BVGEC - Sep 2021 - Many Reasons to Celebrate!
This month we are busy celebrating and you can join us!
Celebrating our first community-owned solar installation in the Bow Valley!
On September 17, 2021, Jeff Roberts from BVGEC and Rev. Greg Wooley of Ralph Connor Memorial United Church (RCMUC) flipped the switch and energized an 11kW solar photovoltaic system on the roof or RCMUC.
BVGEC intended to celebrate in person; however, in light of the recent Covid-19 situation in Alberta and potential Provincial restrictions we have opted to take our celebration online.
Our volunteers and board committee have been hard at work in the following areas:
The Finance and Administration team has been working with the Membership Committee to align work processes to accept and onboard investors in BVGEC.
The Communications and Promotions team has developed a Marketing and Communications plan which aligns the co-op’s core messaging with our new energy marketing arm which is currently under development.
The communications team has also been working with two interns provided by one of our Member organisations to develop our Instagram platform.
Communications materials for our current investment opportunity are complete and in the process of being circulated.
The Governance team has been involved in negotiations with Utility Net using the resources provided by the Cooperators to develop a passive revenue stream via an energy marketing opportunity. Negotiations are ongoing in this regard, but if successful, they would result in BVGEC pursuing significant additional income through the sale of electricity (including green sourced electricity), natural gas and internet services.
The Membership and Stakeholder Engagement team is managing our Investor engagement process. We currently have 50 Members and 27 Friends. If you know of anyone who might be interested in joining BVGEC as a Friend, Member or Investor, please take a moment to share who we are and what we are doing with them!
The membership team is also on the lookout for volunteers who can spare a few hours each month and can help with any of the following:
Social Media - Creating, managing and posting content for Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Linked In
Communications - Writing this Connect Newsletter and performing website updates
Membership - Entering membership data into Excel
Looking for another way to help? You can also complete our volunteer survey and find a fit for your skills within our upcoming project work.
The Fundraising team is waiting to hear back about several grant funding applications submitted recently. Watch this space for exciting updates!
The Technology and Business Development committee has been pursuing various financing options for installing new generation facilities, and working with the Governance Team and the Board of Directors in investigating the possibility of securing a stream of passive income through the marketing of energy services.
The Energy Marketing team has established a new trading name for our developing energy marketing arm - Welcome to the BVGEC team Rocky Mountain Community Energy! Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote! We are in the process of onboarding a new member and volunteer to help with a few revenue projection scenarios as the missing piece to moving forward with a final decision on this opportunity.
The Project Development committee is awaiting the final system inspection for our first community-funded renewable energy generation installation at Ralph Conner Memorial United Church. The final inspection is scheduled for early October.
Stay connected!
Jeff Roberts
Chairperson, Bow Valley Green Energy Cooperative
October 14, 2021