On Thursday evening, Kankakee Valley REMC blended two of their annual events together with the 2021 Member Appreciation Day and Annual Business Meeting. The energy co-op celebrated their member-consumers while handling the important business of electing the next directors of their board.
Hosted at the Porter County Expo Center, almost 1000 people gathered to enjoy free dinner, live music and entertainment, bingo, and cash prizes. Among the performers were The Van Dells, a musical act that pays homage to the ‘50s and ‘60s, and the Chester Mouse Funhouse show, a performance for the kids featuring comedy and ventriloquism.
“This is an important opportunity for us to come together with our member-consumers,” said Scott Sears, Kankakee Valley REMC CEO. “We like to interact with them, ask them how things are going, and provide a little entertainment on the side. It’s a fun night where we also handle some serious business.”
When member-consumers checked in to the event and received their goodie bags, they also handled one of the most important tasks for the co-op’s future – voting for their district’s next member of the Board of Directors. Every member-consumer shares in ownership of Kankakee Valley REMC, and as a result, plays a key role in deciding the co-op’s direction for the coming years.
“I don’t think a large, investor-owned utility has the same feel for the pulse of their customers,” Sears said. “I feel we know better than anybody what our member-consumers want, and this event gives them the perfect environment for them to come and share with us. Our business model works, we’re a nonprofit, and everyone here knows that and comes here to share their ideas because we want to do what they want us to.”
Board President Otto Werner took part in the festivities, enjoying dinner among the rest of KV REMC’s member-consumers.
“I’m retiring after 30 years on the board, and it’s been an amazing 30 years,” he said. “It’s one of the best boards I know of because we go through everything and have an excellent relationship with everyone all the way through. We work for our member-consumers to keep offering the best electric service we can.”
KV REMC’s employees, from the office staff to linemen such as Jesse Webb, all helped to keep the event running smoothly. They managed registration, passed out food, read out the bingo results, and more. Webb is no stranger to the event and always appreciates seeing such a huge turnout.
“When I started here, I’d never have thought that the member-consumers would be so involved in everything,” he said. “This is the one time of the year where I’m doing more than just turning their lights on. I get to see them, talk to them, and know that they’re showing interest in their co-op which is member-oriented and member-owned. They get to have their opinion heard and their vote count.”
To learn more about Kankakee Valley REMC, visit www.kvremc.com.
