Hancock-Wood members vote for the 10 trustees serving on the board, each whom represent a district. The trustees usually meet once a month, and it is their responsibility to set policies/rates. They are not involved in day-to-day business, nor specific employee issues.

The role of a trustee
In helping us understand roles, it is always beneficial to look at the meaning of words. Some cooperatives use the term director instead of trustee. Perhaps this term is even more appropriate; a definition of director is "one who guides the course of action."

This is key, because the role of a trustee is not to be involved in daily decision-making. In its simplest form, the trustee's function is to guide, to point and to direct. This is why trustees normally come to the Cooperative's office only once per month. They are basically entrusted to focus on the financial well-being of Hancock-Wood.

Their presence at the monthly board meetings help direct and guide the company, just like the captain of a ship. They don't discuss specific employee issues, they don't look to solve exact service problems, nor do they talk about precise departmental or staffing plans. They look at the business from a macro point of view, and the daily decision-making is left to the President/CEO and employees.

A trustee should be an individual who has the best interest of the cooperative at heart. They never put their own interest or agenda first, and serve on the board solely to assist the cooperative and people like you, not for any perk or personal gain. They should have the ability to guide the President/CEO through the formulation of sound policies which protect the financial and operating integrity of the company as well as protect the rights of the membership.

Remember, as part-owner of Hancock-Wood, you have a voice in the service you receive. Trustees represent your voice, and one way you exercise that ownership is by expressing your opinions and concerns to your own trustee representative.

Consider running for trustee

Any member can become a trustee.  As mentioned, seats on the board are designated by geographic area.  To run, a position must be available in your area, and to qualify, you must basically:

1. Have been a member for at least three (3) years.
2. Have not been an employee for three (3) years prior.
3. Not be closely related to an employee.
4. Not be employed by a financially interested competing enterprise, or a business selling electric power or supplies to the cooperative.

Here's the basic timeline of the election process: (dates subject to change)

• May - Members are notified of districts up for election via company publications.
• July - Members in each district up for election are mailed election nominations, where they can submit names for their trustee position.  Members then mail back nomination forms, which are then counted.  President & CEO then contacts the top voted nominees for interviews.
• August - Ballots are mailed to each district.
• September - Ballots are returned, and then counted.  Election results are announced at the Annual Meeting.

If you'd like to run for a trustee position, simply contact us.

District map

A map to determine in which district you reside.

Contact your trustee

Information is listed here for contacting your trustee.