Like any living, breathing thing, the annual meeting has evolved over the years.

That includes the day’s events. For decades, the meeting was an event itself. Men in business attire, women in dresses and children in their Sunday best came out to partake in the entertainment, food and fellowship of the day.

When COVID-19 hit, handshakes gave way to elbow bumps, crowded gymnasiums became socially distanced outdoor fairgrounds, and the entertainment, food and fellowship took a backseat to a more businesslike proceeding.

While we may never fully get back to those pre-COVID times, we hope to get closer with every passing year. Last August, we returned to an indoors meet- ing, with an energy fair and live line demonstration among the draws. This year, we’re planning to have a farmers market, food trucks and more to help us celebrate the 85th Annual Meeting of Members.

Here are a few of the other activities and exhibits we’re looking forward to at this year’s meeting.

ANNUAL MEETING TIME AND LOCATION

The 85th Annual Meeting of Southwestern Electric Cooperative members will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, on the grounds of Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site at 315 W. Gallatin Street, Vandalia, IL 62471.

Voting opens at 8 a.m. Business meeting begins at 10 a.m. Questions or com- ments regarding the meeting may be directed to Susan File, vice president of member services, at susan.file@sweci. com or (800) 637-8667, ext. 5924.

E-CYCLING DRIVE

Don’t know what to do with that old computer tower? Bring it with you to the meeting! CJD E-Cycling will be at the annual meeting from 9 a.m. to noon — or until the recycling tractor trailer is full — to collect old or broken electronics. The recycling truck will be parked on the Moose Lodge parking lot located at 328 S. Third St. in Vandalia.

Accepted items include but aren’t limited to computers, printers, fax machines, scanners, phones, air conditioners, washing machines, dryers, video game consoles, car batteries and more. Items not accepted include light bulbs, DVDs, radioactive materials and flammable materials, non-electronics, prescription medication and more.

Some items, such as televisions, dehumidifiers and lamps, are accepted for a fee, depending on the item. For a full list of accepted and not-accepted items, visit CJD E-Cycling’s website at cjdecycling.com.

LIVE LINE DEMONSTRATION

For the second year in a row, South- western Electric linemen will be putting on a live line demonstration for members. Topics include the dangers of live wires, how an outage occurs and how to safely remove yourself from a live-wire situation, among others. Don’t miss this free and fun demonstration!

SCRATCH-OFF TICKETS

As a door prize this year, scratch-off tickets will be given to the first 200 members in attendance. And unlike playing the lottery, all of our scratch- offs are winners! Prizes might include food, cash or bill credits.

PARKING

All parking will be at attendees’ leisure. The lot at the former Givens Meat Shop, 218 S. Third St., or the First United Methodist Church’s parking lot at 127 N. Fourth St. are two nearby options for members attending the meeting.

Redeem Registration Card on Back Cover of July or August Magazines for $30 Bill Credit

To ensure you received the 2023 voter registration card in time to claim your $30 bill credit for voting in this year’s election, we included a card in both the July and August issues again this year. The cards are identical. You only need one card to register and vote, and you may register and vote only one time.

To expedite voting, please bring the registration card printed on the back cover of the July issue or August special edition of The Southwestern to one of Southwestern’s voting locations. You’ll earn a $30 bill credit by presenting the preprinted registration card when you vote in this year’s election of directors. Our voting schedule appears on the next page.

Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s 85th Annual Meeting of Members will be held on the grounds of Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site, located at 315 W. Gallatin Street, Vandalia, Ill.

If it rains, we’ll move north a block and cross the street to gather indoors at First United Methodist Church, 127 N 4th Street.

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

VOTING SCHEDULE

Members may cast their votes for board candidates in the 2023 election at the times and locations listed below.

$30 bill credit with your pre-printed registration card, $20 bill credit without your pre-printed registration card. Bill credit to be applied on the October bill — same credit amounts offered for early and day-of-meeting voting.

Greenville office, 525 US Route 40, Greenville

• Aug. 30 remains open to 7 p.m.
• Sept. 7 remains open to 7 p.m.

St. Jacob warehouse, 10031 Ellis Road, St. Jacob    

• Aug. 29 from 4 to 7 p.m.
• Sept. 6 from 4 to 7 p.m.

St. Elmo warehouse, 2117 East 1850 Avenue, St. Elmo       

• Aug. 31 from 4 to 7 p.m.
• Sept. 5 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site, 315 W. Gallatin Street, Vandalia  

• Sept. 9 from 8 to 10 a.m.

In addition to the above times, any member of the cooperative can vote during normal business hours at our Greenville office beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25 through 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8. We are closed on Monday, Sept. 4 in observance of Labor Day.