and facts come from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. More recipes are available at www.CeliacCentral.org/recipes.Gluten-free cooking videos available atwww.CeliacCentral.org/cookingvideos.

FAST FACTS ABOUT CELIAC DISEASE AND THE GLUTEN-FREE DIET

■Glutenisaproteinfoundinwheat,barleyandrye.Inadditiontoobvioussourceslikepasta,breadandcake,glutencanalsobefoundinsoysauce,saladdressing,licoriceandmore.

■AnestimatedthreemillionAmericanshaveceliacdisease,but95percentareundiagnosed.

■Anestimated18millionAmericanshaveglutensensitivity.

■Therearemorethan300symptomsofceliacdisease.AsymptomschecklistisavailableatDoIHaveCeliac.org.

■Ifleftundiagnosed,celiacdiseasecanleadtootherhealthconditionslikeinfertility,osteoporosisandevencancer.

■Celiacdiagnosisbeginswithasimplebloodtest.

■Theonlytreatmentforceliacdiseaseisalifelonggluten-freediet.

Gluten-Free Squash & Caramelized Onion

Quesadilla 4 French Meadow Bakery Gluten-Free

Tortillas1/2 white onion1 tbsp. olive oil1/4 cup mashed squash (any variety such

as acorn, butternut, etc.)3/4 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese

Choponionintosmallpiecesandheatoliveoilinpanovermediumheat.Whenhot,addonions,stirringoccasionally.Cookforabout10to15minutesuntilonionsaregoldenbrown.Setaside.

Heatpantomedium-lowheatandadd1tortilla.Topwithasprinkleofcheese.Thenaddhalfofonionsandsquash.

SLEMCO Power ❘ Page 11

cookfor5minutes,stirringoccasionally.Transferchickentoaplate.AddoniontotheDutchovenandcookfor3minutes,stirringoccasionally.Addhalfofthegin-ger,halfofthegarlic,andcayenneandcookfor1minute,stirringfrequently.Addcoconutmilk,chickenstock,toma-toes,peanutbutter,black-eyedpeasand1tsp.thymetosaucepan.Bringtoaboilandreduceliquidbyathird.

Reduceheattosimmer.Stirinsweetpotato,chicken,remainingginger,remaininggarlicand1/4tsp.thymeleaves.Cookfor15to20minutesoruntilsweetpotatoiscookedthrough.Seasontotastewithsaltandpepper.

Serveinbowls.Sprinklewithremain-ing1/4tsp.thymeleaves.

Yield:4to6entréeservings–Courtesy of Thai Kitchen

Smokehouse Cheddar Cracker Spread

3/4 cup Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds, chopped, plus additional for topping, if desired

1/2 lb. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup good quality gluten-free beer, at room temperature

2 tbsp. butter, softened1 1/2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard

(make sure it’s gluten-free)1 clove garlic1/4 cup sliced green onion topsBlue Diamond Nut Thins Crackers

Placealmonds,cheese,beer,butter,mustardandgarlicinafoodprocessor.Puréeuntilfairlysmooth.Addonionsandpulseonandofftochop.Transfertoaservingbowlandtopwithadditionalalmonds,ifdesired.ServewithBlueDiamondNutThins.Yield:about13/4cups

Note: May be prepared up to a week ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigera-tor. To serve, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes or until soft enough to spread.

–Courtesy of Blue Diamond

For extra copies of these recipes or to e-mail a copy to a friend, visit SLEMCO Power magazine online at www.slemco.com.

HeatoilinlargesaucepotorDutchovenonmedium-highheat.Addcelery,bellpepper,onionandgarlic;cookandstir3minutesoruntilsoftened.

Stirinwater,tomatoes,tomatopaste,ricemixandsalt;bringtoboil.Reduceheattolow;coverandsimmer45min-utes,stirringoccasionally.

