A Graceful August

What a blast! August is a very hectic month for me since I begin to take the position of Institutional Services Manager in SOCOTECO-I. The Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) where we usually targeted to gather around 5% of member consumers falls within the last Saturday of August and the founding anniversary where employees gather to have fun falls every August 31. All of these activities are handled by our department.

With the new challenges given by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to have a greater attendance during AGMA, we decided to step out and conduct the first simultaneous AGMA in two different location, one in South Cotabato Cultural Gym and the other one is in Surallah Gym. This is for us to meet the target attendance of 7.5% member consumer owners. Days before our AGMA is such a mess since our live streaming doesn’t work yet. We just finalized our connection and had our final testing the night before the AGMA. An hour before the actual event, the live streaming works but when it is about to start, the connection stopped. Through teamwork, the connection was back around an hour and I am glad about it. During the open forum, I am also happy that the questions raised were easily handled by our Board of Directors and Management Team. Eventually, despite all the troubles before and during AGMA, I can say that it is a success.

After a week, we also need to finalize our preparation for the founding anniversary. The preparation was really so difficult for us since there are last minute changes in the program as instructed by the NEA. We had our tree planting, line clearing and candle lighting activities aside from our usual program.  These three added activities are mandated by NEA and simultaneously done by all Electric Cooperatives in the Philippines. The tree planting was done by all non-technical employees and some organized Member Consumer Owners (MCO) in our different districts. On the other hand, the line clearing was done by all technical staff in four different areas. Also, we prayed for our 353 unenergized sitios by doing a ceremonial candle lighting before our program for founding anniversary. It is our prayer that the government will help rural electrification program by providing us funds to energize the remaining sitios in our coverage area. And I am glad to be part of this institution who is not a profit oriented organization but a service oriented one.

For the first time, we have invited a comedian to entertain our employees during the founding anniversary. It was a night filled with laughter. Not to mention that I am so lucky to win a major prize during raffle and to be declared as lady of the night during the event.  After the formal event, we had our foam party which is also done for the first time. Those who stayed really enjoyed the night as they soak themselves in the foams while dancing into the music.

Whenever I remember how hard the preparations for these activities are, the stressful days and sleepless nights, I believe that everything is worth it. I am happy to take part and to be in a team where no matter how hard and tiring everything is, everyone gives their best for the success of the activity. 

Above all, it is only through His grace that it is a success. And I am thankful enough to praise Him and give Him all the glory. It is indeed a month full of His grace.