Are You Ready to Serve on the Board of Directors?
By Debi Wilson
In one of the most notable inaugural speeches given, John F. Kennedy spoke his famous words, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” His inspiring words urged Americans to take actions that benefited the greater good. In essence, Kennedy was saying our country thrives when we all contribute our talents to the common good.
On a smaller scale, I think the same can be said about our co-op, specifically with regard to our board members. Lane Electric’s board members are community-minded individuals with a variety of skill sets. Our board is made up of educators, lawyers, veterinarians, businesspeople, retirees and more. We rely on their many talents to help us make informed decisions on long-term priorities and investments. Our directors live right here in the co-op’s service area, and we consider them the eyes and ears of the community because they provide their perspective on important community issues.
We recognize it takes many people with different skills to create a well-rounded board that can represent the full spectrum of our community. That’s why when we’re seeking new directors, we want folks with diverse perspectives, experience, expertise and views. We’re seeking local members of our community who can apply their unique talents to benefit all our friends and neighbors. But above all else, we’re looking for folks who love our community and want to see it thrive now and in the future.
What does it mean to serve on the board?
Serving on Lane Electric’s board means you’re making a difference locally, using your individual talents and perspective to guide big decisions about the co-op that in turn benefit the larger community. While day-to-day decisions are made by co-op staff, major decisions are made by the board, whose mission is to look out for the vitality of the co-op and the community it serves. On a granular level, Lane Electric board members also review budgets, business goals, charitable contributions, capital investments, economic development and more. They keep our members’ best interest in mind when making decisions. Our upcoming priority topics include:
- Long-term contracting with BPA, our primary power supplier
- Electric supply resourcing
- Protecting our hydro-electric system
- Wildfire mitigation
The energy industry is undergoing a major transition. Technology advancements and increased consumer preference for more renewable energy is driving change. Lane Electric is facing big decisions, and board members have an opportunity to help chart a course for our future. To serve the community best, we need input from a wide range of people that represent the broad spectrum of views within our community.
Opportunity to serve
Lane Electric’s board elections will be held in May. The term of office for one director in the Central District and one director in the Row River District will expire May 19, 2022. The incumbent director for the Central District is seeking re-election and the Row River seat is vacant. The Nominating Committee is accepting applications through March 3, 2022 from qualifying members who would like to run for those seats. The committee will develop a strong slate of candidates that will be presented to the members for May’s election.
While you don’t need to be an expert in electricity or business to run, you do need to have a passion for the community and a willingness to actively serve and learn. We’re looking for individuals who can represent the full gamut of the members we serve. Our board meets on a regular basis, and we offer specialized training opportunities to help board members make informed decisions. Board members gain a deeper understanding of the electric utility industry, the cooperative business model and local economic development efforts.
Ultimately, our board is the community pulse for the co-op and helps keep us on the right track. We love our community and want to help it thrive. If you share the same commitment and want to contribute to the greater good in a tangible way, I hope you’ll consider running for a board position.
To learn more about Lane Electric’s director election process and 2022 details, please visit: laneelectric.com/about/board-information/districts-directors/applications/