Addfish,crabmeat,shrimpandoys-ters.Cookonmediumheat5minutesuntiloystersarecurled.Seasonasdesiredwithhotpeppersauce.Yield:12(1-cup)servings

–Courtesy of Zatarain’s

Tropical Chicken and Rice

1 tbsp. vegetable oil1 lb. gluten-free boneless skinless

chicken breasts, cubed2 1/2 cups water2 tbsp. butter1 pkg. Zatarain’s Caribbean Rice Mix1 cup mango cubes1 cup canned or fresh pineapple cubes1/2 cup chopped banana2 to 4 tbsp. chopped cilantro

Heatoilinlargeskilletonmedium-highheat.Addchicken;cookandstir4minutesoruntilbrowned.Removechicken;setaside.

Addwaterandbuttertosameskillet;bringtoboil.Stirinricemix;returntoboil.Reduceheattolow;coverandsim-mer15minutes.Addchicken;mixwell.Coverandcookadditional10minutesoruntilriceistender.Removefromheat.Letstand5minutes.Addmango,pineapple,bananaandcilantro;mixlightly.Yield:6(1-cup)servings

–Courtesy of Zatarain’s

Gluten-Free Crabcakes1 egg3 tbsp. mayonnaise1 tsp. Dijon mustard1/4 cup finely chopped onion1/4 tsp. pepper1/4 tsp. dried tarragon or Old Bay

Seasoning1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free)1 tsp. salt3/4 cup Blue Diamond Pecan Crackers,

finely crushed1 lb. crabmeatbutter/oil

Inalargebowl,whisktogethertheegg,mayonnaise,mustard,onion,tarragon,Worcestershiresauce,pepperandsalt.Addthecrabmeatand1/4cupoftheBlueDiamondPecanCrackers,andtossthemixturegently.Spreadtheremainingcrackersonaplate.Formthecrabmixtureinto8to10patties,roughly3/4-inchthick.Coatthetopandbottomofeachpattycarefullywiththecrackers,transferringthecrabcakesastheyareformedtoasheetofwaxpaper.Chillfor15to30minutes.

Inalargeskillet,heatthebutter/oilovermoderatelyhighheat.Sautéthecrabcakes,inbatchesifnecessary,for1to2minutesoneachside,oruntilgolden,transferringthemastheyarecookedtoaheatedplatter.Servethecrabcakeswiththelemonwedges,aioliortartarsauce.

–Courtesy of Blue Diamond

West African Chicken Soup

16 oz. boneless, skinless chicken thigh, diced

freshly ground black pepperkosher salt1 onion, thinly sliced2 tbsp. freshly grated ginger6 cloves garlic, pressed or finely minced1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne1 (14 oz.) can Thai Kitchen coconut milk4 cups low-sodium gluten-free chicken

stock or water1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes, drained2 tbsp. creamy peanut butter2 (15 oz.) cans black-eyed peas, drained

and rinsed1 large sweet potato, peeled and large dice1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

HeataDutchovenorlargepotovermedium-highheat.Seasonchickengener-ouslywithblackpepperandlightlywithsalt.AddchickentoDutchovenand

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DirectorstofillavacancyonthesaidBoardmustbearesidentofthesameParishasthedirectorcausingthesaidvacancy.

Section 5. Compensation.Directorsshallnotreceiveanysalaryfortheirservices,butbyResolutionoftheBoardofDirectorsafixedfeeandexpensesofattendancemaybeallowedforattendanceateachmeetingoftheBoardofDirectors,providedthattheDirectorsandOfficersoftheCorporation,exceptinemergencies,shallnotreceivecompensationfromtheCorporationfortheirservicesexceptafterapprovalbythemembersattheregularorspecialmeeting.

Section 6. Rules and Regulations.TheBoardofDirectorsshallhavepowertomakeandadoptsuchrulesandregulations,notinconsistentwiththeArticlesofIncorporationortheBy-LawsoftheCorporationorthelawsoftheStateofLouisianaasitmaydeemadvisableforthemanagement,administrationandregulationofthebusi-nessandaffairsoftheCorporation.

