Blue Ridge Electric Invites Member-Owners to Annual Meeting
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
West Jefferson, North Carolina (May 16, 2003) – It only happens once a year and it’s the perfect opportunity for member-owners of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation to be involved in their cooperative: the Annual Membership Meeting. This year’s meeting will be held Saturday, June 14 at Ashe County High School with registration beginning at 7 a.m.
Every year on the second Saturday of June, Blue Ridge Electric hosts its Annual Membership Meeting to give members an opportunity to elect a slate of directors, visit informational booths and exhibits manned by cooperative employees, and enjoy food and fellowship with other cooperative members. The annual meeting is one way Blue Ridge Electric, as a member-owned cooperative electric utility, strives to inform and involve those it serves: the member-owners of the cooperative.
New this year at the annual meeting is a health fair being conducted by Ashe Memorial Hospital from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The following screenings will be available: blood pressure, height, weight, and glucose. For those participating in the glucose test, which will give you results of your blood sugar level, you should fast the night and morning before the test. The health fair will also include a variety of health information booths and complimentary services for all ages.
Members of the cooperative who register and are in attendance at the meeting will be eligible to win a refurbished 1994 Ford Explorer, the grand prize at this year’s event. Other prizes to be awarded include four $50 bills per district and a Family Gift pack from An Appalachian Summer Festival for the Outdoor Fireworks Concert sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric and featuring Lee Ann Womack.
Each registered member attending will receive a complimentary hat and tote bag. While they last, ham biscuits, drinks and doughnuts will also be provided to members in the cafeteria prior to the business session, which begins at 10 a.m.
Entertainers performing prior to the business session include the Hayes Family and Dixie Dawn.
During the business session, members will hear reports on the performance of the cooperative in 2002 as well as plans for the future. Members will also vote on four nominees for four open seats on Blue Ridge Electric’s board of directors. Director nominees are: Oren Teague, Caldwell District; Charity Gambill, Director at Large; Joy Coffey, Watauga District; and Kenneth Greene, Ashe District.
Information on the nominees is included in the 2002 Annual Report currently mailing to members. The nominees recently attended the cooperative’s series of Member Advisory Committee meetings for “Meet the Candidates” forums.
Before the business session, members and their guests can visit energy displays and exhibits which will include: hearth products and services from Blue Ridge Energies, the cooperative’s subsidiary offering propane, home heating fuels and commercial gasoline; Bank Draft and pay-on-line sign up, on-line services available from the cooperative at www.BlueRidgeEMC.com, BREMCare, electrical safety demonstration, Touchstone Energy, general information, and An Appalachian Summer Festival.
Children attending the meeting with their parents may participate in this year’s expanded Children’s Program from 9 a.m. until the end of the business session. In addition to crafts and games, Ashe Memorial Hospital is providing children’s ID fingerprinting during the Children’s program. An air walk will also be available (weather permitting) and refreshments will be served.
Members are reminded to bring with them the ticket stubs printed on the back of the 2002 annual report. Members must be registered to be eligible for prize drawings and present to win the grand prize. Members who cannot stay for the business session may register, vote and leave if needed. Those choosing this option are eligible for all prizes except the grand prize.
Members who are unable to attend the annual meeting but want to vote for directors can assign their vote by proxy to another member who will be attending. The proxy and related information is printed on the inside back cover of the annual report and meeting notice.
For more information about the annual meeting, see your 2002 Annual Report/2003 Annual Meeting Notice or contact your local cooperative office.
