Story and photos by Sam Skinner
Clearwater Power’s annual meeting brings together members living along more than 3,000 miles of line powered by the cooperative. The cooperative was shaped by its members, and 86 annual meetings later, it still relies on its members to help guide the organization into the future.
The annual meeting is an opportunity for members/owners to learn more about the financial position of the organization and hear from auditors reviewing its financials. Members hear reports from cooperative leadership and vote to elect board members who make the decisions that guide the staff at the cooperative.
In addition, the cooperative recognizes and awards scholarships to local youth who strive to learn more about how electric cooperatives work and improve their leadership skills.
At the annual meeting, members are encouraged to engage in cooperative activities and ensure staff and board members listen to and understand the community to make the co-op better.
The 2023 annual meeting and board of directors election was on October 25 at the Clearwater River Casino Event Center.
The board has 7 members who live on the cooperative’s electric lines and are active consumers. Directors are elected for 3-year terms, and 3 seats on the 7-member board were up for reelection this year. Incumbents Alan Lansing, Richard “Gene” Butler and Robert “Bob” Callison all retained their board positions.
4 candidates vied for the District 3 board seat. Bob, from Kendrick, Idaho, has held the seat for 4 decades. He retained his position by a 4-vote margin. Alan, from Lenore, Idaho, and Gene, from Culdesac, Idaho, ran unopposed for Districts 4 and 6, respectively. Both men have served on the Clearwater Power board for more than 25 years.
During the meeting, Bob was recognized for his 40 years of service on the board. Tom Hutchinson, of Craigmont, Idaho, serves as board president and received recognition for 35 years of service. Ken Weiss, of Asotin, Washington, was also recognized for 25 years of service on the board.
Director Jeff Copeland was awarded the Director Gold Credential, which recognizes directors who have earned their Credentialed Cooperative Director and Board Leadership certificates from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and are committed to continuing their education throughout their service on the board.
Clearwater Power General Manager and CEO Dave Hagen also received recognition from the board for his 40 years of service to the cooperative. At the meeting, Dave announced his plans to retire next summer.
He expressed his deep gratitude to the members and everyone at Clearwater Power Company.
“I have witnessed the cooperative grow and evolve,” Dave said. “I am immensely proud of the contributions our team has made to the rural communities we serve. I am grateful for the support and collaboration of our dedicated employees and the board of directors throughout these years. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones and faced many challenges head-on, always emerging stronger and more resilient. Most importantly, we have acted with the very best interest of our members in mind.
“It has been a privilege to build such treasured relationships within public power.”
He received a standing ovation from the nearly 200 members and employees present.
Several members won door prizes, including William Rember, who won a $150 bill credit, and Andrea Boyer, the grand prize winner of a $300 bill credit.