Section 7. Accounting System and Reports.TheBoardofDirectorsshallcausetobeestablishedandmaintainedacompleteaccount-ingsystem,whichshallconformtosuchsystemofaccountsasmayfromtimetotimebedesignatedbytheRuralElectrificationAdministrationoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica.AllaccountsoftheCorporationshallbeexaminedbytheBoardofDirectorsatleastfourtimesayearatregularmeetingsoftheBoard.TheBoardofDirectorsmayalsoafterthecloseofeachfiscalyearcausetobemadeafullandcompleteauditoftheaccounts,booksandfinancialconditionoftheCorporationasoftheendofsuchfiscalyear.Suchauditreportsshallbesubmittedtothemembersatthefol-lowingAnnualMeeting.

Section 8. Removal of Directors by Members.Anymem-

Continued from page 9 bermaybringchargesagainstaDirectorbyfilingsuchchargesinwritingwiththeSecretary,togetherwithaPetitionsignedbyatleasttenpercent(10%)ofthemembersandrequesttheremovalofsuchDirectorbyreasonthereof.TheDirector,againstwhomsuchchargeshavebeenbrought,shallbeinformedinwritingofthechargesatleastfive(5)dayspriortothemeetingatwhichthechargesaretobeconsideredandshallhaveanopportunityatthemeet-ingtobeheardinpersonorbycounselandtopresentevidenceinrespecttothechargesandthepersonorpersonsbringingthechargesagainsthimshallhavethesameopportunity.ThequestionoftheremovalofsuchDirectorshallbeconsideredandvoteduponatthenextregularorspecialmeetingofthemembers,asprovidedforinLouisianaR.S.12:418,andanyvacancycreatedbysuchremovalshallbefilledbyvoteofthemembersinaccordancewiththegeneralnominationandelectionprocedureprovidedforherein. •

SLEMCO 2012 NOMINATING COMMITTEEAcadia Parish—Mr.DonHigginbotham,P.OBox643,ChurchPoint,

LA70525Lafayette Parish—Mr.RalphMiller,2318RidgeRoad,Duson,LA70529St. Martin Parish—Mrs.BarbaraHebert,1064LynnHardyRoad,

Arnaudville,LA70512St. Landry Parish—Mr.WilliamClay,3864PrairieRondeHighway,

Opelousas,LA70570Vermilion Parish—Mr.JohnLandry,211N.HollingsworthDrive,

Abbeville,LA70510

ThecommitteewillmeetApril3,2012,at8:00a.m.attheSLEMCOoffice,3420NEEvangelineThruway,Lafayette,LA. (s)BryanG.Leonards,Sr.,Board Secretary

IMPORTANT SLEMCO PHONE NUMBERS

Toreportapoweroutageanywhereinourservicearea,callourautomatedtoll-freesystembydialing1-888-2SLEMCO

(1-888-275-3626).Toturnyourelectricityofforon,you

cancalltheSLEMCOServiceDepartmentdayornight,sevendaysaweek,atanyofthesenumbers:

Lafayette area 896-5551Broussard 237-5122Crowley 783-7714Kaplan 643-6565Washington 826-7911Youngsville 237-5122Ifyouliveinanareanotlistedabove,

callthenumbernearestyou. •

LUCKY NUMBER

WINNERSNone of the 10 SLEMCO mem-

bers whose account numbers were hidden in the

January/February issue of SLEMCO Power called in to claim their $10 prize.

Those members included John Galla of Lafayette, Joshua K. Klein of Erath, George Hains Jr. of Rayne, Valentini Imvriotis of Youngsville, Gene F. Jones of Abbeville, Zora Laughlin of Egan, Debra Nall of

Krotz Springs, Deborah C. Plouet of Breaux Bridge, Randall Mire of

Kaplan and Karl Ordoyne Jr. of Arnaudville.

Ten more SLEMCO account numbers are hidden in this issue (Lucky Account Number 4507004501). Check now to

see if yours is one of them. If so, call SLEMCO’s Mrs. Gayle Babin at

896-2504. If you are a winner, she’ll credit $10 to your account. •