Sunny skies and gentle breezes provided a perfect backdrop for Southside Electric Cooperative’s (SEC) 81st annual meeting. Members received free health screenings at the event’s health fair and an LED lantern as a registration gift. Several booths for the programs and services offered by the co-op provided information and free giveaways. Local favorite band Southbound performed throughout the day.

After a first round of door prizes, presentation of colors by Nottoway High School JROTC and live singing of the national anthem, the business meeting got underway at 11:15 a.m. Board Chairman Dr. Frank Bacon welcomed attendees and recognized special guests, including state Sen. Frank Ruff and Del. Tommy Wright.

Dr. Bacon shared highlights of co-op activities over the past year, noting that the Southside Opportunity Fund, SEC’s nonprofit foundation, has awarded $60,000 in educational scholarships in just three years thanks to a series of successful fundraisers.

Based on recent operational success, SEC’s board voted to return $3 million in capital credits to the co-op’s more than 56,000 accounts later this year. “This brings the total returned to our community to $11.5 million in the past three years,” Dr. Bacon concluded.

In his address, President & CEO Jeff Edwards detailed accomplishments of the past year, including cybersecurity improvements, and noted the success of Southside Virginia Community College’s Power Line Worker Training School, whose more than 150 graduates include several SEC linemen.

As a quorum of 2,432 members was present in person and by proxy, cooperative attorney Frank Rennie announced the re-election of board members William T. White from District I, Dr. Earl C. Currin from District II and Charles J. Friedl from District III. The day’s festivities ended with a barbecued chicken lunch.