The business and affairs of Cotton Electric Cooperative are managed by a Board of nine Trustees representing geographical districts within the service territory. The Board establishes the overall policies of the cooperative and each Trustee is a co-op member who represents the district in which he or she lives. Any member desiring to run for the office of Trustee from the district of his or her residence must complete and file a Board Candidacy Form at least 30 days prior to the District Meeting. The file must be a physical copy submitted to the Cotton Electric headquarters in Walters. The form will be reviewed by the Cooperative’s General Counsel and is designed to ensure that all candidates are eligible to be a candidate and remain a Trustee prior to the election.
Trustee Requirements
No person shall be eligible to become or remain a trustee who:
(a) Is not an active member of the Cooperative with at least one (1) year of continuous membership prior to the district meeting; or
(b) Who ceases to be a member of the Cooperative after election as Trustee; or
(c) Who has not received electric service from the Cooperative at their primary permanent residence in the particular district from which the person is to represent for one (1) continuous year prior to the district meeting; or
(d) Who ceases to receive electric service from the Cooperative at the Trustee’s primary permanent residence in the particular district which the person represents after election as Trustee; or
(e) Is in any way employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise or a business selling electric energy or a business selling supplies and services to the Cooperative. These proscriptions shall not apply if and where the degree of the prohibited activity, as determined by the Board of Trustees, is so inconsiderable and incidental as to pose no reasonable prospect of conflict of interest; or
(f) Is the incumbent of or candidate for an elective public office in connection with which a salary or compensation in excess of one hundred dollars per month is paid; or
(g) Has been convicted, plead guilty or nolo contendere to a felony offense under the laws the of the State of Oklahoma or another jurisdiction; or
(h) Is, becomes, or was an employee of the Cooperative or a subsidiary of the Cooperative during the preceding five (5) years prior to the time of filing his/her Notice of Candidacy; or
A trustee shall inform the Board of Trustees of any act or fact that would disqualify him/her under this section.
Trustees are elected for a period of three (3) years. These terms are staggered so that at least three (3) Trustees are elected each year.
On average, trustees devote 40 hours per month to the Board. This includes attendance to monthly board meetings, committee meetings, and preparation for meetings. Additional hours are devoted for travel and attendance to training seminars and conferences.
The responsibilities of the Board are to offer competitive rates and provide electric and related services needed by the members while remaining financially sound and continuing to uphold the Cooperative philosophy. To further this objective by formulating such policies as may be required to provide this service.
In addition to attending seminars and conferences, Trustees are strongly encouraged to obtain the Credential Cooperative Director (CCD) Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Trustees receive per diem compensation for meetings attended and reimbursed for mileage.
Candidates must submit the online form, or downloadable packet, as well as the Background Check Authorization form to the Cotton Electric Cooperative headquarters in Walters at least thirty (30) days prior to the District Meeting.
The Cooperative’s business hours are 8 am to 5 pm., Monday - Friday.