We often talk of the importance the Pioneer Electric Board of Trustees holds for our members. As our governing body, the board makes decisions that impact all members – be it a large industrial operation or the family at the end of the line. It takes work, patience, and understanding to sit in the role of Cooperative Trustee. Over the course of his 39-year career as District 4 representative, Alfred Alexander has been instrumental in helping Pioneer Electric serve its members. September marked his official retirement from the cooperative.

“The main thing is to keep the power on for everyone and keep everyone satisfied,” said Alexander. “It’s quite the job.”

Alexander first heard of the opportunity to serve on the cooperative’s board when the position was recommended to him by a former trustee. Knowing some of the members on the board at the time, he felt the opportunity was a good way to serve his community.

While serving as a cooperative trustee, Alexander has witnessed the power of good leadership and the impact it has on the cooperative.

“You need a good general manager. If you don’t have that, the whole thing falls apart,” said Alexander. “A general manager brings good employees together to accomplish our goal of serving the members and providing them with quality service.”

In his time on the board, Alexander has seen the construction of the current headquarters office in Ulysses, received his Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate from NRECA and been a member of the Pioneer Electric Area Roundup (PEAR) board.

“Through the PEAR program, members have the opportunity to round up their bill to the next dollar each month,” said Alexander. “The funds generated from those who round up their bill is this available to help those in our communities who may have a financial need.”

Alexander believes that over the last 60-70 years, accessible electricity has been one of the greatest benefits to our country and is grateful to have been a part of it.

“Mel Winger, who served on the board with me for many years, once said that the most important job he ever had was bringing electricity to southwest Kansas,” said Alexander. “I couldn’t agree more. Electricity is one of the greatest things people have. You don’t think much about it until something happens and it’s gone.”

Alexander appreciates the time he has had to serve as a cooperative trustee.

“It has been great to be a part of this team and to serve all of the members,” said Alexander. “I have truly been blessed to be on the Board of Trustees.”

Pioneer Electric invites our members to attend the 80th Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at the Grant County Civic Center. An attendance prize and complimentary dinner, catered by Webb’s BBQ, will be available to all members and guests of Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Pioneer Communications.

The annual meeting is held to elect board trustees, give reports covering the previous year, and transact any additional scheduled business that may come before the meeting. At the Annual Meeting, trustees to succeed those whose terms have expired shall be elected by ballot. In addition to the election of trustees, members may also vote on the approval of proposed bylaw changes. Members will receive their annual meeting notice and mail-in ballot in August.

Attending Your Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting will take place on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. Registration will open at 4:30 p.m. and close at the start of the meeting. Members must enter the South Room of the Civic Center through the southeast door (formerly the fair/administration office door) to register. Signs will be posted to guide members to the correct location.

Casting Your Ballot

Each Pioneer Electric member is entitled to one vote for each matter submitted for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please fill out the attached mail-in ballot and return it using the privacy and return envelopes included with this notice. This enables your membership to be represented and also assures the presence of a quorum at the annual meeting. Members who wish to vote in person at the Sept. 3 meeting may do so.

Instructions for casting your mail-in ballot are included on the back of the Annual Meeting notice and can be found here.

Our office must receive mailed ballots no later than August 29, 2024.

Election of Trustees

The annual meeting is held to elect board trustees, give reports covering the previous year and transact any additional scheduled business that may come before the meeting. At the Annual Meeting, trustees to succeed those whose terms have expired shall be elected by ballot.

The nominating committee met on July 10, 2024, and selected individuals to run in each respective district. They are:

District 3
Jeff W. Moyer (incumbent)
Jane Leitheiser (nominee)

District 4
Darcy L. Alexander (nominee)
Kevin Shapland (nominee)

District 8
John L. Jury (incumbent)
David A. Rodriguez (nominee)

Proposal of Bylaw Changes

The Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Inc. Board of Trustees proposes the following changes to the cooperative’s bylaws. Members can vote upon these proposed changes by submitting the mail-in ballot or in person at the Annual Meeting.

A complete summarization of the proposed changes can be found by scanning the QR code below or at www.pioneerelectric.coop.

Proposed bylaw changes overview:
► Including an electronic voting option in addition to in-person and mail-in voting.

► Eliminating the Committee on Nomination process and implementing nominations by petition only.

► Clarifying the process for filling a board seat vacancy for any reason (retirement, resignation, death, moving to a new district) other than removal by members.

A full summary of the proposed bylaw changes can be found here.

Pioneer Electric’s Annual Meeting is just around the corner and with it comes the opportunity for members’ voices to be heard. Pioneer Electric’s members are entitled to vote for each matter listed on their ballot, including the selection of their representation on the Pioneer Electric Board of Trustees. Districts up for election in 2024 are District 3, District 4 and District 8.

Marking Your Ballot

Casting a mail-in ballot is a convenient voting method available to all Pioneer Electric members, but is not required. An in-person ballot will be provided to members who wish to vote in person at the annual meeting.

Members unable to attend the meeting or who would prefer to vote before the event, can mark and return their ballot using the two-envelope system.

The annual meeting notice and mail-in ballot will be mailed to members in August. Members can then mark their ballot and tear along the perforated lines. Note: Be sure to make a selection for each district and follow the included instructions.

Seal and Return Your Ballot

Once the ballot has been marked, place it into the envelope marked Ballot Privacy Envelope and seal. Place the ballot privacy envelope into the return mail envelope, seal and return to Pioneer Electric’s headquarters by mail or drop off no later than Aug. 29, 2024. Remember:

Mail-in ballots must be sealed within both envelopes to be considered valid.

Return envelopes MUST include the member’s name, address and account number. A space is provided on the back of the envelope. Envelopes lacking an account number will not be counted.

Do not include bill payments with your mail-in ballot.

Questions?

Members with questions regarding mail-in balloting are encouraged to contact our office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) by calling 620-356-1211 or stop by 1850 W. Oklahoma Avenue in Ulysses.