On June 5, Orange County REMC welcomed members and their families to our 89th Annual Meeting, a tradition that continues to highlight the strength of our cooperative. This year’s theme, “A Look Back, a Leap Forward,” reflected both our history and our commitment to serving members well into the future.

As an electric cooperative, Orange County REMC operates under a unique business model. Unlike investor-owned utilities, we are owned by the people we serve. Every member who receives electric service from Orange County REMC is also an owner of the cooperative. That makes the Annual Meeting especially important, it’s your meeting. It provides an opportunity for members to receive cooperative updates, hear financial reports, participate in director elections, and celebrate another successful year together.

As usual this event drew a large crowd with 425 members registered and a total attendance of 731 people. Members enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Sanders Catering while musical entertainment was provided by Lindsey Kalb.

There was plenty of fun for younger members as well. Children enjoyed a petting zoo featuring a camel, wallaby, python, and other animals, along with a giant inflatable slide, snacks, coloring activities, and temporary tattoos. Our student board of directors played an active role in the event by helping with the temporary tattoo station and interacting with the kids throughout the evening.

During the business portion of the meeting, members received important updates about the cooperative and participated in a director election. Kyle Livingston was elected to the board of directors following the decision of Ben Lindsey not to seek reelection. We thank Ben for his service and dedication to Orange County REMC and congratulate Kyle as he begins his new role.

The evening concluded with our popular prize drawing. Members had the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, including a total of $9,600 in cash giveaways. Congratulations to Janet Ashburn who was selected as this year’s grand prize winner.

Thank you to all the members who attended and helped make this year’s Annual Meeting a success. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Orange County REMC staff, directors, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to organize the event. Hosting the Annual Meeting is no small task, and their dedication made for an enjoyable and memorable evening for all.

As we reflect on nearly nine decades of service, we are grateful for the members who make our cooperative strong. Together, we can honor our past, celebrate our present, and continue taking bold leaps forward into the future.