What you’re missing at the annual meeting

Did you know every cooperative is required to conduct an annual meeting of the membership?

The purpose is to hold the election for the board of directors, share important financial information, occasionally vote on other matters such as bylaw changes, and, of course, award great door prizes!

Darke Rural Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting is a community gathering where neighbors can meet

Ted Holsapple GENERAL MANAGER/CEO

new neighbors and catch up with old acquaintances. As our lives get busier with the “errands of life” and more of our interactions with others are online (often via social media), I believe we must renew the value of face-to-face human connections. Very few organizations are as well positioned as Darke REC to bring together all members of our local communities.

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Darke Rural Electric Cooperative Local Pages

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Darke REC hosted its 86th annual meeting on March 16, 2023, at Romer’s Catering in Greenville. The meeting reflected not only our mission of providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric power, but also reinforced our commitment to improving the quality of life for all members, which is at the core of what we do every day. Members participated in a free health screening provided by Wayne Health Care, enjoyed a wonderful meal, and were given insight into the cooperative’s operations during our business meeting.

Brad Flora, chief financial officer, reported Darke REC had record revenues of $17.5 million in 2022. Flora explained the growth resulted from two factors: increased usage from the membership and a mid-year 5% rate increase. The increase was necessary to help offset rising costs across the board, Flora said, and the amount was half of the national average rate increase.

Marisa Stith, program administrator for government affairs at Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, presented the name change of the national political action committee representing electric cooperatives from ACRE to

America’s Electric Cooperative PAC. AEC PAC is your voice in Washington on energy issues and policies.

I spoke on strategic planning for 2023, 2024, and into 2025. I discussed the plan to add a substation in northwestern Preble County, strengthening reliability in that area. I also touched on Darke REC’s rates, which are 8% below the cooperative average in Ohio.

Darke REC’s meeting wrapped up with the results of the board of trustees election for districts 4 and 7. Michele Marker (District 4) and Matt Webster (District 7) were reelected to their districts. Congratulations to both!

We get out of life what we put into it. Darke REC is connected to you by more than just power lines. We are your neighbors. If you have not attended the annual meeting in the past or if it has been a few years, we urge you to take the time to be with your fellow co-op members. The next Annual Meeting of Members will take place on March 14, 2024, at Romer’s Catering in Greenville. Members are welcome to bring a guest to enjoy a delicious meal, listen to a quick business meeting, and win door prizes, all at no cost to you.