The meeting began with the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. Brian Omerso, manager of marketing and member services with Clark County REMC, gave the invocation. Board President Paul Graf called the 85th Annual Meeting of the membership of Clark County REMC to order, welcoming everyone and introducing the board of directors.
Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Myers verified the proof of mailing, dated March 12, 2024, and announced that there was a quorum present for the meeting. Graf then declared the meeting a legal Annual Meeting of the members of Clark County REMC.
Graf asked for additions or corrections to the 2023 Annual Meeting minutes, which were included in the March issue of the Indiana Connection, for member review prior to the evening’s meeting. Hearing no changes, the minutes were accepted on a motion duly made, seconded, and carried. Graf asked for any old business. There was none. Graf asked for any new business. There was none.
Graf introduced System Attorney David Lewis as the meeting’s parliamentarian.
Lewis stated that the REMC is guided in its conduct of corporate affairs by the Indiana REMC Act, the Cooperative’s Articles of Incorporation, and the Bylaws. The Bylaws provide that the affairs of the Cooperative be managed by 7 directors and for the election of directors in staggered 3-year terms.
Lewis explained the eligibility requirements for membership on the board of directors. He stated that District 4 and District 5 were up for election this year.
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 4.06 of the Bylaws, candidates were nominated for the director positions by submitting a written petition signed by a minimum of 15 members.
Nominated by petition were District 4 incumbent Director Joe Basham and District 5 incumbent Director Mark Huber, both running unopposed. There were no other nominees. The names of the candidates were posted in the REMC Office on Jan. 18, 2024.
Lewis reported that the Bylaws provide for the appointment of a Credentials and Election (C&E) Committee by the board of directors to serve at every meeting of the membership. The C&E Committee is empowered to rule on questions of voting eligibility, validity of petitions of nomination, and eligibility of candidates, as well as verify the voting results. The Committee determined at its January 18, 2024, meeting that all candidates who met the qualifications and eligibility of the Bylaws were placed in nomination.
Lewis reported that the Bylaws do not permit nominations from the floor and that voting had already occurred. The candidates were introduced to the membership.
Chief Executive Officer Jason Clemmons thanked everyone who has been part of the 2024 Annual Meeting and delivered a speech to the members.
Following the vote count, C&E Committee Chairman Andrew Kruer announced the following winners of the 2024 election: District 4, Joe Basham, and District 5, Mark Huber.
Following the recognition of the senior lady and senior gentleman and prize drawings, the meeting was adjourned on a motion duly made, seconded, and carried.