On July 4 we celebrated our nation’s independence. In the midst of apple pies and hot dogs, fireworks shows and parades, I can’t help but think about the independent streak that inspired groups of farmers around America’s countryside to band together and improve their quality of life.
Aside from President Franklin Roosevelt’s promise of federal aid in the form of low-interest loans and engineering expertise, rural Americans didn’t have much help in bringing electricity to their homes. They pulled themselves up by their proverbial bootstraps and did it themselves.
This independence not only tends to inspire cooperatives; it’s a guiding principle. The Fourth Cooperative Principle, “Autonomy and Independence,” means that no matter what contracts and alliances York Electric Cooperative might enter into, we will always remain an independent entity.
Each year, York Electric’s Annual Meeting of Members becomes an independence celebration. You hear reports from the co-op’s leadership and, in short order, we take care of co-op business. We all enjoy that All-American favorite, hot dogs, and have some fun. I would like to take this time to thank those of you who attended this year’s Annual Meeting. We had 3,038 members join us at the meeting. That’s co-op spirit for you.
Electric cooperatives form a vast network across the country, from coast to coast. Co-op lines are strung in 47 states, serving 42 million people—a different world from 1935, when much of America remained dark.
This Fourth of July, as we recognize the hard-fought war that created the United States, I’ll also tip my hat to York Electric’s founders, who beat incredible odds to make life better for themselves and their neighbors.
We look forward to seeing you again next year at our 73rd Annual Meeting when we’ll celebrate our co-op’s autonomy and independence all over again.
Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer
Annual Meeting FAQ (16)
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
Yes, drive-thru registration is available from 8:30 A.M. until noon. Members who register through the drive-thru will receive the $15 power bill credit and will be entered into a single drawing for a $500 Electric Bill Credit but are not eligible for the door and grand prize drawings. The drawing will be held after the business meeting and the winner will be notified by phone on Tuesday, May 14. See the map to locate the drive-thru. Members MUST bring a valid photo ID to register. Also, please bring your registration postcard.
ONLY members NOT planning to participate in any of the Annual Meeting festivities, including food purchases, children’s activities, overall entertainment, and business meeting, should plan to utilize the drive-thru registration. Also, parking will not be an option for those who register at the drive-thru.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
All prizes will be given away directly after the business meeting. The approximate time is 12:45 p.m. Members do not have to be present to win the first half of the door prize drawings, but MUST be present in order to win the second half and grand prize drawings. Members who register in the Drive-Thru are not eligible for the door and grand prize drawings.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
A total of 8,000 hot dogs will be prepared. YEC encourages members to purchase hot dogs early. Your cooperative plans for the hot dogs to be sold out every year so there is no waste.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
Every child 12 years old and under who registers will receive a gift. They will be able to explore the inflatable obstacle course and race down a 22-foot dual slide. Cotton candy, snow cones, candy apples, popcorn, etc. will be available for purchase through TC’s Shaved Ice. At noon, during the business meeting, a safety demonstration will be held.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
If you do not plan to stay for the business meeting, please take advantage of our convenient drive-thru registration. If you would like to attend the meeting, please make sure your handicapped placard is visible from your automobile. You will be directed to the handicapped parking area and a shuttle will pick you up and take you to the registration lines.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
Yes.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
The Annual Meeting will be held rain or shine. If there is a threat of a major storm, a decision will be made the Friday before the meeting. If it is necessary to cancel the Annual Meeting, an announcement will be made and a message will be posted to the homepage of our website.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
All prizes will be given away directly after the business meeting. The approximate time is 12:45 p.m.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
Once you are registered you are automatically eligible to win a door prize. Your door prize tickets are attached to your registration postcard and will be removed during the registration process. At the end of the registration line, you will drop one of your door prize tickets into the prize collection box. You will keep the other portion so you will be able to know whether or not you are a winner when the door prize ticket numbers are called.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
The candidates running for the Board will be published in April’s issue of the South Carolina Living magazine.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
In order to register and vote, you must bring a valid photo ID. It is also important for you to bring your registration postcard because it has a barcode, with information pertaining to your YEC membership, printed on it. The barcode is scanned and this process minimizes the wait in the registration lines.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
The registration gift is offered as an incentive to encourage members to attend the Annual Meeting; therefore, the registration gift is ONLY available to those members who are present. This applies to members who have health-related illnesses or emergency situations. Members who attend are not allowed to register their friends and neighbors by bringing their registration cards.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
The 2020 registration gift is TBD. The 2019 registration gift was a $15 power bill credit.
The registration gift is offered as an incentive to encourage members to attend the Annual Meeting, May 11, 2019; therefore, the registration gift is ONLY available to those members who are present. This applies to members who have health-related illnesses or emergency situations. Members who attend are not allowed to register their friends and neighbors by bringing their registration cards.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
The meeting is held at YEC’s main office. The address is 1385 East Alexander Love Highway in York, SC. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at noon. The business meeting begins at noon and ends at approximately 12:45 p.m, Saturday, May 11, 2019.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
The Annual Meeting is Saturday, May 11, 2019. Members receive a registration postcard in the mail the last week in April. Members are also notified through the South Carolina Living magazine.
UPDATE: YEC’s 79th Annual Meeting Has Been Suspended Until Further Notice
The Annual Meeting is a meeting of YEC’s members and a special occasion for members to participate in cooperative business and meet their cooperative leaders and employees. It’s a family affair with a festival atmosphere; the event flourishes with a wide array of activities. Music will fill the air as children explore their way through an inflatable obstacle course and race down a 22-foot dual slide. The aroma of popcorn will entice you to visit the participating food vendors to see what food options they have for you to purchase. Each member who is present and registers receives a registration gift and will be eligible to win door prizes. Most importantly, members can exercise their cooperative right to vote in the election for seats on the cooperative’s Board of Trustees. During the business meeting, the President and CEO will inform members of current events and share important information pertaining to the cooperative. YEC’s bylaws require an Annual Meeting to be held.