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August, 2016Volume 14, Issue 8Your Electrical ConnectionInside this issue:My Summer InternshipRoger’s World2Wellness Day2Safety—The Measure ofSuccess3Miss D 5K Run/Walk3Wellness Breakfast4Jimmy’s Walk Lunch Celebration4NPS Open House5Wellness Corner6Wellness CornerContinued7Upcoming Events7September Anniversariesand Birthdays7Safety Stats:Number of Days Since Last.First Aid49Recordable110Lost Time110Numbers based on August16, 2016, includes plant andcontractors.Michael GillespieAs my internship comes to an end, I am going to reflect my safety experience here at NPS. Thisinternship has completely altered my view about safety. Before this internship, I knew safetywas important; but, I didn’t know how important it was until I came here. On my first day, I wasrequired to watch a safety video and pass the safety test in order to start employment. The video made me realize that betraying safety regulations can not only put me in danger but also toother employees. It is very crucial that we continue to practice safety because there are othersthat are deeply concerned about our health at and outside work. While I was here I also had theopportunity to join in on weekly safety meetings. The meetings made me aware of safety precautions and work hazards. Each week I learned something new about a certain safety topic.For example, one week we discussed the updated emergency safety shower and eyewash procedure. During this particular week, I learned how important it is to know your dangers, protections, and treatments of eye injuries. These safety meetings will provide me with moreknowledge about safety that I can stress to my peers I will encounter in the future. This internship not only taught me to care about my own safety, but to care about other’s safety.I greatly appreciate the time, effort, and unforgettable memories everyone has given to me. Ihate hearing about the future outlook of Newton as much as everyone else does. I found it veryremarkable how everyone kept their composure while working here during the summer. All ofyou set a very good example to me in case I run into something similar in the future.I really enjoyed being part of the team this summer and I wish nothing but the best of luck toeveryone in their future.

Your Electrical ConnectionVolume 14, Issue 8Page 2Roger’s World.Roger BassI recently underwent some minor surgery. This is the firsttime I have had general anesthesia, so it was a new experience for me. After being prepped by the nurses, I wasvisited by the anesthesiologist, the anesthesiologist’s assistant, the doctor’s assistant, and the doctor’s nurse. As Iwas waiting to be taken to the operating room, I musthave looked nervous. The nurse asked me if I would likesomething to take the edge off. As is the normal in“Rogers World”, I find that a Jack and Coke or a couple ofbeers usually takes the edge off, but that’s probably notan option in this case.At this point, they wheeled me to the operating room.Once I was on the table, the preparations begin. Againbeing in “Rogers World”, my mind is wandering. I thinkback to my younger days. I can remember going to concerts. I picture the assistants as “roadies”. Back in theday, they were the ones that set the stage for the band.The operating room seems like a stage. One of the nursesis preparing the utensils to be used during the performance. The anesthesiologist’s assistant is setting up theIV stand and making sure the anesthesiologist’s equipment is all in place. Kind of like the roadie setting up thedrums. Everything is adjusted and put in the proper placefor the drummer, so it is ready to go when the show begins.After a few minutes, one of the assistants tells me thatthat the doctor has arrived and the surgery is about tobegin. There again, it sounds like being at a concert whenthe announcer tells the crowd that Elvis has entered thebuilding.Back in the early 70’s, I went to a Led Zeppelin concert. Iwas lucky enough to have third row seats in front of thestage. After the roadies had the equipment ready, LedZeppelin comes out on stage to start the concert. That iswhen things started getting fuzzy, although that fuzzy wasprobably from the contact high from the surrounding audience and not any form of anesthesia.Going back forward to my surgery, I don’t remember anything during the surgery. The next thing I know is I amwaking up in the recovery room and the surgery is complete.Just like the time I went to see Mountain in concert. Iremember going to the concert. I remember them comingon stage. I even remember them playing “MississippiQueen” and “Nantucket Sleighride”. But after that, thenight was pretty much a blank.In comparing going to surgery a couple of weeks ago andgoing to concerts when I was young, there is one big difference. It’s been a little over two weeks since my surgeryand I still haven’t totally recovered. In my younger days, Iwould be 100% the next day and ready to do it again.That’s the thing about getting old, the mind wants to beready, but the body tells you no.Till next time, please be safe.The 2016 NPS Wellness Day will be held on September 22 from 7:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. in the EDC Assembly Room. There willbe new and old booths alike represented at this year’s event. Your very own Wellness Committee will be providing informationon the wellness physicals as well as handing out portable chargers. There will be a drawing for a 50.00 gift card and freshfruit salad will be available. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this year’s Wellness Day.Hope to see you there!Jenny

