I wanted to take a moment to explain the benefits of our Annual Meeting and why it’s important to our members and the cooperative.

Marshall County REMC’s 85th Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 2. This year’s meeting will be presented as a pre-recorded virtual meeting posted online for members to view at their convenience. Voting will open on Monday, Feb. 26 at 7 a.m. EST and close on Monday, March 25 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Votes can be cast online or by mail-in ballot.

Annual Meetings are part of the foundation of electric cooperatives and their guiding principles, which include democratic member control. Cooperatives are democratic organizations managed by their members who actively participate in setting policies and decision-making. Representatives (directors/trustees) are elected among the members and are accountable to them. Directors are elected to serve three-year terms on a seven-member board and are responsible for setting policies and helping guide the co-op’s direction.

Whether a member chooses to run for a seat on the board or vote for a member on the ballot, each member’s voice is important. In electric cooperatives, members have equal voting rights, meaning one member, one vote. This process provides a platform for members to actively participate in shaping the cooperative’s future and establish strong leadership while showcasing accountability and transparency.

The cooperative’s financial condition is also explained at the Annual Meeting. Financial transparency is a priority, and we ensure that members are provided with clear and concise financial reporting.

Although it may sound like the Annual meeting is all business, it’s also a time to celebrate you, our members. When you vote, you will be automatically entered into a prize drawing for a chance to win a $50, $150 or $500 REMC bill credit. The drawing will take place on the same day as the Annual Meeting.

Now that you have a better understanding of what an Annual Meeting is and why it’s important, I hope that you will plan on voting in the election and take a few minutes to watch the Annual Meeting once it’s posted online on April 2.