Co-op 101: Cooperative Trustees

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A cooperative’s success depends on three crucial groups – members, employees and elected trustees. The three must work in partnership to ensure our service territory is powered with safe and reliable access to electricity every day.

As a member of Pioneer Electric’s board of trustees, trustees act as representatives, and the collective voice, for the cooperative’s nine districts. Cooperative trustees are tasked with managing the business aspects of the cooperative. We rely on their talents to make informed decisions regarding the cooperative. It is a responsibility that requires providing input and guidance on budgets, infrastructure, economic development and the co-op’s goals and direction.

Cooperative trustees are members elected to serve by their fellow members and must meet the requirements outlined in Pioneer Electric’s bylaws. To serve as a member of the board of trustees, candidates are expected to:

  • Be willing to promote and safeguard the interests of the Cooperative among the members and the general public.
  • Shall represent the membership on an impartial basis for the good of and in the best interest of the entire Cooperative.
  • Support all decisions and actions made or taken by the majority of the Board.
  • Review and study the information contained in reports submitted to the Board.
  • Oversee the Policy and Bylaws of the Cooperative.
  • Objectively evaluate and consider the challenges and opportunities facing the Cooperative and work with the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Staff to develop appropriate strategic direction.
  • Maintain an awareness of the attitudes of the members and general public toward the Cooperative.
  • Serve as an ambassador for the Cooperative’s viewpoints, objectives, programs, and services.
  • Is encouraged to, as personal schedule permits, attend Board-approved national, regional, state and local industry-related meetings and training to better understand issues challenging Cooperative and overall electric industry, etc.;
  • Provide full commitment to carrying out the responsibilities of the office of Trustee and agree to serve the term of office for which elected until a successor has been appointed or elected.
  • Not use the position as Trustee to further political ambitions.

The 2022 board of trustee elections will take place during Pioneer Electric’s 78th annual meeting on Thursday, Sept. 15. Members are encouraged to cast their vote for board representation at the annual meeting or in advance through a mail-in ballot. Members with questions may call 620-356-1211 during regular business hours.

 

 

Pioneer Electric’s Annual Meeting is September 15

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The count down to the 78th annual meeting is on! Pioneer Electric Members are invited to join us at the Grant County Civic Center on Thursday, September 15.
Registration for the annual meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the South Room. Members will need to enter the South Room through the former Civic Center Office door, signage will be in place to direct members to the entry. Members that did not submit a mail-in ballot will need to register to vote at the meeting. Members who have already voted by submitting a mail-in ballot are asked to register in order to receive their annual report and attendance gift. Once registered, members will be able to go through the meal line and find a seat inside the auditorium. The business portion of the meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Trustee Elections

Each year, members are appointed to serve on the Committee on Nominations. This committee, acting as the members’ voice, is tasked with selecting candidates who would make qualified trustees. Those nominated to the ballot must reside in the district they wish to serve and meet the qualifications outlined in the Cooperative’s bylaws.
Candidates selected by the Committee on Nominations are placed on the trustee ballot for election at the Cooperative’s Annual Meeting. The 2022 committee on nominations met on July 13 at Pioneer Electric’s headquarters and selected the following nominees for this year’s election:

DISTRICT 5
Fred Claassen (incumbent)
David C. Light (nominee)

DISTRICT 6
James N. Bell (incumbent)
Michael O. McCulley (nominee)

DISTRICT 9
Charles E. Milburn (incumbent)
Donald W. Beesley (nominee)

Casting Your Vote

Each member is entitled to one vote on each matter presented on the annual meeting ballot. Pioneer Electric members may cast their ballot one of two ways:

  • Vote by mail.
  • Vote in person at the annual meeting.

Members who opt to submit a mail-in ballot will not be permitted to vote in person at the annual meeting, but are still encouraged to attend.

Vote By Mail

Members received a mail-in ballot attached to their annual meeting notice in August. Votes cast by mail must be returned to Pioneer Electric’s office properly sealed, no later than Sept. 10 to be considered valid. Instructions on returning your mail-in ballot are included with the annual meeting notice.
COMMERCIAL MEMBERS MUST BE SURE TO INCLUDE A SIGNED RESOLUTION (ATTACHED TO NOTICE) INSIDE THEIR PRIVACY ENVELOPE WITH THEIR BALLOT.

Vote At the Annual Meeting

In-person voting will be available upon registering at the annual meeting on Sept. 15. A marked ballot box will be open for members to place their ballots in once they have finished voting.

Member Notice Regarding Automated and SmartHub Payment Methods

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Pioneer Electric encourages members making payments through its automated payment phone number or SmartHub application to review their saved payment methods before utilizing them. Pioneer Electric’s payment platform received a general software update. This update has caused some members to experience issues with the system pulling payment information from old or expired payment methods, leading to disconnections.

Members should ensure their accounts include their most up-to-date method of payment and delete any expired payment methods. Additionally, members who have utilized these payment methods should consider confirming their payment has been processed successfully.

Again, the malfunction is due to a platform update. All information pertaining to members and their accounts is secure.

Questions and account information may be addressed by speaking with a member of our customer service team. Please call 620-356-1211 during regular business hours (M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)