Hughesville, MD – The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) is preparing for its board elections with the selection of a 10-member Nominating Committee, tasked with reviewing applications for the upcoming election of five board positions. Set to meet on May 8, 2024, at SMECO’s Hughesville headquarters, the committee will play a critical role in the democratic process that underpins the cooperative’s governance structure.
This year’s board elections will see one position contested in the combined area of Calvert and Anne Arundel counties, two in Charles County, and two in St. Mary’s County. The Nominating Committee, comprising representatives from these counties, reflects SMECO’s commitment to community representation and leadership.
The committee members for 2024 include Kimberly Freeland and Terence N. Gibson from Calvert County, Joseph L. Gardiner Jr., Edward Holland III, and William B. Young Jr. from Charles County, Charles E. Clagett and Ernest H. Riess from Prince George’s County, and Edith M. Bell, George A. Brown, and Catherine Brenda Coates from St. Mary’s County.
SMECO members with aspirations of joining the board are encouraged to submit their candidacy through an online application process. The deadline for applications to be considered by the Nominating Committee is set for 4 p.m., May 3, 2024. SMECO has made the application form accessible through its website, underlining the cooperative’s emphasis on transparent and inclusive electoral procedures.
Additionally, SMECO’s bylaws facilitate member-driven nominations through petitions. A minimum of 15 members can nominate a candidate, who must submit their application by May 23, 2024, also ensuring an avenue for broader member participation in the election process.
The election results will be unveiled during SMECO’s Annual Meeting on August 21, 2024, although the voting process will be conducted through mail and online platforms, ensuring accessibility for all cooperative members. This approach allows for a seamless voting process, reinforcing SMECO’s dedication to member engagement and the cooperative principle of democratic member control.
For further details on the nominating process, candidate qualifications, and other election-related information, SMECO encourages its members to consult the cooperative’s bylaws available both at SMECO offices and online.
