Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative has nine co-op members who serve on the board of directors. Directors establish the strategic direction of the electric cooperative, and are entrusted with oversight of the co-op's assets and resources. Directors attend all regular monthly board meetings, usually held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative office in Paxton. Directors are required by bylaw to earn their NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Certificate. Directors also participate in continuing education offerings and stay updated on financial reports regarding the cooperative as well as current information provided by state and national associations.
Each year, at our annual meeting (usually held in June), three of the nine board seats are up for election. Even though our nine board districts are broken up into geographic territories, all directors represent all members of the Cooperative. Additionally, all members are eligible to vote for the directors from each board district, not just the one they live in. Board members are elected to three-year terms.
Running for the board is a simple process. Each year, usually in February, packets are available for members that live in one of the three districts that are up for election. Board candidates need to get at least 25 members to sign their nominating petition. Once the completed nominating petition is received, Eastern Illini's credentials committee (made up of co-op members) will review to make sure the signatures are valid and the candidate is in good standing as a member of the cooperative. It's as simple as that to run for election on the board. For more information about this process, please contact us at 800-824-5102.
