Operation Round Up

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.