What is Operation Round Up?

What is Operation Round Up?

Operation Round Up is a program originally developed in 1989 by Palmetto Electric in Hilton Head Island, SC. The idea was to round electric bills up to the next highest dollar and use the funds collected for charitable purposes. For example, if your electric bill is $127.50, your bill would be rounded up to the next highest dollar and you would pay $128.00. The extra fifty cents would then be placed in a fund and distributed for charitable purposes.

Through the generosity of members, electric co-ops around the country are making big differences out of small change. They, along with Northern Plains Electric Cooperative (NPEC), do that through Operation Round Up, a program that gives grants to local organizations and individuals whom are members of NPEC. Participating members voluntarily round up their electric bill to the next whole dollar. The donation averages 50 cents a month and raises about $37,000 each year. A board, which consists of co-op members like you, meets quarterly to disburse the funds. This year's board members include:

Joan Copenhaver, President - Carrington

Deb Leapaldt, Vice President -Woodworth

Angie Freund, Secretary/Treasurer – Cando 

Peg Hendrickson - Rock Lake

Rachelle Williams - Maddock

 

 

Operation Round Up FAQ

In order to participate in Operation Round Up, you probably don't have to do anything! Your bill may already be enrolled in Operation Round Up! If it is typically "rounded up" to even numbers--$68 instead of $67.44, for example, then, most likely, you are already enrolled.

If you are NOT enrolled, you can easily become a participant. Simply call our office 1-800-882-2500 to enroll today.

However, if you choose NOT to participate, call our office 1-800-882-2500 and ask for your name to be removed from the Operation Round Up program.

Applications are available at both the Cando and Carrington office for individuals or organizations in need. The correct form must be completed and forwarded to the cooperative. The Operation Round-Up board reviews all applications and makes decisions on fund disbursement.

Donations will range for 1 cent to 99 cents per month. Each month the donation will vary, depending on the amount of your electric bill. There will be a separate line on your electric bill indicating the amount donated to the Operation Round Up fund in that particular month.

Donations may be made to any organization within the outer boundaries of the Northern Plains Electric service area as well as individuals that are members of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative.

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 political purposes.

Operation Round Up donations are tax exempt, and Northern Plains Electric will notify each participating member at the end of the year of their total annual contribution.

The average contribution is six dollars ($6) per year but donations can range anywhere from 12 cents to $11.88 per year.

An Operation Round Up board of directors will distribute the funds. Operation Round Up board members are from throughout are service area.

Yes, Operation Round Up bylaws state that board members must also be members of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative.

The Operation Round Up boards meets every quarter, in the months of March, June, September, and December.

Applications must be returned by the 20th of the month prior to the next meeting for consideration.

February 20th

May 20th

August 20th

November 20th

Since the Operation Round Up program was launched at Northern Plains in 1998, over $900,000 has been disbursed to worthy causes.

Yes, one of the functions of the Operation Round Up board is to make a presentation at the annual meeting. Also, we will publish the disbursements in the center pages of our magazine.

Yes, $2,500 has been set as the maximum amount awarded to any one individual or organization.

No. Northern Plains Electric personnel helps administer the program as a complimentary service to the organization. Northern Plains Electric does not receive any kind of monetary or in-kind reimbursements from Operation Round Up for its services. All "rounded up" funds flow directly into the Operation Round Up trust and are overseen by the Operation Round Up board.