April is one of my favorite months of the year — the month we celebrate National Linemen Month and Cooperative Youth Leaders Workshop.
This is the designated time to celebrate both the linemen who power our lives and some of our state’s high school juniors who will become future leaders of our state.
First, about those linemen. April is National Linemen Month. Although we have a month where we spotlight our hardhat heroes for the crucial service they provide to members each day, every day is Lineman Appreciation Day at an electric cooperative.
The work they do is dangerous andphysically demanding. Linemen work non-traditional hours and outdoors in difficult conditions. The job requires enhanced technical skills, years of training, and hands-on instruction.
The specialized skills, experience, and mental toughness required for the job means all linemen need to be experts who can’t afford to make errors.
Considered one of the most dangerous jobs in our nation, lineman aren’t the only ones making a sacrifice.
The families of linemen have to stand by as their loved ones head out to work on birthdays and holidays. They work long days and nights, sometimes for days at a time.
Lineman are the heart and soul of our electric co-ops. We thank them for their hard work and dedication to community daily.
So, if you see a lineman out and about in the community, tell them how much you appreciate what they do. Reach out this month or anytime. Without linemen, there is no power in our lives.
Now about those high school students I mentioned above.
Last month we held Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi’s 36th Cooperatives Leaders Workshop in Jackson. A group of 82 high school juniors from all over the state gathered to learn leadership skills, meet their elected state lawmakers, and were encouraged to serve their communities through action.
These students, who were sponsored by their local electric cooperatives, represent the future of Mississippi.
We want these students and co-op members to go back to their communities and utilize the leadership skills they learned at the workshop to give back and make a difference.
I believe they will. Both Mississippi and our local communities will be better places as a result.
We hope you enjoy the April issue.
