The election of directors for the Access Energy Cooperative Board of Directors takes place each year at the annual meeting of members. Each year, the term expires for one director in each of the three districts. Directors are elected to serve a 3-year term. (Click here to see a map of the 3 Districts of the cooperative.) Each members can cast one vote in the election.
Your Annual Meeting Packet
Ballots will be mailed to members July 6, 2023, with a packet of information pertaining to the annual meeting. Balloting closes when the attorney calls for the last ballot at the annual meeting of members on August 1, 2023.. Enclosed in the annual meeting packet are the following items:
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a ballot for your respective district for the election of directors with director bio information on the back and any proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation
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a return envelope
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information on the candidates running for the board, and
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other pertinent information to the meeting
Several options will be available to cast your vote, instructions are printed on your ballot:
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Vote Online
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Vote through SmartHub
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Mail it in an envelope provided, or
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Bring it to the annual meeting
Two separate drawings will be held for a $100 bill credit at the annual meeting.
- One $100 bill credit will be awarded from the ballots mailed in to the office.
- A second drawing will be held for a $100 bill credit from those who voted online.
- Ballots for these drawings must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the day before the annual meeting of members to be valid.
- Members need not be present to win these two prizes.
- Members must be present to win all other drawings at the meeting.
How to Vote For Directors by mail
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Properly mark your ballot for election of directors, by placing a mark in the box next to the candidate of your choice. Marking both will result in a spoiled ballot.
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Place ballot inside the envelope bearing the your name. One has been provided in the packet for use.
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Mail the ballot in the return envelope that is provided
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If mailed, the ballot must be received prior to the annual meeting, to be counted as a valid vote. Ballot counters must be able to identify on the outside of the envelope who the ballot was sent by. The return envelop provided has all of this information on it. If you no longer have the return envelope, you can print your name and address on the envelope. All votes are kept anonymous.
How to Vote For Directors electronically
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Instructions for voting online are printed on your ballot, along with a password and code needed to vote.
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You can also vote through SmartHub by logging into your account and selecting the VOTE NOW button - no additional login or passcode is needed. Online voting ends at 4:30 p.m. on the day before the annual meeting of members.
Other Information
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a director, officer, employee, or member of the association is not liable on the association’s debts or obligations, and a director, officer, member, or other volunteer is not personally liable in that capacity, for a claim based upon any action taken, or any failure to take action in the discharge of the person’s duties, except for the amount of a financial benefit received by the person to which the person is not entitled, an intentional infliction of harm on the association or its members, or an intentional violation of criminal law.
The Cooperative may indemnify any present or former director, officer, employee, member, or volunteer in the manner and in the instances authorized under Section 499.59(A) of the Code of Iowa (2005).