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Meeting of the Members of Lynches River Electric Cooperative
Be Informed
- This petition serves to gather signatures of the Members Of Lynches River Electric Co-Op in support of REMOVAL OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES & THE CEO !
This Meeting is in accordance with section 2.2 of the Bylaws
Section 2.2—Special Member Meetings. A special meeting of Members (“Special Member Meeting”) may be
called by resolution of the Board of Trustees or upon written request signed by at least three (3) trustees or by at least ten (10%) percent of the members, or by the President. The meeting shall be held within a county in which the Cooperative provides a Cooperative Service, at a date, time, and location to be determined by the Board. It shall be the duty of the Secretary tocause notice of such meeting to be given as hereinafter provided in Section 2.5.
Section 2.5—Notice of Member Meetings. Written or printed notice stating the place, day, and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting or an annual meeting at which special business is to be transacted, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered to each member not less than ten days, or thirty days if the meeting includes an election, nor morethan forty-five days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at thedirection of the Secretary, or upon a default in duty by the Secretary by the persons calling themeeting. No matter, the carrying of which, as provided by law or these Bylaws, requires the affirmative votes of at least a clear majority of all the Cooperative’s members shall be acted upon at any meeting of the members unless notice of such matter shall have been contained in the notice of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail addresses to the member at his address as it appears on the records of the Cooperative, with Postage thereon prepaid. The failure of any members to receive notice of an annual meeting of the members shall not invalidate any action which may be taken by the members at any such meeting.
Section 3.9—Trustee Removal. The Board of Trustees may temporarily suspend a trustee for cause. Atrustee against whom such charge for cause has been brought shall be informed in writing of the charges at least five (5) days prior to a meeting of the board, such meeting being in accordance with the provisions of Article 4, Board Meetings and Trustee Voting, of these bylaws. Therein, the charges shall be considered and the trustee shall have the opportunity, at the meeting, to be heard in person or by counsel, and to present evidence in respect of the charge. A temporary suspension of a trustee for cause may occur upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board until the next annual or special meeting. At that meeting, the membership may remove the suspended trustee for cause from the board by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting. In the event the membership refuses to vote to remove Kevin Sims, he must be reinstated immediately with all the powers of his office and continue to serve for the remainder of his elected term.
Demand Accountability from Lynches River Electric Leadership
The Lynches River Electric Cooperative serves as a vital resource to the members of Chesterfield, Kershaw, and Lancaster Counties, South Carolina, providing essential electrical services for homes and businesses alike.
WHY IS LYNCHES RIVER IN $90 MILLION IN DEBT?
We the members of Lynches River Electric demand accountability from Lynches River Electric leadership !
However, there have been increasing concerns among members regarding the conduct, transparency, and decision-making processes of the current Board of Trustees, CEO, and Cooperative Attorney. These positions are integral in ensuring that the cooperative functions with honesty, integrity, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and a strong community focus.
Many members have highlighted issues including, but not limited to, a lack of transparency in board decisions, questionable financial practices, and potential conflicts of interest and breaches of fiduciary duty. These matters not only affect members’ trust but also raise questions about the effective management of cooperative resources and funds. Transparency and accountability are foundational principles any organization must adhere to—especially one charged with managing public resources.
According to the Rural Electric Cooperative Governance Task Force, proper governance and management in cooperatives are essential for maintaining trust and efficiency (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association). Yet, it appears these principles are not being fully upheld by Lynches River Electric leadership.
We are calling for the removal of the Lynches River Electric Board of Trustees, the removal of the current CEO, and a review of the Cooperative Attorney’s role and the decisions he has made. This restructuring aims not only to restore trust but also to ensure a forward-moving cooperative that adheres to ethical standards and operates in the best interests of its members.
An effective leadership team will prioritize clear communication, ethical governance, and responsiveness to the needs and concerns of the cooperative’s members. We propose the establishment of an independent review committee composed of cooperative members to oversee the transition process and ensure thorough evaluation of new candidates based on transparency, competence, and commitment to community service.
Sign this petition to express your desire for a leadership change at Lynches River Electric Cooperative—one that will better represent the interests and values of Chesterfield, Kershaw, and Lancaster County residents.
Please take the time to review the following documents.