Do you enjoy learning new things and sharing your insight with others? Are you the go-to person when friends and family need advice? Thinking larger, do you care about your neighbors and the community you share? What if you could be part of something bigger that makes a real difference? 

If you answered yes to these questions, think about doing something you may have never considered: becoming one of the directors of Kankakee Valley REMC. Our board of directors includes seven member-consumers elected by all voting members as part of the Annual Meeting. This year, directors will be elected from Districts 1 and 2, representing our Porter and Lake County members.

Cooperatives like Kankakee Valley REMC exist to serve their members, and our board represents you in overseeing the co-op’s operations. We don’t handle the day-to-day operations — that’s the job of our CEO and his staff. Our role is to ensure Kankakee Valley REMC serves your needs as responsively and efficiently as possible so you receive the most reliable service at the lowest possible rate.

The electric power industry is complicated and involves more complex regulations than most other industries. Many of the factors that affect our co-op are outside of our control. It’s the directors’ job to determine how best to handle the things we can control.
We create expectations for the CEO through budgeting and policy management, which he and the staff carry out. 

Being a director requires commitment but isn’t a full-time job. We meet monthly for two to three hours, plus time for preparation. We also attend a few state and national meetings each year to stay updated on the electric industry. Newly elected directors are expected to earn a Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) certificate from NRECA, which involves five full days of courses within their first two years.

Directors don’t need to be energy experts. Since 2016, I’ve been proud to serve on a board of lifelong learners who collaborate and plan for Kankakee Valley REMC’s future. While tough decisions are sometimes necessary, we make them together, backed by information and with input from diverse perspectives.

If you’re interested, visit kvremc.com, click on the “About Us” tab, then select “Board of Directors” and finally “Board Elections.” There, you’ll find the Directorship Packet available for download. 

If you have questions, please contact me, any director, or our CEO. We’re looking for great candidates and are happy to help.