Manager Articles

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

MAY 2026

Reflecting on our past. Preparing for what’s ahead.

On March 26, Darke REC welcomed members and guests to our 2026 Annual Meeting for an afternoon centered on connection, transparency, and the cooperative spirit that continues to guide everything we do. Our annual meeting is more than a tradition; it’s an opportunity to come together, share progress, and ensure your voice remains at the heart of our decisions.

Thank you to all who attended, participated in the election, and took time to engage with us about the future of your cooperative.

Board election results 

A key part of our democratic process is the election of trustees. This year, we are pleased to announce that Michelle Marker was reelected for District 4 and Matt Webster was reelected for District 7. We thank all candidates for their willingness to serve and for their commitment to the cooperative. Strong leadership at the board level ensures we continue making thoughtful, member-focused decisions. 

Celebrating 90 years of service 

This year marks 90 years of bringing power to our communities. During the meeting, we took time to reflect on where we started and how far we’ve come. 

From the early days of rural electrification to today’s modern grid, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to serving you. What began as neighbors helping neighbors has grown into a system that powers homes, farms, and businesses with reliability and care. 

As part of this milestone year, we also highlighted our 90 Days of Giving campaign. Through bill credits, community support, and member engagement opportunities, this campaign reflects what it truly means to be a cooperative. 

Investing in reliability & technology 

Delivering safe, reliable power continues to be a priority. Over the past year, we’ve made significant progress on our system-wide mapping project, an investment that will be completed in 2026. 

This technology will allow our crews to respond more quickly and efficiently during outages, improve system visibility, and enhance long-term planning. It’s one of several steps we are taking to strengthen our infrastructure and better serve you when it matters most. 

In addition, our crews continue to focus on system maintenance, pole testing, and proactive upgrades to reduce outages and improve overall performance. 

Looking ahead: planning for the future 

As we look toward the remainder of 2026, we remain focused on balancing reliability, affordability, and long-term sustainability. 

We recognize our responsibility to serve you by working to keep bills as low as possible. We fully understand it’s our job to manage the costs we can control before we ever ask our members to pay more for their energy. Most importantly, our job is to make sure that our energy system can keep up with the increased demand we’re facing. We want you to feel confident that you will have the energy you need, whenever and wherever you need it. Our fundamental responsibility to you is to deliver reliable power to your home while keeping bills as low as possible. Part of that responsibility includes evaluating our rates, a process we are currently undergoing. 

We understand that any increase can be challenging, especially during times when many families are already feeling financial pressure. Please know that these decisions are not made lightly. Our board and leadership team carefully evaluate every factor to ensure we continue providing reliable service while being responsible stewards of your cooperative. 

We are committed to communicating openly throughout this process and providing resources to help members manage their energy use and costs. 

Powered by members, guided by you 

Your participation in the annual meeting is a reminder of what makes cooperatives unique. Every question asked, every vote cast, and every conversation shared helps to shape the direction of Darke REC. 

As we celebrate 90 years and look toward the future, our focus remains the same: to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity while strengthening the communities we serve. 

Thank you for being part of Darke REC.