Director’s Corner

Are you a cooperative voter?

By Donald Hawk, District 1 Director, CCD, BL

As a member owned cooperative, voting is part of our DNA. Cooperative principle number two is Democratic Member Control. This principle ensures we remain controlled by our members. All our members can vote for our Board of Directors. We have annual elections for Donald Hawk cooperative directors, who are also members of The Energy Cooperative. I encourage you to vote annually in our cooperative elections. We postponed the most recent election due to the pandemic, but you will receive information on how to vote approximately thirty days before voting is rescheduled to begin.

Voting helps us maintain a utility that is responsive to the members it serves. Elections impact cooperatives in the same way that federal, state and local elections impact our communities. When voters miss their chance to vote, they lose an opportunity to communicate their concerns to leaders about issues that matter.

Reliable electricity, rural infrastructure and access to rural broadband are just a few of the issues that are important to cooperatives across the United States. These issues will only become priorities if we continue to express our concerns to our elected officials. Now is the perfect time to confirm your voter registration is valid and encourage any new voters to get registered. For information on how to register and vote in our state, visit the Co-ops Vote website at www.vote.coop. Co-ops Vote is a non-partisan program developed by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). We are part of this network of 42 million cooperative members across the United States. Together we have a powerful voice on national issues that have a local impact.

I am honored to serve as your District 1 Director. The Board of Directors is very committed to serving your energy needs today and in the future. If you have not participated in a cooperative election, I hope you will do so this year. Please visit www.vote.coop to read more about important issues facing our cooperative, and exercise your right to vote in November.

Get to know your Director

Donald is a self-employed farmer who has owned and operated Skyline Turkey Farm, Inc. for the past forty years. He has served as a township trustee, Soil and Water supervisor, member of the Ohio Poultry Marketing board, the Knox County Farm Bureau, and is a member of the St. Luke Catholic Church. Donald is married to Janet and they have four children: Daniel, Delbert, Joseph and Shannon.