By Amanda Mills
One of my favorite parts of working in communications is getting to tell stories.
Some days, that means writing about a community event. Other days, it's explaining why the power went out, introducing a new service, or celebrating an employee milestone. Every article, social media post, and newsletter has one thing in common: it tells a story.
I guess that's what communicators do. We look for the story behind the headlines.
Over the years, though, I've realized that some of the best stories never make it onto our pages because they don't belong to us. They belong to you.
In my role, I've had the privilege of hearing countless stories from our members. Some are funny. Some are heartwarming. Some are about a lineman who stopped to help change a flat tire. Others are about a DE Fastlink technician who took a few extra minutes to answer questions, or a member service representative who made a difficult situation just a little easier.
Sometimes it's a memory that stretches back decades. A member remembers when electricity first came to their family's home or recalls a Dixie Electric employee who left a lasting impression.
Those are the stories I wish more people could hear.
Our employees work hard every day, but the impact of what they do is often measured in ways that don't appear on an outage map or in a monthly report. It's found in the lives they touch, the relationships they build, and the moments that matter to the people we serve.
As communicators, we spend a lot of time telling our story. But I think we've been missing an important piece of the puzzle.
I'd love to start telling yours.
If you've had an experience with Dixie Electric or DE Fastlink that has stayed with you—whether it's an employee who went above and beyond, a moment that reminded you what it means to be part of a cooperative, or a story that illustrates how electric service or high-speed internet has made a difference in your life—I hope you'll share it with me.
Not every story has to be dramatic. In fact, the most meaningful ones rarely are. Sometimes it's the quiet moments that leave the biggest impression.
If you have a story you'd be willing to share, I'd love to hear it. You can email me at amandamills@dixieepa.com. While I can't promise we'll be able to feature every submission, I can promise I'll read every one.
After all, every member has a story. And some of the very best ones are still waiting to be told.