2025 FreeState Trustee Application

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Instructions

We're excited that you've decided to apply for a FreeState Electric Cooperative trustee position.

The online application is broken down into several small pages. Please complete the information on each page, review your information at the end, then submit your application.

Keep in mind that:

All fields marked with an asterisk (*) on the application are required.
You must click the 'Finish' button at the end to submit your application.
If you choose not to submit information in areas where it is not required, it will be noted in all publications that you did not submit an answer. Your answers will be edited for grammar, so submissions do not need to be perfect.
If you have questions, please reach out to our office. You can call 800-794-1989 or email Sarah Farlee.

The application deadline is Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

Trustee Qualifications

Based upon membership in the Cooperative or other equitable consideration determined by the Board, the Board shall divide the general area in which the Cooperative provides electric energy (“Cooperative Service Area”), into districts set forth in the board policy:

West District–Service territory for the previously existing Kaw Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc., including members located in Shawnee, Douglas, Jackson, Osage, Wabaunsee and Pottawatomie counties and additions to said territories after January 1, 2017.

East District–Service territory for the previously existing Leavenworth-Jefferson Electric Cooperative, Inc., including members located in Leavenworth, Jefferson, Atchison, Douglas, and Jackson counties and additions to said territories after January 1, 2017.

The Cooperative shall have a Board that equitably represents the Members and is composed of:

(1) Six to 12 Members: (A) within the Cooperative Service Area; (B) nominated by and from each Trustee District; and (C) elected by the members from both Trustee Districts.
(2) A reasonable effort shall be made to have an equal number of Trustees from each Trustee District.

Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws:

Cooperative powers must be exercised by the Board, or under the Board’s authority;
Cooperative activities and affairs must be managed under the Board’s direction and subject to the Board’s oversight; and the Board shall reasonably administer and enforce these Bylaws or shall ensure that these Bylaws are reasonably administered and enforced.

Trustee Qualifications

A Trustee or Trustee candidate must comply with this Bylaw.

General Trustee Qualifications
To become and remain a Trustee, a Person must comply with the following general qualifications (“General Trustee Qualifications”):

be an individual;
have the capacity to enter legally binding contracts;
not have been previously removed or disqualified as a Trustee;
while a Trustee, not be convicted of, or plead guilty to, a felony;
except as otherwise provided by the Board for good cause, receive a Credentialed Cooperative Trustee designation, Trustee’s Certificate, or similar designation or certification from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association within three years of becoming a Trustee;
comply with any other reasonable qualifications determined by the Board.

Membership Trustee QualificationsTo become and remain a Trustee, an individual must comply with the following membership qualifications (“Membership Trustee Qualifications”):

while a Trustee and during the one year immediately before becoming a Trustee:

for at least six months each calendar year reside and use electric energy Provided by the Cooperative, at a Location within the Trustee District from which the Trustee is nominated.
while a Trustee, and before becoming a Trustee be authorized by an Entity Member that while a Trustee and during the one year immediately before becoming a Trustee:
Occupies and Uses electric energy Provided by the Cooperative at a Location within the Trustee District from which the Trustee is nominated or elected.

Trustee Disqualification.
After being elected, designated, or appointed, if a Trustee does not comply with all General Trustee Qualifications, Membership Trustee Qualifications, and Independence Trustee Qualifications (collectively, “Trustee Qualifications”) existing when the Trustee was elected, or appointed, then, except as otherwise provided by the Board for good cause, the Board by a two-thirds vote may disqualify the Trustee and the individual is no longer a Trustee if:

the Board notifies the Trustee in writing or Electronically of the basis for, and provides the Trustee an opportunity to comment regarding, the Board’s proposed disqualification; and
within 30 days after the Board notifies the Trustee of the proposed disqualification, the Trustee neither complies with nor meets the Trustee Qualification.
if a majority of Trustees authorized by these Bylaws comply with the Trustee Qualifications and approves a Board action, then the failure of a Trustee to comply with the Trustee Qualifications does not affect the Board action.

I understand that the information I provide in this application will be used by the cooperative to inform the members of my intention to run for trustee, as well as provide information on my qualifications to serve the cooperative

I understand

Personal Information

First Name

Last Name

name@domain.com

Mailing Address

Zip Code

FreeState Account Number

If you go by a name other than your legal first name and you'd prefer that we call you by that name, enter that name below.

(Example: Your name is William, but you prefer to be called Bill.)

Preferred Name

Brief Bio

Please provide us with a brief bio. You may cut and paste a bio here or provide bullet points and cooperative staff will write a biography using the information provided. Your biography should not exceed 300 words.

Provide biographical information.

Photo

Please provide us with a photo of yourself. You can upload a photo directly. If you need assistance with getting a photo, please contact our office.

Upload a photo of yourself.

Education and Experience

In this section you can provide information about where you earned any degrees or certifications. You also have the opportunity to talk about your community experience. You may use lists here.

Tell us about your educational background

Do you have any awards or honors to share?

What is your community or board experience?

These questions are designed to provide your perspective and insight into cooperative board service to our members.

Questions and Answers

Please answer as thoroughly as possible and keep your responses to 500 words or less. These answered will be published as received.

Explain the Cooperative Difference.

What are three critical issues that you believe the cooperative should focus on in the next few years? (You may use a list format)

What interests you most about serving on the board of trustees?

What knowledge and expertise would you bring to FreeState's board and members?

As a trustee, how would you promote the cooperative in your community?

What makes you the ideal trustee?

You're almost ready to submit your application!

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

In accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy of FreeState Electric Cooperative, all applicants who apply for consideration to the FreeState board of trustees are required to provide the following information.

Do any member(s) of your immediate family currently work at FreeState Electric Cooperative or currently serve as a member of the FreeState Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees?

A member of one’s immediate family means:

Spouse
A child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece or the spouse of any such person
A person having a step-relationship described above
Parents-in-law, brothers -or sisters-in-law, sons-or daughters-in-law
Any person who resides in the same household as you.

Do you work for, or have dealings with any of the following?

Enterprise which sells electric energy or services
Enterprise that sells services or supplies to FreeState.

Do you have a conflict of interest?

No conflictI have a conflict

Signature and Submit

The information I have provided is true to the best of my knowledge and I understand that any misrepresentation of information on this form may be grounds for denial of employment or my immediate dismissal from the process or board if elected. I also understand that my application does not entitle me to placement on the trustee slate and that I must go through the nomination process.

I understand

By typing my name into this box I agree that this represents my signature and give FreeState Electric Cooperative permission to utilize my information to initiate my participation in the cooperative election process.

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