Against my pushy nature, I have tried to “Hamau, leo ‘ole” (shut my mouth) and use my active listening skills in order to learn and better understand life’s lessons during the past year. Though being quiet can be a good
Against my pushy nature, I have tried to “Hamau, leo ‘ole” (shut my mouth) and use my active listening skills in order to learn and better understand life’s lessons during the past year. Though being quiet can be a good thing, there are times when it is important to speak up.
I have shared this writing with the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative chief executive officer and chairman of the board prior to release.
This is expected of me as a director, so I have complied and fully disclosed my statements, in accordance with the Administrative Policy Code of Ethics. Also, I have adhered to Board Policy No. 7, where the custom is addressed that the chairman is spokesman for the board unless another is authorized by the board. Therefore, I am not speaking as a representative or board member of KIUC. I am speaking for myself.
One intention with this writing is to dispel any conspiracy theories about the recent board resignation. I also have a subsequent suggestion for consideration relating to the board vacancy.
On March 29, a week after the March 22 KIUC election, board member Alfred Laureta announced his resignation from the board of directors effective April 30. Almost everyone I meet asks me if there was a conspiracy that a director had waited until just after the election before announcing his resignation.
A front page article posted April 3 in The Garden Island also noted in the second paragraph about the timing of the announcement after the election.
In my opinion, there is no conspiracy and Alfred Laureta sincerely wanted to complete the third year of his term. When a director resigns, one should take the person at his word and accept the reasons stated. He resigned because of health and he wanted to spend time with his family.
Alfred Laureta is friendly, fair and one of the most objective directors on the board. He will be missed by all at KIUC, and I will also miss him as a “traveling partner” when going to national cooperative conferences.
The situation being as it is, the board has the authority as stated in the bylaws to fill the vacancy for the unexpired one-year term by a majority vote of the directors in office. The board could also decline to fill the vacancy. Board Policy No. 20 regarding appointments to fill board vacancies provides some guidance and states, “Such appointments, however, must also attempt to avoid the impression of favoritism.”
For the full policy, visit www.kiuc.coop/indexboard.htm
The proximity of the election to the vacancy warrants the democratic principle to be strongly considered as a factor in the decision for selecting a new director. This is my opinion, not KIUC policy, nor am I promulgating policy. However, nothing in KIUC policy prohibits the board from following the results of the recent election. After all, only 123 votes separates the third and fourth candidates. Out of 7,341 votes cast last month, 3,116 members voted for the fourth place holder.
It will take five votes minimum to fill the vacancy at the next regular board meeting when the item is on the agenda. In support of KIUC’s democratic principle, at the next regular KIUC board meeting I will encourage board members to consider a vote that reflects the recently expressed will of over 3,000 members. The appointed board member will then be allowed to represent the members who voted for him as a candidate.
The new director, once appointed, would serve beginning May 1 until the term expires after the next election. The next board meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the KIUC building, 4463 Pahe‘e St., Lihu‘e.
As a KIUC director, I encourage compliance with Policy Nos. 18 and 20, both addressing board vacancy guidance. Neither policy prohibits board members from voting in favor of the democratic choice. Policies allow board members to vote for any qualified applicant. I am not promulgating any policy change.
The KIUC cooperative principle titled “Democratic Member Control” states, “Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.” To read more, visit www.kiuc.coop/indexabout.htm
Quoting from a training manual offered by the National Rural Electric Utilities Cooperative Association, “Cooperative boards have an obligation to ensure the fifth cooperative principle to ‘educate, train and inform’ member-owners about their business. How well the cooperative adheres to this principal plays a vital role in how the membership and public views your cooperative.”
• Carol Bain is one of nine members to the board of directors of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, the island’s utility. She is a resident of Puhi and owns a media production company.
