McDonough Power 83rd Annual Meeting Cancelled
The McDonough Power Cooperative Board of Directors has canceled the 2020 Annual Membership Meeting, a decision aimed at protecting the health and safety of members, employees and the community during this unprecedented and still uncertain COVID-19 pandemic.
After a thorough discussion of the current facts surrounding the coronavirus, review of information from experts about the pandemic’s likely status this fall and consideration of recommendations from health and government officials, the board voted May 26 to cancel the 83rd annual meeting, which had been scheduled for August 12 at The Crossing in Macomb.
The next annual meeting for members, friends of the Cooperative and employees is planned for August 2021.
“Our top priority is, and always will be, the health and safety of our members and our employees. Board members and staff felt, based on statistical facts and guidelines and recommendations of health professionals at all levels, it would not be prudent or safe to hold the annual meeting. None of us wants to put any of our valued community members at even a slight risk of getting sick,” Jeff Moore, the board chairman, and Mike Smith, McDonough Power president and CEO, jointly said.
At the May 26 monthly board meeting, the board, in light of the extraordinary circumstances, also discussed the three board members whose terms were expiring this year. Their terms will be extended one year, until the 2021 annual meeting.
Although this year’s meeting was not until August, it was canceled now out of respect for those involved in the event and the many arrangements that had to be made months in advance.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, McDonough Power has been proactive in its health-related actions while, at the same time, continuing to provide electricity to members. The Cooperative closed its lobby to members and the public and cut back on the number of employees reporting to the office. Lineworkers have been assigned staggered shifts and are careful to maintain social distancing with each other and members. In an action to ease the financial burden on families struggling with their bills, the Cooperative proactively suspended disconnections and related charges and will continue to do so until the governor’s mandate is lifted.
McDonough Power continues to monitor the pandemic and recommendations from health and government leaders and act in the best interest of members, employees and the community.