As part of the bylaws revision, we are proposing a Member Bill of Rights – a measure that incorporates open meetings, open records, and fair and open elections into our bylaws . . .
More information and comments on the bylaws and the bill of rights can be found at: https://www.pec.coop/CorpProfile/Bylaws.aspx
Note: Dr. Cox, of Wimberley, represents District 7 on the Board of Directors of the Pedernales Electric Coop, your power company.
Send your comments and news tips to online.editor@valleyspringcomm.net, to Patrick at patrickcox7@gmail.com, or click on the "comments" button at the bottom of the story
By Patrick Cox, Ph.D.
Guest Commentary
At Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC), we are changing the way we work and do business. At the “New PEC," we are taking an open approach to our governance, operations and policies.This is not an interim action taken because of the misdeeds of previous coop administrations. These revisions include a complete revision of the PEC bylaws – the rules that govern the affairs of the cooperative and its members.
As an innovative proposal in our revised bylaws, we are proposing a Member Bill of Rights. The Member Bill of Rights is a first-ever initiative that establishes the importance of the principles of openness and fair elections, by making them permanent fixtures at the cooperative changeable only with member approval.
We have embarked on this open approach in order to re-establish trust with our members and the integrity of the PEC. As the PEC board, management and employees have begun this arduous process to restore the reputation and integrity of the nation’s largest electric cooperative, we have chosen to follow an open path – one that provides openness in our communications, meetings, records, as a standard for conducting our business.
The new board, management and employees have faced many challenges in reforming the PEC. In 2008, the Navigant Consulting Company review of the PEC clearly demonstrated that previous boards and management betrayed the membership and tarnished the reputation of the nation's largest electrical cooperative.
The Navigant investigators stated, "The lack of controls and effective Board oversight allowed PEC's former Senior Management to enter into questionable transactions, receive significant compensation, and operate the Cooperative inefficiently, as well as on a basis contrary to the best interests of the Cooperative's members." The mandate to reform the PEC, and to act to protect the membership and the cooperative, could not have been more clearly stated.
We initiated our reforms by changing our process. We now have open meetings. Electric cooperatives are not required by law to have open meetings. In order to change the organization, the PEC board changed our closed-door policy and opened meetings to members, the media and the public. Agendas are posted in advance, meetings are conducted in an orderly manner, and members are allowed to make statements to the board. All of our meetings are broadcast live on the PEC web site.
Like other boards and councils, we have executive sessions for board meetings that are closed to members and the press. The purpose of an executive session is only to discuss real estate, personnel matters, contracts, security and proprietary matters.
Like open meetings, records should be open to members. In the past, previous PEC boards and management withheld information relating to finance, policies and decisions that coop members should have been entitled to review and discuss. Nearly all records and information are now open. We have imposed restrictions on confidential information relating to the corporate and personal records of members that are not released. As part of our commitment, we are placing as much information as possible on the PEC web site to keep our members informed.
We have also reformed the election process. Members nominate directors and can vote in director elections either by mail, online or at the annual meeting. We now have one member/one vote. No member can cast more than one ballot in a director election.
We have opened our bylaw revision process to our members. The PEC bylaws cover issues relating to meetings, directors, elections, and many other member and governance issues. The PEC Governance, Bylaws and Legal committee is currently accepting member comments and suggestions. Information is available on the PEC web site and at local PEC offices throughout the service area.
As part of the bylaws revision, we are proposing a Member Bill of Rights – a measure that incorporates open meetings, open records, and fair and open elections into our bylaws. If these are approved and adopted, only the members will have the ability to make any future changes on these specific issues in our bylaws.
More information and comments on the PEC bylaws and the Member Bill of Rights can be found at: https://www.pec.coop/CorpProfile/Bylaws.aspx
In the new competitive environment and the evolving era of corporate accountability and media scrutiny, we need to meet the challenge of being open and more responsive. While openness may not always be the most efficient and may sometimes even be embarrassing, a standard of openness and accountability will be a positive benefit for the PEC and its members.
6 comments:
Jolly good show, Mr. Cox. But don't expect us customers to let our gullibility get the best of us. Actions speak louder than words. Sleep soundly until you forget that you and the Board work for us. You are all expendable by vote.
If you truly care about our member rights you'll vote yes to single member district voting and term limits. You voted against those changes in the past when the members called for them, Mr. Cox...why? Is it because you are afraid your own district won't elect you? Is it because you want to ride the PEC gravy train for as long as you like? The member bill of rights is just a fluff piece designed to try and pull the wool over our eyes.
Next time I bump into Dr. Cox I'll give him a high five for the great strides the board seems to be making in openness and transparency. If it all comes to pass, it will be the difference between night and day from the days the old guard ruled the roost. Thanks Dr. Cox. Keep up the good work, and please do not become complacent with these few good deeds. There is still much work to be done, especially in administrative overhead (bloated salries), conservation and making home solar a more attractive deal for homeowners. Might also want to do something about that stuffy corporate face PEC puts on, especially at the annual meetings.
It is never good enough for you hippie liberals, is it? Statements about the solar dream and comments like, “stuffy corporate face” uncover your leftist mentality. The PEC is so much better now and I hope it will never please the likes of you.
"Hippie liberals"? Wow, I didn't know consumer and member activism was what "hippie liberals' did. If so, where can I get some beads and bell bottom pants to go along with the ponytail I will grow and the bong I will install in my living room lined with indian tapestries?
Dude, get a life! Or stop doing the crystal meth. You need a 12 Step program for Fox News addicts.
The "new" PEC is still ripping-off its cooperative members.
We still are paying too much for our electricity needs.
It appears there is little we can do about it.
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