Three Positions Open on WVEC Board of Directors

The Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative 77th Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the Milbank High School Gym. Three members will be elected to the board of directors. All three will serve three-year terms. Candidate petitions must have at least six (6) member signatures, and be returned to the Whetstone office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 12.

Districts with open seats:
District 3: Spring Grove, Summit, Springdale, Garfield, Alto, and Ortley
District 4: Geneseo and Lockwood
District 6: Big Stone and Melrose
(Directors currently serving these districts are eligible for re-election: District 3, Darren Strasser; District 4, Tom Berens; and District 6, Scott Niedert.)

Board members represent the co-op in a variety of ways. A director has the opportunity to demonstrate leadership qualities and learn about the cooperative business environment and the electrical industry. A director earns the satisfaction of knowing they are a significant part of the development of Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative.
The board reviews financial reports, work plans, and financial audits. They approve budgets and capital expenditures. It is also their job to evaluate the cooperative’s operations and develop long-term plans to assure its financial and operational stability.

Important responsibilities include:
· Abide by and uphold the bylaws of the cooperative.
· Act as a trustee for WVEC assets.
· Aid in formulating, approving, and reviewing policies to provide guidelines for the cooperative.
· Respond to members’ concerns and questions, be available to members, and exhibit a genuine spirit of helpfulness.

Directors also represent the cooperative at meetings of the East River Electric Power Cooperative and the South Dakota Rural Electric Association. Directors attend educational seminars and serve on associated cooperative boards. At times, directors are requested to lobby and must remain informed on pertinent legislative issues. Some reading and studying is required to keep informed of current issues and how they potentially affect the co-op.

Directors must plan to commit about 30 days per year for cooperative-related activities. Board meetings are regularly held the third Thursday of each month at 8:00 a.m. Directors receive per diem compensation and reimbursement for personal expenses.

Interested in learning more about what it means to be director? Contact a board member or General Manager, Dave Page. Interested in becoming a candidate for the WVEC Board of Directors? Contact the WVEC office at 605-432-5331 or stop by the headquarters to pick up a petition.