Nominating petitions for three district seats on the North Central Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees will be available Monday, Jan. 8, at the cooperative’s office in Attica.
Cooperative members interested in a seat will need to secure at least 25 signatures from members residing in their district, similar to the process that township trustees and school board members must follow.
Petitions must be filed with the cooperative by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12.
Board members whose terms expire in 2018 include Randy Armstrong, District 1 (Crawford and Richland counties); Steve Seitz, District 2 (Wyandot County); and Ronald Frisch, District 5 (Pleasant, Clinton, and Eden townships in Seneca County).
How are the candidates selected?
Those who wish to represent their district on the board of trustees must reside in the district for which they are running. They must obtain at least 25 signatures of members within their respective district. Nominating petitions will be available starting Monday, Jan. 8.
What are the trustee petition particulars?
Under the NCE Code of Regulations, a husband and wife hold a single, joint membership with the cooperative, and therefore, only one can sign the petition for their joint membership. The signatures will be validated by the cooperative. The candidate must be a member in good standing with the electric cooperative, be at least 18 years old, and have received electric service from North Central Electric for at least one year prior to being elected to the board. Members are not eligible to seek election if they have been employed by the cooperative within the past five years or if they are a close relative to an existing trustee or an employee of the cooperative. Candidates cannot be employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise or a business selling electric energy or supplies to the cooperative, or a business primarily engaged in selling electrical or plumbing appliances, fixtures, or supplies to members.
What are the board’s primary responsibilities?
The board sets rates and policies and oversees the operation of the cooperative by approving budgets and work plans, reviewing financial and other reports, and appraising management performances.
How much time is required of a board member?
February through December, the board usually meets on the first Saturday of each month. The meetings begin at 8 a.m. and usually last four to five hours. The January meeting lasts the better part of a weekday in early to mid-January and is devoted to reviewing and approving the budget.
In addition to attending monthly meetings, board members spend four to 10 hours per month reading materials to prepare for the board meeting. Trustees also serve on one or two committees that meet periodically. Many attend state, regional, and national meetings, as well as various training and educational courses. Trustees are encouraged to complete a national certification program by the end of their second term.