April 2021 | Volume 83 | Issue 4
Co-op Election Voting Guide
Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative is community-led and community-focused, which means the organization is governed by the members it serves.
Although co-op elections are typically held at annual meeting every year, last year a new system was established in light of restrictions due to COVID-19 concerns.
Similar to last year’s process, during the month of May, PCEC consumer-members will be able to vote for Board of Directors candidates and by-law amendments either online or with a mail-in ballot. The process for this remote election process has a number of checks and balances to ensure the privacy of co-op members and the security of election outcomes. The election is administered by an independent, third-party contractor.
Members can find detailed information about the election process by visiting www.PCEC.coop/vote and can revisit the website starting May 6 to officially cast their ballot in this year’s co-op elections.
The goal of this process is to ensure every co-op member has an opportunity to exercise their right to democratic participation despite the inability to host a mass gathering during the pandemic.
This protects a basic principle of the cooperative business model and empowers members with continued local control over their electric cooperative.
Members Voices Heard Through the Co-op’s Annual Election Process
Dave Deihl, General Manager
From the General Manager
One thing that sets electric cooperatives apart from investor owned utilities is the important role consumer-members play in setting the direction of their power provider.
As members and part-owners of the cooperative, every PCEC consumer has the opportunity to make their voice heard through the organization’s annual election process.
This process is used to select consumer-members for the Board of Directors positions and vote on changes to Platte-Clay’s by-laws, which govern the operations of the cooperative.
Any member can choose to put their name in to seek a position on the Board of Directors. Every year, we work to communicate the deadlines for the board election process to our members and encourage anyone interested in running to submit their information.
Keeping this process open and transparent is an important part of adhering to our cooperative principles, including democratic member control. At the direction of the Board of Directors, Team PCEC is committed to that principle and to an open, honest and fair election process – a process which will become even more accessible to members if they choose to pass this year’s by-law amendment. We look forward to your participation in another smooth and successful co-op election this year.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns you can reach me directly via email at GeneralManager@pcec.coop.
What Does The By-Law Amendment Change For The Co-op?
A package of by-law amendments has been proposed by the Board of Directors to eliminate traditional barriers to participating in Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative’s democratic process. As a cooperative, PCEC is led by its consumer-members who vote annually to elect fellow members to the Board.
The packaged amendment would make changes to the following sections of the by-laws: Article III, Section 4; Article III, Section 5; Article III, Section 6; Article IV, Section 2; and Article IV, Section 4.
The amendments would give more flexibility as to how and when PCEC members can vote in the co-op’s elections in an effort to make the democratic process more accessible. The individual changes include:
- Voting can be conducted via electronic and mail-in methods
- Members voting by alternative voting methods can be counted in the annual meeting quorum
- Candidates must give advanced notice of their interest and cannot be nominated through last-second procedures in order to ensure consistency between advanced voting and day-of ballots
These changes were put in place under emergency circumstances last year due to COVID-19 and resulted in record-breaking participation. These changes would enable the cooperative to conduct elections regardless of circumstances beyond the organization’s control such as the limitations brought about by the pandemic.
The amendments will appear on the ballot for this year’s co-op election. To learn more, visit pcec.coop/vote.
Board of Directors Candidates
Dennis Fulk
WEST DISTRICT Director candidate Dennis Fulk is a self-employed farmer. Fulk has served on the Board of Directors since 1993 and has been a member since 1974.
How would your skills, talents or experience help shape your service on the Board of Directors?
I’ve served on a variety of energy industry boards in leadership positions, including the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, N.W. Electric Power Cooperative and the National Rural Cooperative Financial Corporation on the Loan Committee.
What would be a few of your priorities as a member of the Board of Directors?
The main issues I see as important to the cooperative are meeting increasing demands for electricity with environmental friendly sources, while keeping rates affordable. I think it’s also important for the cooperative to continue its focuses on safety. technology, and excellent customer service.
What makes you a good candidate for the Board of Directors?
I believe I am a good candidate to continue serving on the Board of Directors because of my experience dealing with electric co-op issues at local, regional, state and national levels.
Theresa Wren
NORTH DISTRICT Director candidate Theresa Wren is a Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager at Central Bank of the Midwest. Wren has served on the Board of Directors since 2014 and has been a member since 1998.
How would your skills, talents or experience help shape your service on the Board of Directors?
