For the 2020 Annual Meeting reports and information, visit our Annual Meeting webpage.
2020 Annual Meeting Cancellation Press Release
May 27, 2020
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the board of directors of Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA) made the decision to cancel the July 16, 2020 annual meeting of members.
“One of the seven Cooperative Principles is Concern for Community. Keeping that in mind, your board made the decision to place the health and well-being of our membership and employees as priority one. We greatly appreciate our member’s patience and understanding during these unique times,” says EECA Board President Steve Prest.
This year, three director seats were up for election, Rick Asaturian of Carbondale, Steve Prest of Coulterville and Larry Ebers of Steeleville, with each being nominated at the nominating committee meeting, held on May 5, 2020. With no nominations made by petition, their election will be delayed until the 2021 annual meeting.
Although the annual meeting is canceled, all cooperative financial information usually presented at the annual meeting will be available at our website in July and available to members upon request. Also, the drawing for ten $1,000 scholarships will still take place on July 16, 2020. The scholarship drawings will be conducted by video streaming and shared on our website and social media platforms. This year, the annual meeting scholarship funds will be moved to our Operation Round-Up program and will be awarded through the Egyptian Electric Charitable Fund. Operation Round-Up is a unique program designed to provide financial assistance to deserving causes within the Egyptian Electric Cooperative service footprint, where primarily funding is by member-owners voluntarily choosing to round up their monthly electric bill.
EECA continues to follow the COVID-19 pandemic situation very closely and will continue to implement recommended practices as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization, as well as guidance provided by state and federal officials. Because the guidelines and expectations of the virus are ever-changing, we chose not to try to reschedule the annual meeting before the end of the year.
“Our members and our employees will always be our number one priority. We continue to operate all services without interruption,” says Shane Hermetz, PE, general manager/executive vice president. “We take extreme pride in our service to the membership. Ensuring the continued safety of members and employees alike is a daily process and look forward to the day that we see each other again at an EECA annual meeting of members.”
EECA is a critical part of the communities that we serve. Social distancing will continue until sometime into our future. Our commitment to our members and our community remains strong. Our employees continue to work to provide safe and reliable electricity while respecting the guidelines of proper social distancing. From discussing payment arrangements to help with financial assistance from local agencies, we are here to help. Members with questions about the annual meeting as encouraged to call us at (800) 606-1505.
Correction made from the July Illinois Country Living magazine, Steve Prest was nominated for reelection, not Paul Hicks as previously printed.
