Manager Connection - Annual Meeting 2026

Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric is preparing for its 90th annual meeting Tuesday, June 2, at our headquarters in Owatonna. 

It’s a great opportunity for myself, the co-op’s board of directors, and employees to chat with our member-owners about their membership and the annual meeting. 

We hope you’ll join us as we’ll open the doors at 9 that morning at 2411 W. Bridge St., with designated parking on the grounds, and golf car shuttles to and from the meeting, which will start promptly at 10:30. 

It’s the third year for the mail-in ballot for electing directors. The mail-in ballot will be arriving the week of April 27, and they need to be received by Survey & Ballot Systems by 10 a.m., Friday, May 29, to be counted. There won’t be any in-person voting at the annual meeting, but the results will be announced at the meeting. You may learn more about the candidates on Page 3 of this month’s Sparks newsletter. 

Prior to the start of the annual meeting, co-op employees will be registering members with the postcards being mailed the week of May 18. While members may bring a guest, only members will be eligible for prizes and giveaways. If you are a member who can’t attend, you may not have someone else submit your postcard for prizes given to those members able to attend. 

The co-op will continue our practice of collecting non-perishable items for an area food shelf. Donors will receive an LED lightbulb in appreciation for their generosity. 1094986

If you can’t stay for the annual meeting, members may register that morning, prior to 10:30, in person or by utilizing the drive-thru option, and receive the giveaways for members. Non-perishables for a local food shelf will also be collected at the drive-thru location at Steele-Waseca.

The meeting will also share a few brief business updates and recognize our two Youth Tour delegates who will be representing Steele-Waseca during the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour, June 15-20. 

Spending time with you and hearing your take on our energy future is important to us. Consumer needs and changing technology impact how we manage and deliver energy to local homes, schools, businesses and farms. 

As we navigate through changes in the coming years, we need to hear from you and your neighbors to best plan to meet the long-term needs of all member-owners. 

Our board of directors are comprised of nine members who live and work in our service area, so they are in the best position to know where community investments are most needed. Our board members come from all areas of our territory and care about our communities. 

Every year, Steele-Waseca invest funds to make updates to our local system, which helps maintain reliability and grid resilience. 

We’re a co-op and our business model is meant to serve the members and the communities in which it operates. 

Our core purpose and mission is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power. We hope you’ll exercise the benefits of your co-op membership and join us for our 90th annual meeting. We’re looking forward to seeing you!