More than 200 members braved severe weather to attend the annual meeting on April 30 at the Topeka office. Oleander Café catered a delicious meal before the meeting.
Before the meeting was called to order, Shawnee County issued a tornado warning, and attendees were guided to shelter by FreeState employees. After the storm passed, members resumed dinner and prepared for the meeting.
Washburn Rural High School JROTC presented the colors and led the pledge of allegiance. Jeanine Murphy, president of the FreeState Board of Trustees, called the meeting to order.
CEO Chris Parr presented the “State of the Cooperative.” He began by acknowledging the success of FreeState employees and trustees in the past year, and the progress of initiatives undertaken.
He spoke about the recent member satisfaction survey. Responses solidified the understanding of trust between members and their cooperative. Parr explained many of FreeState’s employees and all our trustees are cooperative members themselves, and the mutual respect, understanding and care between members and the cooperative is of the utmost importance to FreeState.
Parr explained that changes in technology, regulations, consumer preferences, and environmental issues would all impact the industry. Completing technology upgrades and a class cost-of-service study, will enable FreeState to handle these industry changes. Members, trustees and employees will work together to ensure changes are well communicated and understood prior to any changes.
The results of the 2024 trustee election were then announced. MATT TURECEK was reelected as an east district trustee, and ROB SAGE and BILL CONLEY were reelected in the west district.
As winning numbers for the door prize raffle were drawn, and the sun began to set in the cool breeze after the storm, FreeState members headed home after another successful annual meeting. Thank you to everyone who joined us for an incredible night of connecting with our FreeState community and discussing cooperative business.