In one of the most notable inaugural speeches given, President John F. Kennedy spoke his famous words, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” His inspiring words urged Americans to take actions that benefited the greater good. In essence, Kennedy was saying our country thrives when we all contribute our talents to the common good.

On a smaller scale, the same can be said about our co-op, specifically with regard to our board members. Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative’s board members are community-minded individuals with a variety of skill sets. Our board is made up of doctors, farmers, business owners and even a mayor! We rely on their many talents to help us make informed decisions on long-term priorities and investments. We recognize it takes many people with different skills to create a well-rounded board that can represent the full spectrum of our community. But above all else, we’re looking for folks who love our community and want to see it thrive now and in the future.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SERVE ON THE BOARD?

Serving on PPEC’s board means you’re making a difference locally, using your individual talents and perspective to guide big decisions about the co-op that in turn benefit the larger community. While day-today decisions are made by co-op staff, major decisions are made by the board, whose mission is to look out for the vitality of the co-op and the community it serves. On a granular level, PPEC board members typically provide input and guidance on:

• budgets

• co-op goals and direction

• co-op’s community/charitable contributions

• capital investment/upgrades in equipment and technology

• renewable investments and energy mix

• co-op’s role and involvement in economic development

The energy industry is undergoing a major transition. Technology advancements and increased consumer preference for more renewable energy is driving change. PPEC is facing big decisions, and board members have an opportunity to help chart a course for our future. To serve the community best, we need input from a wide range of people who represent the broad spectrum of views within our community.

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

PPEC’s board elections will be held in February 2024, with results announced at our virtual annual meeting in March. Districts 3, 7 and 8 are up for election in 2024:

District 3: Carryall, Crane, Benton, and Harrison townships in Paulding County, Ohio

District 7: Monroe, Palmer, Liberty, and Greensburg townships in Putnam County, Ohio

District 8: Perry, Jackson, Monterey, and Jennings townships in Putnam County, Ohio; Marion Township in Allen County, Ohio

The official petition packet to run for the board will become available on Nov. 17 on our website. You can also request a copy be mailed to you, or pick one up from our office as well. If you get 20 signatures of support from PPEC members in your district and return the official PPEC petition form by Dec. 18, you are eligible to be a candidate for election.

While you don’t need to be an expert in electricity or business to run, you do need to have a passion for the community and a willingness to actively serve and learn. We’re looking for individuals who can represent the full gamut of the members we serve.

Our board meets on the third Thursday of every month, and we offer specialized training opportunities to help board members make informed decisions. Board members gain a deeper understanding of the electric utility industry, the cooperative business model, and local economic development efforts.

Ultimately, our board is the community pulse for the co-op and helps keep us on the right track. We love our community and want to help it thrive.

If you share the same commitment and want to contribute to the greater good in a tangible way, I hope you’ll consider running for a board position.

To learn more about PPEC’s director election process, please visit PPEC.coop or contact our office at 800-686-2357.