Another View - Carroll Electric Coop not operating in a democratic manner

Those who attended the Carroll Electric annual Members Meeting on May 28 witnessed an amazing event. Being part of a group with more than 100 people coming from all over the Carroll Electric Cooperative Corp. (CECC) service area was a momentous occasion in itself.

Never had a group of this size come to a CECC board meeting to stand up for our rights as members and owners. Crowded into a partitioned room for a brief presentation by CEO Rob Boaz, people were stunned as CECC leaders adjourned the meeting and exited the room without even acknowledging their presence.

Shared stories and concerns

After the "meeting" adjourned, many of the members who had come with the intention to speak to the board and management, spoke instead to one another. One by one, people began to tell their stories and to share their concerns. People expressed many concerns and objections to CECC's use of herbicides. Some spoke about the latest medical and scientific analysis showing the harmful, long-term effects of exposure.

Many spoke about the failure of herbicide spray crews to avoid properties where owners had requested "no spray." One woman spoke about the social injustice of subcontractors using immigrant laborers to spray the poisons.

Another spoke with frustration about how CECC was using Rural Arkansas magazine as a bully pulpit to deny global warming while paying lobbyists to fight progressive legislation that many members support; bills that would reimburse homeowners who generate electricity a fair rate for power fed back into the grid, and, other bills intended to increase clean renewables and reduce dependence on coal.

'The glint of democracy'

The issues raised were as varied as the members attending. Collectively and cooperatively, we found our voice and spoke our truth. The glint of democracy was renewed, and we began the first small steps toward reclaiming our rightful role as participating members in our electric cooperative.

In an effort to encourage more member involvement for next year's annual meeting, we contacted Carroll Electric to reserve the meeting room again, so that members could once again have the opportunity to speak. (The annual meeting is the one meeting each year that members can lawfully attend). We wanted to make sure that members' concerns would once again be heard, if only by each other. Unfortunately, our reservation was denied.

CECC managements' attempt to deny members the right to speak at the annual membership meeting is unacceptable. CECC's efforts to block members from fully participating at the annual meeting by refusing to allow use of the meeting room cannot stand.

CECC has an obligation to members that extends far beyond the delivery of electricity. CECC is a democratic cooperative and non-profit corporation. This status carries a specific responsibility to allow and encourage member participation.

'Transparency and involvement' essential

CECC board and management cannot simply, "make their decisions based on what they think is best for the membership" as communication director Nancy Plagge has stated. Corporate transparency and member involvement is essential.

Members are not arbitrarily attacking CECC board and management policies. Rather, we are defending the rights of members to protect their health, their land and their water by active participation in a truly democratic cooperative. To accomplish this, members have begun to outline the changes that must occur in order for CECC to return to its cooperative roots. Some of these proposed changes are as follow:

* CECC should nullify bylaw amendments that have made it unreasonably difficult for members to nominate and elect candidates for the board.

* CECC should nullify bylaw amendments that have made it virtually impossible for members to bring member-initiated petitions before the board.

* CECC should guarantee members' access to, and participation in the annual membership meeting. The meeting should be held on a Saturday so that working members are able to attend. Annual meetings should be held in a location to accommodate as many members as possible.

* CECC should follow the practice of other non-profit cooperatives by holding all regular board meetings open to members, and declaring executive sessions only when certain sensitive issues must be discussed in closed session.

* CECC should post the minutes, and or, provide a Webcast of each board meeting. Copies of full minutes should be available to members free of charge on request.

* CECC should allow members access to financial records, audits and regulatory reports.

* CECC should post all compensation and benefits for board members, the CEO and senior management on its Web site.

* CECC should review and adjust board member compensation to the levels commensurate with the levels common to other non-profit cooperatives.

Cooperation is imperative

There are many issues related to the production and transmission of electricity that coop members have sought to input in recent years, only to be shut out from any meaningful forum or discussion. Members pay for the publication of Rural Arkansas magazine, but cannot challenge, dispute, or reply to its articles.

There are many indications that the governance of the coop is no longer in the hands of members. But after seeing and hearing the passion for democracy and cooperation that lives within our membership, I believe this situation is about to change. Indeed, "we are the change we wish the world to see."