Arrowhead Electric Cooperative in Lutsen is governed by a seven-person board of directors elected by the membership. Like all cooperatives, Arrowhead is owned by its members, and the board members are their representatives.
Arrowhead conducts an annual election for board members to serve three-year terms from defined districts in its coverage area. This year, three seats are up for election: District 2, Maple Hill/Colvill; District 4, Rosebush/Devll Track; and District 5, Cascade and Pike Lake.
Donna Lunke in District 2, Mike Littfin in District 4, and Stanley Tull in District 5 are currently serving as directors in the three districts on the ballot this year. Lunke and Littfin intend to stand for re-election this year. We were unable to reach Tull before our deadline.
The Arrowhead website offers a comprehensive Director Nominee Information Packet to assist potential candidates in understanding an individual director’s and the board’s overall roles.
Candidates must obtain at least 15 signatures of cooperative members in their district on a nomination petition, which is also available for download on the website. Candidates must complete all packet materials and petitions and submit them to Arrowhead before April 3.
Each member receives a ballot packet and may vote by mail or at the Annual Meeting. Regardless of the district where they receive service, members may vote once for the candidate in each of the three districts on the ballot. Wherever you live in the Arrowhead service district, you get up to three votes this year.
The votes for directors will be tabulated and announced during the cooperative’s annual meeting, scheduled for June 12 this year at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.
The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the cooperative’s business and determining its strategic direction. Board terms are three years. Last year, only District 1 was up for election. Next year, Districts 3, 6, and 7 will be up for election.
Candidates should know that serving on the Arrowhead Cooperative board requires a commitment of one to three days each month. The board usually meets on the last Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. New directors are expected to receive at least ten training days during the first year of board membership. Continuing education is highly encouraged. The average director spends a few hours a month on “homework,” such as reviewing information, preparing for meetings, or talking with fellow co-op members.
Directors are paid $500 for regular Board Meetings and $250 per day for all other meetings or training days. Mileage is paid at the current IRS rate. Per diem rates for food on travel/training days and reimbursement of expenses are also available.
Lunke said, “I want to remind people to vote when they receive their ballot in the mail and get it back (to Arrowhead) in the mail as soon as possible.”
