For the past eighty years, Palmetto Electric members have come together for the cooperative’s Annual Meeting.  It is the most important event for our cooperative each year—a time for members, employees and cooperative leadership to gather and discuss the business of our cooperative.

As you already know, this year’s Annual Meeting was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Palmetto Electric has been actively monitoring the COVID crisis and working to find a way to hold the meeting as soon and safely as possible.  Unfortunately, the risks associated with large crowds and COVID-19 will prevent us from hosting our meeting in the traditional way this year.  The health and safety of our members, employees and community is our top priority.  With that in mind, we have made changes to the format of the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Drive-thru registration and voting

Drive-thru registration and voting will be available Thursday, October 8 and Friday, October 9, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Ridgeland office.  Drive-thru registration will also be available Saturday, October 10, from noon-4 p.m. at the Ridgeland office.  Registration will be designed so that you never leave your vehicle, and Palmetto Electric employees will be adhering to all COVID safety precautions.  You will drive-thru to register and cast your ballot for director elections, proposed bylaw changes and a voting district question.  You will then receive a registration gift as you exit.  All members who register will be entered into the door prize drawings, which will be held at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 10.  Winners will be notified, and the results of the drawings will be posted on our website and Facebook page.

 Business meeting livestreamed

The business portion of the Annual Meeting will be held Saturday, October 10, beginning at 5 p.m.  The business meeting will be broadcast live on the cooperative’s website, as well as our Facebook page.      Members will be able to watch and participate in the meeting from the safety and comfort of home.  For those that are not able to view the meeting live, a recording of the meeting will be posted to the cooperative’s website.

Proposed bylaw changes and voting district questions

In 2019, the S.C. General Assembly passed governance reform legislation requiring electric cooperatives to implement several bylaw and policy changes, as well as new voting practices.  We have included the proposed bylaw changes, as well as the voting district questions for your review online here at palmetto.coop, as well as the September edition of South Carolina Living.  You will be asked to vote on both at the Annual Meeting.  Complete details regarding the 2020 Annual Meeting can be found online at palmetto.coop and on the cover wrap of the September issue of South Carolina Living.  A second official meeting notice will be mailed to all members the last week of September.

2020 has been a year full of  uncertainty and change for all of us.  While our Annual Meeting may be different this year, we feel this is a safe alternative to protect our employees and members, while still taking care of the cooperative’s business.   I want to personally thank you for your understanding, and I sincerely hope to see you driving through at the Annual Meeting! Stay safe!