Your Electrical ConnectionVolume 14, Issue 8Page 3Safety—The Measure of Success.Kent SchaferAs employees, how many times have we heard the safetyslogans:No job will be done unless it can be done safely.Safety is job #1.Safety is our #1 priority.The goal is for each of you to go home in the same orbetter condition than you came to work today.Safety over production.(Blank provided for your favoriteor least favorite slogan)What do these slogans mean to you? What are your feelingswhen you hear them? Do you internalize any part of thesemessages? Do they feel any different coming from the CEOcompared to your supervisor or co-worker? Do you feel differently hearing these slogans when we are,say .discussing unit shutdowns or layoffs?The last slogan I will give you and the title of this article is“Safety – The Measure of Success”. As we go through ourcurrent reality, does anyone believe or agree with this. As Ireflect a bit, I would suggest that maybe we should. I may bebiased, but over the years employees at Newton Stationhave done a lot of things really well. Most things that wecould influence and control have been performed definitelyabove the average. And, as we think of the many things thatwe have done well over the years to operate this plant at ahigh level, we see a unit being shut down before our eyes. Itmakes it difficult to relate all of those accomplishments withsuccess.Miss D 5K Run/Walk.Julie MatsonNewton Power Station is once again helping sponsor the 6thAnnual Miss D 5K run/walk. The run/walk will be held onSaturday, September 10. Registration is at 6am (in frontof PS Realty on the square in Newton) and race starts at7am. You can pre-register by September 3rd for 20(includes t-shirt). Cost is 25 after September 3rd. Moneyraised from the walk goes to help fund local scholarshipsgiven out in the spring. If you have questions or need a registration form, please see Julie.When we think about why we do all of this, it is generally forour families and loved ones and providing for them. We usually equate “providing” with monetary support. However, Iwould argue that the most valuable thing you can provide isyourself and just being there. You are all talented people andwill always be able to “provide” for your families as long asyou are healthy and can just be there. So please don’t everdo anything to compromise that.So as we know, the slogans are just words. Some mighteven call them “management speak”. They provide no valueunless you can identify with them, personalize them, internalize them, and live them at some level. I am not askingyou to join Kent’s safety cult, but I am asking you to considerletting safety in as one of your core values. The beauty of itis that it is truly within your influence and control. It is the oneway you can ensure that you will be there for your lovedones, which is your ultimate success.

Your Electrical ConnectionVolume 14, Issue 8Page 4Wellness Breakfast.Twyla HarveyOn July 28, a Wellness Breakfast was held to promote getting a Wellness Physical.In order to encourage employees and family members to take this opportunity to do something good for their health, Dynegy isoffering a 50.00 gift card to all employees who take the time to do this for their health and their family.All you have to do is come to the office and pick up a form and take it with you to your physical appointment and have yourhealth care provider sign and date it. Next, bring it to the office and one of us girls will fax it to the Houston Office and at theend of the year gift cards will be sent out. If you have already had your physical this year, pick up a form and take it to yourhealth care provider to sign and back date and we will fax that in.You are doing something good for yourself and your family and get a reward just for doing that.Jimmy’s Walk Lunch Celebration.Twyla HarveyA delicious lunch was enjoyed on August 9, to celebrate 100% plant participation in our Final Walk For Jimmy Taylor.April 27, we raised 5,080.00 to help with college expenses for Jimmy’s son, Alan, who is starting at SIUE this month.It was a memorable, emotional day that touched the Taylor family as well as us employees at Newton.All shifts that were not able to attend the luncheon on the 9th should plan to have a lunch at their convenience.Once again, thank you—it was an amazing event!