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
Only members who attend the annual meeting, provide proper identification and their registration card are eligible to receive a registration gift, vote and be entered into the door prize drawing. To extend a greater opportunity for our members and to encourage participation, our meeting days and times have been extended to two days.
No parking will be available at the annual meeting because it is completely drive-thru.
Each member will receive an official announcement in the April South Carolina Living magazine, as well as a registration postcard. Please keep your registration postcard and bring it with you to the annual meeting.
These bylaw amendments [PDF download] are listed on the ballot and are unanimously supported by your board of directors.
All other door prizes will be announced during the virtual business meeting. Winners will be contacted on Monday following the annual meeting.
YEC has three grand prizes available to win at this year’s annual meeting. They include a 2500 HD Chevrolet pickup and (2) $500 power bill credits. Winners will be contacted on Monday following the annual meeting.
In an effort to keep everyone safe in the ongoing pandemic, YEC will not host any entertainment or food vendors during the annual meeting.
All members of the cooperative are eligible to register with a valid photo ID and their registration card. The registration card will be mailed to members the first full week in April.
The YEC annual meeting will be held at our main office, 1385 E. Alexander Love Hwy. on Friday, May 7 from 7 am-7 pm and on Saturday, May 8 from 7 am-2 pm. The virtual business meeting will be live online Saturday evening.
Each member who attends the annual meeting and registers will receive a $20 power bill credit and a pack of 2 LED light bulbs.
The door prize winners, including the grand prize winners, will be announced during the virtual business meeting. All door prizes that can be mailed will be sent directly to winners. If your name is chosen we will contact you to provide you details about your prize on Monday following the annual meeting.
The annual meeting is drive-thru, so just stay in the comfort of your car. YEC employees will be there to help guide you through each step of the process to register and cast your vote.
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. As a democratically controlled, not-for-profit business, our bylaws indicate we host a meeting for members to gather and vote on important matters each year. We’ve adapted the meeting to be safe for all and convenient for you by hosting registration and voting as a 2-day drive-thru experience and virtual business meeting. 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 virtual business meeting that will be streamed on our website and our Facebook page, our President and CEO, attorney and Board Chairman will update you on important Cooperative business and share election results.