Dexter Edmision

Commitment to serve is the co-op difference

As my tenure comes to a close as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) I have to reflect on what I have learned from my experiences as a director. This includes serving as director on the boards of the AIEC, Tri-County Electric Cooperative and Southern Illinois Power Cooperative.

First, let me give you some background. I was approached about serving as director at my local distribution cooperative, Tri-County Electric, in 1992. My local director, a neighbor and friend, had passed away unexpectedly. The remainder of his term needed to be filled. I admit that I was very naive about cooperatives and had some misconceptions about what the electric cooperative movement was all about. Frankly, my knowledge about cooperatives was limited. My previous involvement was attending a few 4-H electric schools and a few annual meetings as a youngster. Probably like some of you, I thought the director positions entailed a lot of fun travel - possibly without much merit.

That evening, my wife Judy and I discussed the position and my concerns. Due to our misconceptions of what being a cooperative director would be like, we were unsure if I should be personally involved. Later in the week I had somewhat the same discussion with my father. Although he was a good listener, he didn't give his opinion as to what I should do. Ultimately, the final decision was mine to make. After much consideration, I decided that I would accept the offer in order to be able to make what I thought at the time to be some necessary changes.

Now, let me share my experience. What a rude awakening I experienced when I became a director! I found that, yes; directors do take a few trips. I must add, however, that I cannot say I have seen the program abused. These trips have in actuality turned out to be highly beneficial: engaging directors in educational activities to make them better board members and therefore more competent in serving members, and more informed by keeping directors abreast of events impacting the membership both politically and economically. Being involved in the issues facing electric cooperatives today is very challenging. Deregulation and power supply reliability are incredibly difficult and complicated issues. However, I'm glad that local members, the men and women who serve, will decide these issues on cooperative boards with integrity and genuine concern for their local community.

While serving on these boards I have been privileged to become acquainted with many people from across the state and now count them as friends. I have found a common thread of commitment to the service of the rural development needs of the areas served and have seen a genuine desire that members be treated fairly in the legislative and competitive arenas. I feel fortunate to have had these experiences, and find they have made me a most ardent supporter of what the electric cooperative movement is all about. The movement today is not much different than it was some 60 plus years ago when the REA (now RUS) saw that the investor-owned utility companies did not want to serve rural areas. The truth of the matter is that today they still don't want to serve the rural areas unless it is to "cherry pick" some profitable electric load. Finally, you the cooperative members are being served by the most dedicated directors and employees, and without the continued work of these dedicated individuals many of us would find ourselves literally "in the dark." Together, they strive to give us quality of life in the rural areas that investor-owned utilities saw no profit in serving. Cooperatives remain in touch with local issues and objectives in ways large corporations can't match.

They are also able to make certain your interests are protected at the local, state and national levels. Through the network of cooperative organizations, members have real power - even at the national level.

Mine has truly been a wonderful awakening, and I encourage you to become involved in your local electric cooperative. Go to the annual meeting. Read the local newsletter. Talk to your board members. As an owner, you must stay informed.

Dexter Edmison is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. He has served on the Board of Directors of Tri-County Electric Cooperative since 1992.

The opinions and views of guest commentators are their own and may not represent those of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives or the electric co-ops of Illinois.