Members Encouraged to Attend Annual Membership Meeting

Lenoir, North Carolina (May 24, 2010) – The Annual Membership Meeting of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation will be held Saturday, June 12, at Ashe County High School in West Jefferson.

Among the business at the annual meeting will be the election of four nominees for the open seats on Blue Ridge Electric’s board of directors. Nominated for these seats by member representatives on this year’s nominating committee are: Jeff Joines, Caldwell District; James Burl (JB) Lawrence Jr., Watauga District; Bradley McNeill, Ashe District; and Bryan Edwards, Alleghany District. No nominations by petition were received by this year’s April 1 deadline.

While the business session begins at 10 a.m., members can register from 8 to 10 a.m. and are strongly encouraged to bring their registration card printed on the front cover wrap of their June Carolina Country electric cooperative magazine. All registered members receive a lighted surge protector.

Members must be registered and present to win all prizes that will be awarded at the annual meeting, which include a total of four 32-inch HDTVs which will be awarded one per district; one digital camera per district; one Carolina Country gift basket per district; a two-pack of tickets per district to see Blood, Sweat & Tears live at An Appalachian Summer Festival; and four $50 bills per district.

Prior to the business session, ham biscuits and drinks will be served while they last in the cafeteria.

A variety of exhibits and entertainment will also be available prior to the business session, including booths on smart meters which are enabling members to receive much more detailed, daily energy usage information and the Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation which is helping to meet vital needs in our communities. Carolina Country magazine representatives will also be on hand and safety demonstrations will also take place.

A health fair with screenings and information will be conducted by Ashe Memorial Hospital from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. and the Elkville String Band will perform from 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Scholarships and Washington Youth Tour winners will be announced and presented in the gym at 9:30 a.m.

For convenience, a special children’s program supervised by Blue Ridge employees will be available during the business session.

A highlight of the Annual Membership Meeting will be an update on the state of the cooperative from Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson as well as reports from corporate and Board officers. An update will also be given on community support activities such as the Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation, which was formed to support local economic and community development initiatives. The Foundation, which is advised by a 12-person advisory committee made up of Blue Ridge Electric members, manages funds generated from the member supported Operation Round Up program.

Blue Ridge Electric is a member-owned electric cooperative utility serving some 73,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Avery and Alexander counties. The cooperative’s heating fuels and propane subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, serves customers in an area stretching from Catawba to Alleghany County.
Members of the cooperative received full details of the annual meeting in their June issue of Carolina Country magazine which was recently mailed. For more info, visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com or contact your local Blue Ridge Electric office.