Trustees are the Foundation of the Electric Cooperative

More than 75 years ago, a group of local visionaries came together to join NRECA’s rural movement to secure electricity in our community. These original local leaders were farmers and ranchers, business owners, and community members, just like the trustees who currently serve and lead our electric cooperative today.  Democratic Member Control is one of our founding principles, meaning trustees are members themselves. They are people from our community, voted on by Lane-Scott Electric members, responsible for representing the best interests of members when making important decisions.

What does it mean to be a trustee?

Trustees are the regulatory body of the cooperative. They are responsible for setting policies, understanding the financial position of the cooperative, and approving work plans and rates that affect employees and all members. It is a vital position who’s decisions impact not only the cooperative but the community as a whole.

To fulfill these duties and understand how electric co-ops function, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) provides electrical co-op education through training courses designed for trustees.  In addition to the education commitment, time commitment is required to attend monthly board meetings, represent Lane-Scott at other organizations such as Sunflower Electric, our generation and transmission supplier, the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., and other meetings and interests needing the attention of our trustees.

When can you apply to be a trustee?

Lane-Scott has nine trustees who complete the board, each who represent a county district of Lane-Gove, Logan-Scott, Ness-Rush, and Hodgeman-Finney. Three terms expire every three years and are voted upon by ballot at the Lane-Scott Annual Meeting in July. Any member who has an interest in running for a trustee position needs to apply by May 27, 2022. The basic qualifications are:

• Be a bona fide resident of the county or counties the member is to represent.
• Using, receiving, or purchasing a cooperative service in the county or counties the member is to represent.
• Not having a conflict of interest.
• Having not been an employee of the cooperative within the past five years.

The County Districts up for election in 2022 are: Finney-Hodgeman, Lane-Gove, and Logan-Scott.

Qualified candidates will then be referred to the Lane-Scott Electric committee on nominations for further consideration.

If you have a neighbor or friend in these counties who you think would be a valuable candidate, please encourage them to apply! You can contact me directly by calling 620-397-5327 or richard.mcleon@lanescott.coop by May 27, 2022.