Upcoming Election Defines Difference

It’s annual meeting season at FreeState, and that means we are not only planning for the annual meeting, we are also getting prepared to hold the trustee election — one of the most important aspects of the cooperative difference.

Members can expect ballots in their mailboxes in early April. In this issue, you will find basic information about our board candidates. Each candidate also has their own, “candidate corner” with answers to specific questions about cooperative service and their qualifications. I encourage you to visit the website and find out more about our candidates.

As we start thinking about our annual election, I wanted to provide some reasons why you should vote in the upcoming election.

Representation: The trustees you elect make decisions that impact all members, including themselves. By participating in the election members ensure that their perspectives and concerns are represented at the decision-making level.

Accountability: Throughout the election process, members hold the trustees accountable. The trustee election creates a mechanism for transparency and ensures that the board acts in the best interest of members.

Strategic Direction: The board plays a role in the strategic direction of your cooperative. Voting allows members to have a say in how the future is shaped.

Community Engagement: Voting in the trustee election fosters engagement and collaboration as members come together to participate in the democratic process of electing leadership.

Ownership and Control: Voting empowers members to exercise their ownership rights, ensuring that decisions about the cooperative’s operations are made collectively rather than by a select few.

Ensuring Competent Leadership: By participating in the election of board members, cooperative members have a say in selecting individuals with the skills, knowledge, and commitment needed to effectively lead the organization.

As we near the upcoming election, I encourage you to take part in this fundamental process of a democratic and member-driven governance structure. It’s just another part of the cooperative difference, where membership matters most.