ENMR, whose large service area encompasses much of eastern New Mexico and some parts of the western Texas panhandle, rates in the top tier of co-ops based both on membership and area coverage. Like so many cooperatives, ENMR has recognized that too many of its members find the drive to a typical annual meeting a hardship. At several members' urging, Tom Phelps, general manager of ENMR since 1997, decided to get innovative and combat low member participation by implementing some type of remote voting procedure. Cameras, video screens, and audio transmitters are placed in several locations-a primary one and up to 12 remote sites. Using T1 copper and fiber optic cable, voice and video are transmitted to and from all locations simultaneously, and all locations are interconnected to one another at the primary site.
Participants can also hear what is occurring at the primary location at all times.
ENMR's experience with interactive television began in 1990, when the system was implemented to serve as a teaching aid in five rural public high school districts. Today, ENMR's ITV system serves 11 school districts within the ENMR service area, as well as a local community college. Schools in the region have long realized that by using ITV technology, the very best teachers can instruct students at several geographically separated locations simultaneously. Since ITV transmissions are two-way, teachers interact directly with their students, answering questions and providing personalized teaching guidance. This has been particularly beneficial to rural students in ENMR's far-flung service area, permitting many to reap the benefits of higher education without undue hardship and long hours of commuting.