Column from Central's interim CEO, Sondra White

After a long annual meeting day filled with ballots, buckets, and more vehicles than we could count, I finally took a moment to reflect. The word that kept coming to mind was gratitude.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Meeting on October 1. Your participation is the foundation of our cooperative, and we are grateful to have witnessed Central’s members bring life to the cooperative difference.

As members, you are the heart of our cooperative. Unlike investor-owned utilities, where profits are distributed to shareholders, our cooperative is owned by you—the members we proudly serve. Your involvement, especially in voting on important bylaw amendments at Annual Meeting, keeps our cooperative strong, accountable and successful.

This year’s drive-thru meeting was a resounding success, with two important bylaw amendments passed. These amendments help clarify board member terms and combine board officer positions, all made possible by your engagement. Your participation is what ensures Central remains a member-driven organization.

We greatly appreciate our dedicated board of trustees, who volunteered at each meeting location to connect with you directly and listen to your valuable feedback. These conversations help us understand not only your concerns but also the positive impact we’re making in areas that matter most to you.

Thank you to our amazing staff and credentials committee volunteers, whose hard work ensured the event ran smoothly and in accordance with our bylaws. It is this combined commitment, paired with your active participation, that allows Central to thrive as a cooperative.

As we move forward, I encourage all members to remain engaged in the future of our cooperative. Your voice, your vote, and your involvement are what make the cooperative difference. Together, we will continue to ensure that Central remains strong and successful for years to come.