THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS WILL BE A VIRTUAL/ONLINE EVENT ONLY

  • The video stream of the meeting premieres on TUESDAY, MAY 5 AT 5:00 P.M.

  • The link to view the meeting will be available on this webpage May 5 through June 1.
  • Members without internet access may watch a recording of the meeting during the May 21 Member Appreciation Event at the cooperative’s facility.
  • Submit the code revealed at the end of the online meeting before 4 p.m. on June 1 to receive a $20 meeting attendance energy credit. (Link to submit will be active on this page at 5 p.m. on May 5.)
  • Account number is required to claim credit and is limited to one per member.
  • Code may be submitted on this webpage or by completing and returning the form in the May issue of Ohio Cooperative Living magazine.

For questions or assistance, please contact the co-op’s office at 1-800-533-8658.

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS
Firelands Electric Cooperative is guided by seven core principles and values: voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, training, and information, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for community. These principles are rooted in our cooperative model to ensure member ownership, community focus, and a commitment to ethical practices.

Cooperative Elections
Democratic member ownership and control is a core principle of Firelands Electric Cooperative, which is the heart of our utility. Co-op members are considered part owners of Firelands Electric and have a voice in its operation by exercising their right to vote, including electing board members who represent their interests. Firelands Electric’s democratic election process and annual meeting events serve as a crucial platform for members to exercise their ownership rights and a way to engage with the cooperative's operations.

Annual Meetings
Cooperative member events and annual meetings reflect the core values of cooperation, member empowerment, and community engagement that were essential to bringing electricity to rural areas of Ashland, Huron, Lorain, and Richland counties. Annual meetings continue to serve as a vital mechanism for members to engage with their cooperative to ensure its ongoing success. Annual meetings have a rich history rooted in the establishment of Firelands Electric Cooperative’s member-owned utility, which was formed in 1936 to provide electricity to rural areas where private investor-owned companies were unwilling to invest during that time.

Firelands Electric Cooperative has a history, with the first annual meeting event dating back to June of 1939. Annual meetings were, and still are, community events to serve as a vital mechanism for members to engage with their cooperative and ensure its ongoing success. This is where management and the board present updates on the cooperative's performance, finances, and future plans, ensuring transparency and accountability to the members.

While traditional in-person meetings have taken place for over 80 years, cooperatives across the nation, including Firelands, are exploring virtual or hybrid formats to accommodate busy schedules and different member preferences. Check be to this web page for future details and information.