From the Top – Dec. 2025 | OEC News

There’s something energizing about seeing a long line of headlights forming on a crisp October morning—members rolling down their windows to say hello, ask a question or cast a vote, all from the comfort of their cars. That simple act of participation says a lot about the strength of our co-op and the people behind it.

Record Turnout Reflects Member Commitment

Thanks to you, our 2025 Drive-Thru Annual Meeting was the most successful yet. We registered 4,628 members, nearly 10% of our membership, a new record for us. Whether you came for the bill credit, the giveaway or the chance to help guide the direction of OEC, we’re grateful you showed up.

This year marked our third Drive-Thru Annual Meeting, and each one has taught us how to do it better. We listened to your feedback and made a few key changes. We widened the tents and added lanes to help large vehicles move more easily. We streamlined the traffic pattern to avoid confusion. And we simplified voting by including ballots directly in the mailed invitations. Those minor upgrades made a big difference, and we’ll continue to build on them next year.

Business Matters: A Transparent Process

The business side of the meeting was straightforward. Members overwhelmingly approved the 2024 financials and last year’s meeting minutes. It’s a quiet but important part of the process, keeping things transparent, member-led and on track. While it may not be the most exciting part of the day, this annual vote is a key responsibility of membership. It’s the official forum where members help steer the co-op’s direction and hold us accountable.

At the heart of it all are the people: our team and our members. If you stopped by, you probably noticed the friendly faces guiding traffic, registering vehicles or answering questions. That kind of service reflects who we are and what we believe in: meeting members where they are and making their experience as smooth as possible.

We’re already reviewing ways to improve next year’s meeting. Our goal is to make it easy, efficient and meaningful for every member who participates.

Looking Ahead

Thank you again for showing up, casting your vote and making this co-op stronger with your involvement. We’re proud to serve you, not just at the Annual Meeting, but every day.