On June 16, Kankakee Valley REMC’s  largest event — the Member Appreciation Day and Annual Business Meeting  — will take place. We look forward to seeing you there for some family fun, good food and a chance to win some great prizes.   

While much of the event is a lively and fun affair, there will be a brief business meeting during which co-op leaders will discuss priorities, challenges, and the financial health of the coming year. At this time, typically we would announce the election results for board members to represent YOU, the co-op members. Yet, this year will be a little different.

The director election process is done by petition. Members who wish to run for a board seat must obtain signatures of 15 members from their district and attend a mandatory informational meeting. Only members from the districts up for election can run for a board position. This year, Chris Birky and Dean Moretton, who currently serve as district directors, were the only members to petition for election to the board. 

As stated in the cooperative bylaws, Article IV, Section 4, “At the Annual Meeting, each nominated director candidate who is running for election unopposed may be elected upon an approved motion of the membership and shall then be considered elected to the seat for which he/she has been nominated.” Therefore, there will not be a director election during the business meeting. Instead, we will ask for a motion to re-elect Chris Birky and Dean Moretton to the board for three-year terms. In addition, you will not be receiving the voting packet as you have in past years. Information and your event registration card, generally in the voting packet, will be in next month’s Indiana Connection magazine on the back cover.

I encourage you to get to know Chris and Dean. Their biographies are on page 6. Those serving on the board of directors use their talents and perspectives when making big decisions about the co-op and the community. They want to see the community thrive.  This is true of Chris and Dean — as well as the other members of your co-op’s board.

Serving on the board for your electric provider is a unique opportunity and a privilege open to all co-op members. Next year we will be electing a representative from District 4 and one at-large seat. I encourage you to consider getting involved.  Watch for more information about the 2023 election in early January.   

I look forward to seeing you on June 16. 

Note: No election this year, members will not receive a voting packet in the mail.