This year’s Kankakee Valley REMC Member Appreciation Day & Annual Business Meeting saw over 550 registered members gather for an evening of fun and reconnecting with their friends and neighbors.
Annual Meetings are a time-honored tradition among cooperatives. They allow us to meet our members, celebrate our successes, and discuss plans for the future. You are not just a participant but an owner, so sharing this information is vital.
This year’s event featured many activities, including a single elimination cornhole tournament and bingo, while the youngsters enjoyed a magic and game show, face painting, and balloon twists. Attendees also enjoyed a pork chop dinner from Birky’s Catering, followed by treats from four dessert trucks offering fried Oreos, funnel cakes, ice cream, Kona Ice, and cupcakes.
Prior to the event, members could vote online for the board of directors’ election. In-person voting was also available at the event. The evening concluded with a brief business meeting, during which the leadership team provided updates, awarded the Junior Board of Directors scholarships, announced election results, and distributed prizes. Bill Bohling (District 3), Katrina Harper (District 5), and David Janney (At-large) were re-elected for three-year terms.
Board President Mike Yankauskas briefly addressed the members, updating them on the fiber project and the importance of engaging with local legislators. He also announced the return of $2.2 million in capital credits to those who were members between 1981 and 1986. Then, it was my turn to discuss the key issues raised at last year’s district meetings, including broadband access, electric reliability, and affordability. Additional discussion occurred regarding the transition to a time-of-use rate for all members, effective in March 2025. While change can often be scary, this rate will allow all members to manage their energy costs by using power during off-peak times. We will continue to discuss this and provide education in the coming months.
Thank you to everyone who attended. Your voice matters in the cooperative and we encourage you to continue to stay involved in future events.
