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Dear Member,
Welcome to the FRED 411 newsletter, a
monthly publication generated by the Foundation for
Rural Education and Development (FRED). As a
member of OPASTCO, you are receiving this
information to keep you up-to-date on programs and
services offered by FRED. All OPASTCO members
are
eligible to participate in FRED programs as part of
their membership dues. If you prefer not to receive
this information in the future, you may remove your
address at any time. If you have any questions
about the information listed in the FRED 411,
please click on the links or contact Stephanie Patton,
FRED Program Coordinator, at sap@opastco.org.
| Deadline Extension! |
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The deadline to submit the 2008 Small
Telecommunications Compensation
& Benefits Survey Questionnaire has been extended
to February 22, 2008.
Two versions are available online
, and a hard copy of
the survey was mailed out to all telephone
companies in January.
The lead researcher for this 20th annual survey is Dr.
Robert Mathis of the University of Nebraska at
Omaha. The 2008 Survey will include information on
more than 65 jobs, as well as a number of benefits
areas. Companies participating in the survey pay less
for the reports than companies that do not participate.
Additional details and complete instructions are
contained in each version of the questionnaire.
Also Pre-Order your survey today! An order form is
also available on our website at
www.fred.org/publications.html
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| FRED Taxes Fundraising Campaign to Launch in Late Feb. |
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Later this month FRED will once again be launching
the "FRED Taxes Fundraising Campaign". This
campaign pokes a little fun at Uncle Sam while
raising awareness for FRED programs. The funds
generated from your support will benefit FRED's
scholarship and other programs that support rural
OPASTCO communities.
Watch your mail box for more information.
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| What is Up Next For FRED? |
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FRED's Dinner Cruise on the Saint Lawrence
River
Hosted by: CoBank
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Louis-Joliet Cruise Ship
Prices: $150 adults, $100 children
All aboard the FRED cruise! Experience the beautiful
city of Québec on the majestic Louis-Joliet as it
cruises along the Saint Lawrence River. OPASTCO
convention attendees will have exclusive access to the
vessel for a private dinner and guided cruise. The
spacious Louis-Joliet has three levels for dinning,
plus one large exterior terrace that covers the whole
stern of the ship. Bring your cameras and expect to
see Orleans Island, Montmorency Falls, and Château
Frontenac with the Laurentian Mountains in the
background. This event is for the entire family,
including the children who will enjoy the Kiddy
Corner's games, art projects, and other fun activities.
Dress is casual. Cost for the event includes:
transportation to and from the dock, buffet dinner,
hosted beverages, children's activities, entertainment,
and exclusive admittance to the cruise ship.
Sponsorships are available and tax-deductible.
For a complete list, please contact Melissa
Korzuch at mak@opastco.org. Proceeds benefit
FRED programs.
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| Submit an Ethyl Grant Application Anytime During the Year |
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FRED's Ethyl Grant is now accepting applications on a
rolling basis for both Community Development and
Educational projects. Applications will be reviewed
approximately every three to four months. OPASTCO
Telephone Companies may only submit one
application every six months.
Support your community by applying for an Ethyl
Grant today!
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| 2007 Telergee Survey is Now Available |
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CoBank and FRED are pleased to offer the 2007
TELERGEE Benchmark Survey, which includes 2006
year-end financial data from over 200 rural Incumbent
Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs) nationwide. All
participants in the study are clients of TELERGEE
member CPA firms. Each TELERGEE firm supplies
the financial statements that go into producing the
benchmarks presented in the study. The study
presents four classifications of ILECs:
1. Cooperatives on cost study
2. Cooperatives on average schedule
3. Corporations on cost study
4. Corporations on average schedule
Telergee Survey Order Form
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| Join the 2008 Annual Giving Campaign |
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FRED is gearing up for the start of the 2008 programs,
and encourages all members to contribute to FRED's
Annual Giving Campaign.
The Annual Giving Campaign runs through the end of
March 2008 and benefits the Ethyl Grant or
Scholarship Program. This campaign also allows you
the option to make a donation in honor or memory of
someone special.
The more you give...the more FRED gives back
to OPASTCO Communities.
Take a moment to review the brochure
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FRED's Evening at the Arizona Science Center |
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Hosted by CoBank
Phoenix, Arizona
January 14, 2008
Thanks to the generous support of CoBank, the Grand
Sponsor of FRED's Evening at the Arizona Science
Center, all those who attended and the many other
sponsors, more than $27,000
was raised for FRED programs.
Click Here for Highlights from the Event
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