SINCE OUR LAST ANNUAL Meeting in 2019 a lot has changed, but we’re proud the support of our members has remained constant.
On October 15 and 16 over the span of 16 hours we were able to register an impressive 1,825 members. Our bylaws require a quorum equal to 5 percent of our membership, or 819 members. We’re proud to share we registered more than double the minimum required amount.
Year in Review
Though we’ve faced many unique challenges, we have not wavered in our commitment to bettering our community. Our employee founded and supported non-profit, The LIGHT Foundation, raised funds to provide financial assistance with medical expenses, donate supplies to local schools, support health care workers and more. Our community came together to raise more than $18,200 in this year’s Operation Round Up golf cart raffle to help Lynches River members with unexpected financial hardships. And as you read this, our co-op employees are preparing to deliver 85 Thanksgiving food boxes so families in our community can fellowship with loved ones.
Our commitment doesn’t stop there. This year we sponsored six high school students to participate in the Virtual Youth Experience for an opportunity to engage with state leaders and develop their own leadership skills. At this event Leah Gardner, a Lynches River representative and senior at Chesterfield High School, won the podcast scholarship competition and was awarded a $5,000 scholarship.
We’ve also supported greater access to education through the life-changing development of our fiber internet subsidiary, RiverNet Connect. Since connecting our first customer in September 2020, our team has connected more than 2,400 Lynches River members and has made high-speed internet available to more than 50 percent of the homes we serve. We encourage members to like the RiverNet Connect Facebook page for updates on our progress.
Trustee Election Results
In the Member-At-Large board election, members re-elected board member John “Jackie” Blackwell by a margin of 1,226 to 314. In the uncontested elections, district one board member Cindy Vincent and district seven board member Steven Chewning were re-elected. Each of these board members will serve a three-year term.
Prize Winners
We gave away 48 prizes at the conclusion of this year’s live business meeting. Each of the winners have been notified by phone or mail. We’d like to offer a special congratulations to Mary Lou Mosley, the winner of this year’s grand prize, a $1,000 bill credit. You can view the video below to see a recording of the business meeting and prize drawings.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone that took time out of their day to participate in our first ever drive-thru Annual Meeting. Your participation means the world to all of us here at Lynches River.
President & CEO