I have a diverse and successful background in operations management, finance and banking management, staff development, customer relationship management and community service projects. These skills allow me to share my knowledge to help our electric co-op face challenges as they present themselves, develop strategies for future endeavors and ensure our members are receiving the best products that are reliable and affordable.
What would be a few of your priorities as a member of the Board of Directors?
1) Safety – making sure best practices are used and appropriate continuing education and equipment are in place.
2) Continue to maintain and upgrade our electric grid to ensure reliability to our members.
3) Provide our members with affordable electricity, relevant services and five star customer service.
4) Staying relevant to members and staff needs while maintaining a strong and financially sound cooperative.
What makes you a good candidate for the Board of Directors?
I am an excellent communicator who can bring a group to consensus. I am strong in financial analysis and know the questions that need to be asked. I excel at developing action plans to address challenges and opportunities. I am good at relationship building and growing strong relationships. I support the success of the cooperative business model.
Kendall Davis
SOUTH DISTRICT Director candidate Kendall Davis is a Welding Instructor at Metropolitan Community College. Davis has served on the Board of Directors since 1991 and has been a member since 1983.
How would your skills, talents or experience help shape your service on the Board of Directors?
I feel that my experience on the Board has been very educational and valuable. The completion of the Credentialed Cooperative Director and Board Leadership programs has given me a valuable understanding of how a cooperative works and how the electric power industry is always evolving. The education programs and my experience have given me an understanding of how decisions impact consumer-members
What would a few of your priorities be as a member of the Board of Directors?
A few priorities that I would like to enhance and maintain in our co-op is recruiting and retaining highly qualifi ed employees and continue being a leader with technology, cybersecurity and energy resources. Maintaining the co-op electrical grid to ensure reliability of service and managing the supply, demand and delivery of energy as safely and affordable as possible in an ever-changing industry is my top priority.
What makes you a good candidate for the Board of Directors?
By owning and operating my welding business and now teaching at a community college, this has given me the opportunity to work within our community for many years. I am excited to have a chance to continue to serve on the Board of Directors to put my experience to use on behalf of the consumer-members.
Jim Stoufer
SOUTH DISTRICT Director candidate Jim Stoufer is a small business owner, mediator and pipefitter at Ford Motor Company. Stoufer has been a member since 2015.
How would your skills, talents or experience help shape your service on the Board of Directors?
I was born at home in Clay County. My dad was a coal miner in Mosby. A small-town boy with a history of service to those I represent. I served on the Northland United Way Board of Directors for 10 years. I have worked at the Ford Plant for 43 years, where I was elected in union leadership for 14 years (including 3 years as President), I spent 23 years elected to the Board of Trustees for Claycomo, almost all serving as the Chairman of the Board. I am a U.S. Army Veteran, I have served on the Ford 20/20 Task Force. I have a small plumbing business and I own Affordable Mediation LLC and I work/volunteer with the Clay County Circuit Court doing mediation for small claims and landlord/tennent disputes.
What would a few of your priorities be as a member of the Board of Directors?
To work with other Board members to provide the best service for the best price to the members of Platte-Clay Electric Co-op. I a firm believer that the Board works for the members and my time on the Board will be dedicated to serving the members needs and listening. I will be available as needed to the members and I believe in a hands-on approach to any problems. We need to continue looking ahead to address issues before they happen and to plan for the future needs of co-op members.
What makes you a good candidate for the Board of Directors?
I have been serving people my entire adult life. I believe that every person should be represented equally and fairly. Each member has a voice. I use common sense and I am a problem solver. I have quite a bit of experience serving on multiple Boards with budgets, planning and working together. I am dedicated and I truly enjoy working and solving problems for those I am entrusted to serve.
Platte-Clay Capital Credits Explained
As a nonprofit electric utility, Platte-Clay only needs to cover the cost of yearly operations and ongoing good business practices. Any money left over and above those costs, or net profit, is collected and allocated back to our members, who own the cooperative. The longer you use the service, the more monetary equity you accumulate. We call this equity allocations, which is the total sum of annual capital (equity) accrued by the member during their prior year or years of service with Platte-Clay. The actual total cash amount is determined by the cooperative Board of Directors. The refund each member receives is usually a percentage of the total allocation amount from a previous year or years of service.
The Northland Connection is published monthly by Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc., 1000 W. 92 Highway, Kearney, MO 64060. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Northland Connection, PO Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060 or mail@pcec.coop.
Platte-Clay is an equal opportunity employer.