Director candidates sought in three zones

In 2010, director seats will be open for election in the following zones:
ZONE 2 — Adams County townships of Butler, Hamilton, Huntington, Latimore, Menallen, Reading and Tyrone; and the boroughs of Bendersville, Biglerville, and York Springs. Also, the Cumberland County townships of Dickinson and South Middleton. Nina L. Redding of Aspers has served from this zone since 2004, but will not seek re-election.

ZONE 6 — York County townships of Chanceford, East Hopewell, Fawn, Hopewell, Lower Chanceford, Lower Windsor, North Hopewell, Peach Bottom, Shrewsbury, Springfield, and Windsor, and the boroughs of Cross Roads, Fawn Grove, Felton, Jacobus, Loganville, New Freedom, Railroad, Red Lion, Shrewsbury, Stewartstown, and Winterstown. Judith J. Queitzsch of New Freedom is the current director.

ZONE 7 — Franklin County townships of Greene, Letterkenny, Lurgan, Southampton, and St. Thomas, and the boroughs of Orrstown and Shippensburg. Jay E. Grove of Shippensburg is the current director.

The co-op is divided into nine zones for the purpose of electing directors. Each year, board seats in three of the zones are open for election. If there is more than one candidate, a primary election is held in that zone to rank order the candidates’ names on the general election ballot. These primary (ballot position) elections are held as needed in February and March. At a strategic planning session held in October, the board paved the way for eventual online voting and agreed to allow the use of mail ballots during the primary elections. The changes offer members more options for voting in the director election process.

The general election ballot is mailed to all members in May and the entire election process culminates at the co-op’s annual meeting in June.

A member interested in serving as a director must be a full-time resident of one of these zones for at least one year. Directors make policies that guide the cooperative in providing reliable electric service at affordable rates. Directors must make a commitment of time and energy and become “credentialed” in a timely manner in order to succeed in their positions. This training helps directors deal with budgets, board roles, legislation, strategic planning and the electric business. Although directors are not paid a salary for their service, they do receive some compensation for their time. They also are reimbursed for training or travel expenses they incur. Directors receive an allowance or per diem for attending approved monthly board meetings or committee assignments. These allowances are comparable to those of similar cooperative organizations across
the nation. Required board travel, training and conference expenses are paid by the cooperative.

Directors are expected to attend monthly board meetings, averaging four hours each, plus special meetings, held as needed. Adams Electric’s board has a code of ethics and regularly assesses board performance.

Candidates, or members circulating a petition for a candidate, must secure signatures and addresses of at least 25 Adams Electric members on an official petition. The candidate must fill out a personal profile and statement of candidacy and provide a photograph (head and shoulders). This paperwork may be picked up at any office of Adams Electric after Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009. The paperwork must be returned to the headquarters office, 1338 Biglerville Road, P.O. Box 1055, Gettysburg, PA 17325-1055 before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010.

For more information, contact Community Services Coordinator Cindy Brant at cindyb@adamsec.coop, or call toll-free at 888/232-6732.