Amidst continuing concerns regarding COVID-19, this year’s annual meeting is designed to encourage social distancing and allow members to participate in the cooperative’s democratic process as comfortably and safely as possible.

Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s 82nd Annual Meeting of Members will be held at the Bond County Fairgrounds in Greenville. The meeting will be offered in a drive-through or pull up and park format. Members may vote and leave or vote and pull into a parking area to await the president’s address, CEO report and election results. 

Attendees will be asked to remain in their vehicles for the duration of their stay. The meeting will be broadcast through a short-range FM transmitter, and attendees will listen on their car radio. 

To expedite voting, members are asked to bring the registration card printed on the back cover of the August issue of The Southwestern (the annual report). To more effectively practice CDC recommended health guidelines and help ensure member and employee safety, the co-op is encouraging members to vote before the day of the meeting. 

Members will earn a $50 bill credit by presenting their preprinted registration card and voting before Sept. 12. Voting schedules appear HERE.

In addition to creating an environment which encourages social distancing, the co-op will limit interpersonal contact at this year’s meeting. Southwestern Electric will not serve meals, offer attendance gifts, hold prize drawings, play BINGO or put on a carnival. There will be no drawings for cash prizes or a year of free electricity.

At 10 a.m., Ann Schwarm, president of Southwestern Electric Cooperative, and CEO Bobby Williams will deliver their reports. Election results will follow. 

Questions or comments regarding the meeting may be directed to Susan File, vice president of member services, at (800) 637-8667 or susan.file@sweci.com.