The 81st Annual Member Meeting of Tipmont REMC took place at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 18. After 2020’s Annual Meeting was canceled, this gathering celebrated Tipmont’s progress in essential electric and broadband services while allowing members to reconnect, vote in Board of Directors elections and participate however they felt comfortable.
A new drive-thru option let members cast votes and receive gifts for attending without leaving their cars. This year, we welcomed 394 members in the drive-thru and 188 members in person. Each member received a Tipmont gift bag, which included a copy of the 2020 Annual Report.
Those attending in person were encouraged to visit various Tipmont displays and information centers prior to Business Meetings and learn more about residential internet, business solutions, engineering, energy efficiency, vegetation management, operations, and our Operation Round Up and EnviroWatts grant programs.
Business Meetings for 2020 and 2021 took place.
2020 Business Meeting
Tipmont attorney Jeff Helmerick first read the notice of the 2020 Business Meeting, announced a quorum and called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve minutes from the 2019 Annual Meeting. District 1 Director and Secretary-Treasurer Kirk Alter then delivered the 2019 Financial Report. Helmerick announced an unopposed election for District 4 Director and Vice Chairman Brent Bible (rescheduled from 2020). A motion was made, seconded and carried to cast a unanimous ballot for Bible in District 4. With no further business, a motion was made, seconded and carried to adjourn the 2020 Business Meeting at 10:17 a.m.
2021 Business Meeting
Helmerick then read the notice of the 2021 Business Meeting and called that meeting to order at 10:18 a.m. Alter then delivered the 2020 Financial Report. Helmerick then announced an unopposed election for District 5 Director Larry E. Carlson. A motion was made, seconded and carried to cast a unanimous ballot for Carlson in District 5.
Candidates for elections in District 2 and District 7 then addressed members. In District 2, candidates were Jan Harlow (incumbent), Seth Bretscher and Michael Garner. In District 7, candidates were Robert Baker (incumbent) and R.D. Hayman.
While votes were gathered and tallied, Communication Director Rob Ford introduced President and CEO Ron Holcomb, who updated members on Tipmont’s pursuit of a fair and flexible power supply. Ford then provided an update on the fiber broadband initiative.
After all votes were tallied, Harlow retained her seat in District 2 and Baker retained his seat in District 7.
Holcomb and the Board of Directors then celebrated Helmerick’s retirement after years of dedicated service to Tipmont and its members.
Five grand prizes of $1,000 were drawn, available in cash or as an electric bill credit. Winners were:
- Ralph P. Attica
- Kay B., Lafayette
- Wayne S., West Lafayette
- Carl S., Lafayette
- Laurel S., Lafayette
As there was no further business, the 2021 Business Meeting was adjourned at 11:08 a.m.
