URE Is Searching For Candidates

URE is democratically governed by the members it serves. The strength of the cooperative lies in having a qualified and committed board of trustees. Trustees serve as elected representatives and are accountable to our members.

Three board seats are up for election in 2027: District 1 (Washington, Jackson and York townships), District 4 (Liberty and Taylor townships), and District 5 (Leesburg and Dover townships). If you live in either District 1, 4, or 5 and are in good standing with the cooperative — you are eligible to run for the board of trustees.

All members vote!

Cooperative members elect trustees each year to serve a three-year term. Members vote for trustees before the annual meeting, and the election results are announced at the annual meeting. The 2027 annual meeting is Saturday, June 5. Members will receive voting information in the mail in May. Each member can vote for one trustee candidate in each district up for election, using SmartHub, online, or by mail.

Board of trustee responsibilities

The board of trustees manages the business and affairs of the cooperative. Trustees represent fellow members and meet each month to set policies and approve budgets. Board members attend a monthly board meeting conducted at the cooperative’s office on the last Tuesday of each month. The meetings begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 1 p.m. Board members are active in their communities, attend many of the cooperative’s events, and are highly encouraged to attend other meetings and training opportunities throughout the year.

The board of trustees represents the members of URE as the governing body for the cooperative. Each trustee is a member of the cooperative. Board members are nominated by district and are elected at-large. The board of trustees makes decisions that affect the entire membership and represents the interests of all members.

How to become a trustee

As a member of the cooperative, you have the opportunity to run for and be elected to serve on the board of trustees when your district’s seat is up for election. Members who live in one of the districts up for election receive a board trustee interest postcard in the mail, in January. If you are interested in becoming a URE trustee, please fill out the trustee interest postcard and return it to the cooperative’s office. Once the cooperative has received your completed card, you will be sent a packet that details board member requirements and responsibilities and an in-depth candidate information form.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR NOMINATION

Seats on the board of trustees are designated by geographic area. To run, a position must be available in your area. To qualify, you must:

  1. Be a member of the cooperative and resident of the district you want to represent;
  2. Not be employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise or a business selling electric power and/or energy, electrical supplies, or appliances to the cooperative or its members;
  3. Not be employed by the co-op or its subsidiaries within five years of the date of election.

Election Timeline

November 2026

  • Ohio Cooperative Living (OCL) article on the process for electing trustees, including a timeline

December 2026

  • OCL article on qualifications needed to run for the board

January 2027

  • January 4: Mail member interest cards to the districts
  • January 6: 150 days from annual meeting; earliest the board can appoint the nominating committee
  • January 22: Member interest cards due; validated for membership; mail member application packet
  • January 26: Regular January board meeting; appoint nominating committee

February 2027

  • February 10: Member candidate application due by 4 p.m.
  • February 11: Notice/packet mailed to nominating committee
  • February 18: Nominating committee meeting (third Thursday in February)
  • February 23: Regular February board meeting

March 2027

  • March 4: Second nominating committee meeting notice (if necessary)
  • March 26: Last day nominations by committee or petition can be filed with the secretary (70 days prior to annual meeting)
  • March 30: Regular March board meeting

April 2027

  • April 27: Regular April board meeting

May 2027

  • Official meeting notice in May OCL magazine
  • May 14: Latest ballots can be mailed to members (20 days prior to annual meeting)
  • May 25: Regular May board meeting

June 2027

  • Final meeting notice in June OCL magazine
  • June 3: Ballots due
  • June 5: Annual meeting, 9 a.m. at URE office
  • June 29: Regular June board meeting, including reorganizations meeting to elect board officers