Annual Meeting; Director Election
Rio Grande's 79th Annual Meeting, the emPOWER Summit, will be here soon. It takes place on Saturday, October 12. Many employees are already working on details of the meeting, to make your virtual experience celebrating 79 years of cooperation a great 1.
3 years into my official leadership of Rio Grande, and I am more convinced than ever that the Cooperative spirit is alive and well in Co-op Country. Rio Grande’s members come from all ages, backgrounds, and cultural experiences. As members of the Cooperative, we are a very diverse group. Much like America, our diversity provides for different perspectives, skills, and vision. Though diverse, we do share a very important commonality. That is our shared concern for the future of Rio Grande Electric Cooperative (RGEC). It is the glue that binds us, unites us, and makes the Co-op stronger and all the better because of it.
An organization can only be as robust as its leadership. For 79 years, we have been able to take the varied needs of Rio Grande’s membership and come together to achieve a focus that brings maximum value to everyone. It all begins with the board of directors. This is why it is essential that members participate in the director election. The process for becoming a director candidate changed this year so that petitioning for a place on the ballot was required of all candidates, including incumbents.
The petition process requires a minimum of only 15 signatures from fellow members in the district for which a candidate is seeking a seat on the board. We are asked why there are no Co-op directors from this area or that area, and I usually tell them that while there is no shortage of opinions, finding individuals who are ready to take on the responsibilities of representation can be challenging. We value the perspectives of all members and encourage those with a passion for service to consider stepping forward to contribute to the leadership and direction of the Cooperative. Contested elections add vibrancy to the process, and we’re grateful for those who are willing to seek a place on the board and expend the time and energy to become educated directors. Most of Rio Grande’s directors seek additional training, in order to be the best directors they can be for you. So this year, I encourage you to review the candidate profiles which accompany your ballot. These are your fellow members who are willing to represent the membership. In next year’s election cycle, we hope to have much more participation from willing candidates.
The voting process is as easy as possible. You can vote by mail, electronically, or even by text. The election begins September 9, and ends October 9. We encourage you to get involved in the process now and help promote the democratic process of selecting Rio Grande’s leadership. The announcement of election results will take place on Saturday, October 12, during the Annual Meeting.
Rio Grande can only be strong if you are involved. Please be engaged, ask questions, and volunteer or serve when asked. There is a question submission form included within the pages of this magazine, which you can fi ll out and mail or take to any RGEC area office. It is also available in an electronic format you can complete online and return to us automatically. We will answer as many questions during the Annual Meeting as time permits. All others will be answered in an upcoming edition of this magazine. As a reminder, you don’t have to wait for an annual meeting to ask questions. We are here to serve you all year, each and every year.
With active members, a committed board, and a skilled team, RGEC can accomplish great things. We invite you to join the virtual emPOWER Summit detailed in this month’s Update. By attending, you’ll gain insights into the Co-op’s operations, fi nancial status, and community projects, and you could possibly win a prize!