POWERGRAMS

30 he joined the club in 1973 as a newlywed, the economy was in the midst of a downturn. "I started with a $300 investment and put in $20 a month. Every month, our club was worth less than the month before," he said. "But you're not playing with the grocery money. It has to be money that you can set aside and invest. Over time, our value has grown, and I've paid off my house and built a lake house." The club operates based on guiding principles and procedures set by the National Association of Investment Clubs. Using those guidelines, the partners work to diversify their portfolio with stocks from companies of all sizes. It reinvests dividends and capital gains, and buys stocks of companies with sales and earnings growing faster than the industry at large. The club has a three-fold purpose, Stowe said. "We help educate people on how to evaluate stocks and invest over the long term," he said. "You can also make some money if you invest regularly, and you make friends." Before the pandemic, the club met every fourth Tuesday of the month at the Alabama Power Employees Credit Union in downtown Birmingham. But because the raging virus forced the downtown office lobby to close, the partners have temporarily moved their meetings to the credit union office on State Route 119. During the meetings, they analyze and discuss stocks that promise to deliver the best results, and vote on which ones to buy or sell, Stowe said. Those eligible to join the club include Alabama Power, Southern Company and credit union employees and retirees in the Birmingham area, along with their family members. To get started, members must make an initial $300 investment and follow up with a minimum of $10 a month. "Partners purchase 'units' each month with their dues," Stowe said. "Currently the partners own 2,392.8 units and each unit is valued at approximately $1,206.50. The more units the partners own, the more votes they each have when we make decisions about buying and selling stocks." Having many retiree members, the club is looking for some "young blood" to learn the ropes of investing and to help take the reins. "Most people depend on a financial adviser to make their investments and have no participation in the process of buying and selling stocks," said Nick Santoro, club president and retired manager of Southern Company Pooled Inventory Management. "Our club gives you the opportunity to take part in the process of how your money is being spent. It's a great experience even if you don't invest a lot of money. You learn a lot, it's exciting and it's fun." Kirk urges employees and retirees to consider joining. The beauty, he said, is that they don't need a huge amount of money to begin investing. "Just do it and you won't really miss the money," he said. "It's amazing to look at the numbers that have been invested by these guys, and how much they are worth now. It just shows you the value of steady, long- term, every month without missing a beat, investing." For more information or to join the club, contact Santoro at 205-902-4485 or njsantor@yahoo.com. The Power Investors have met online during the pandemic. PHOTOS BY PHIL FREE

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