Co-Mo Electric will welcome the organization's member-owners to this year's annual meeting May 25.
Doors for the event officially open at 4 p.m. at the co-op's Operations Center, 448 Richard Blvd., Tipton.
There's nothing quite as unique as an electric cooperative's annual meeting of members. It's all a part of the cooperative difference.
Cooperatives are democratic organizations, controlled by their members, who actively participate in each year's annual meeting by hearing an update on cooperative business and taking part in the election of directors.
This year, the terms of Rick Everhart Sr., Rick Purdon and Craig Allee are expiring. A nine-person nominating committee has compiled a list of candidates for each district.
They are as follows:
District 1: Rick Everhart Sr., Stover, (incumbent) and Charlotte Morrison, Otterville.
District 2: Rick Purdon, Laurie, (incumbent) and Mark Shellenberg, Laurie.
District 3: Craig Allee, California, (incumbent) and David Shaul, Jamestown.
"The annual meeting of members is critical to our organization," said Ken Johnson, the co-op's CEO/general manager. "Employees work hard to host this fun event, and we encourage you to attend and exercise some of the many rights you have as a member of an electric cooperative. We know the food, games and prizes are the best parts of the meeting, but there is so much more to the event."
The 78th annual meeting will include some local favorites. Lutz's BBQ will cater the event. Back by popular demand will be Co-Mo Connect informational courses and bucket truck rides for the kids. The co-op will also host a health fair for attendees, as well as a kids zone.
"Co-Mo Electric isn't owned by far-away investors," Johnson said. "It's not run by an appointed board of directors, rather it is run by the board of directors elected by its member-owners. This is an exciting time of year and everyone here at Co-Mo is looking forward to it."
Like last year, the business meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. The evening meal will cease at 6:15 p.m.
Cooperative members can read the upcoming May edition of the Co-Mo Country for more information. Members should have received, or will be receiving, an official notice in their bills.
Co-Mo's service area comprises approximately 2,300-square-miles in Central Missouri. Co-Mo exists to fulfill its members' needs for superior electric and related services at fair and reasonable prices and support its communities through economic, civic and educational opportunities.