POWERGRAMS

15 YORK TAKES STATE REINS OF RETIREE VOLUNTEERS IN 2020 Besides her charming Southern drawl and friendly nature, Becky York is known for getting things done. As former Tuscaloosa Rotary Club president Jordan Plaster puts it, York is "a petite fireplug whose personality is bigger than life itself." "Becky is superwoman," Plaster said. He knows firsthand, after eight years of working closely with York, director of Tuscaloosa Rotary Honor Flight. York recently put aside that calling to take the reins of the Energizers retiree organization. She's the first female state president in the group's 25-year history, following leaders such as former company Vice President Sam Booker, John Mills and Bob O'Daniel. On Oct. 25, after 14 years of service, O'Daniel stepped down to become a board member-at-large. York has followed in O'Daniel's footsteps – literally. To get an understanding about the goals of the 11 chapters and to meet the leaders, York throughout 2019 has attended Energizers meetings and the company's corporate luncheons with O'Daniel. "Sometimes we have four chapters that meet on the same day, so it's impossible to go to each one, but by the end of 2019, I will have attended meetings for all of the groups," she said. "I have learned a lot from Bob and admire his dedication to our group." Big plans for new year York's organizational skills will come in handy guiding the 1,500-strong membership. Similar to O'Daniel, York is sociable and works well with others. Moving forward in her newest role, York is working closely with longtime Energizers Coordinator Don Franklin. Saving money is a major focus of chapters in 2020. "Snail mail" is ending: Using Google Groups, each chapter is working with Alabama Power Information Technology to set up its own online group. Members will correspond by email. "We'll cut expenses on postage and get more timely information to people," York said. "If a cause is acceptable, we'll get involved and can get the word out about it so much more quickly on email. "We're doing everything from keeping retirees up to date on benefits, deaths and retirements, to reminding retirees about things to do to be safe in a hurricane, to sending articles from Alabama NewsCenter," York said. Chapter leaders will re-emphasize their focus on offering helpful and interesting programs to attract new members while demonstrating the group is active and energetic. York said the value of a personal connection with people can't be overestimated: The best people to recruit new members are the ones already involved. "This is a very inclusive group," York said. "If your spouse is or was a company retiree, you may also be an Energizer." To ensure the group doesn't grow stagnant, Energizers leaders are reviewing their policies. "We don't want to be complacent," York said. "We've been talking about keeping our organization moving ahead with the times. We know the membership likes to see some fresh ideas come along. "Our programs are one of the best things we offer through Energizers membership, so we're helping make sure that chapters have programs at their meetings," she said. "We're growing and people are coming to the meetings, but we want to continue to grow our membership. I'm working on a list of ideas that we'll share." York wants to show employees who are nearing retirement that Energizers is an important, viable way of staying involved, being active in communities and ENERGIZERS BY DONNA COPE

• Cover