As we celebrate National Co-op Month in October, we recognize the unique values of the cooperative structure. On the inside front cover of this month’s issue of Carolina Country, you’ll see the seven cooperative principles that drive what we do, including the second one, “Democratic Member Control.” This principle means our members have a direct say in how the co-op runs. This democratic approach makes our cooperative more responsive and connected to the people we serve. So participate in April of each year by voting in the annual board election.
What It Means to Serve on Our Board
Our board members play an essential role in ensuring that our organization adheres to its principles and effectively serves our members’ best interests. Board members help guide our cooperative. They also stay up-to-date on industry trends and regulations to make smart decisions that benefit our members. What sets electric cooperatives apart from traditional electric utilities is that they are member-controlled and not driven by shareholders. As a not-for-profit co-op, decisions are made with our members’ best interests in mind rather than the bottom line. This approach means our cooperative’s policies and initiatives reflect what our members want and need. Visit pemc.coop/board to learn more about the duties and responsibilities of our board members and view the bylaws.
How to Become a Board Member
We are often asked why our elections are uncontested. The simple answer is that there are not always enough members interested in running for the board. If you’d like to help change that, the first step is to check the qualifications listed in section 4.02 of our bylaws. If you meet the qualifications, email Piedmont.Board@pemc.coop with your name, address and interest in a director position. Doing this will help us verify your membership and qualifications and determine if your district is up for election at the next annual meeting.
Our districts include the following:
• Orange County: Districts 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9
• Alamance County: District 2 and 3
• Caswell County: District 3 and 4
• Person County: District 5, 6, 7 and 8
• Granville County: Districts 6 and 7
• Durham County: District 8 and 9