If you are interested in running for the board, you may follow these steps to submit your petition:

1. If you are unsure of your board district, you may call our offices during regular business hours to get more information.
2. If you would like to get certified as a candidate, obtain a digital version of the petition packet by emailing alex@smpa.com.
3. Within this packet, all forms marked with a purple “Complete and return” stamp must be returned to SMPA. You are encouraged to return the 1) candidate photo, 2) interview answers and 3) contact information and permissions in digital form. (Scan to .pdf or .jpg, and email to alex@smpa.com.)
4. The original notarized attestation of nominee certification should be mailed or turned in physically.  If necessary, please call (970) 209-5593 to make arrangements on where and when to drop it off.
5. All petitions nominating members for candidacy must be submitted by the Petition Deadline of April 3rd.  Fifteen valid nominations are required  These may be submitted in several ways:
   • Traditional Nomination utilizes petition pages that are physically circulated and signed.  If necessary, please call (970) 209-5593 to make arrangements on where and when to drop it off.
   • In response to the special circumstances regarding social distancing and the COVID-19 virus, SMPA identified three alternative methods for collecting signatures. These alternatives are still acceptable. They are explained in this update.
6. Time permitting, before the deadline, we will check over your signatures and give you a call to let you know if you have submitted the minimum number of valid signatures, or if there are any other requirements that you still need to meet.
7. After submitting your packet, you will be contacted by our Independent Election Monitor. If you have met all the certification requirements, he will certify your candidacy over the phone.

SMPA members wishing to run for a seat on the SMPA Board of Directors must review these qualifications and attest that they meet them and that, if elected, they will continue to meet them throughout their directorship.

1. A candidate for election as Director of a district, each Director elected to serve, and each Director appointed by the Board of Directors must be and remain throughout that person’s term as Director:
   (i) a natural person;
   (ii) a Member in good standing of the Cooperative;
   (iii) legally capable of entering into legally binding contracts;
   (iv) within the past five (5) years, be not convicted of or plead guilty to a felony or to any crime of dishonesty, computer misuse, gambling, financial matters or other crimes which, in the judgment of a majority of the current Board, warrant disqualification;
   (v) not be financially interested in a competing enterprise or business selling electric energy or electric supplies to the Cooperative;
   (vi) not be employed in a managerial or sales capacity by a competing enterprise or a business selling electric energy or electric supplies to the Cooperative except local renewable and net meter accounts which have agreements with the Cooperative and are in compliance with Cooperative policies; 
   (vii) free of any continuing and substantial personal interest that is in conflict with the best interests of the Cooperative;
   (viii) not a relative (as defined in the Bylaws) of any employee of the Cooperative;
   (ix) not be employed by the Cooperative within the past three (3) years;
   (x) not be an attorney hired by the Cooperative within the past three (3) years;
   (xi) not previously removed as a Director.
   (xii) a user of electric energy provided by the Cooperative.
   (xiii) a resident of that district.
    
2. The candidate/director shall, if elected, discharge his/her duties in good faith, with care an ordinary prudent person would exercise, and in the Cooperative’s best interests.
    
3. The candidate/director should be willing to represent the membership on a fair and impartial basis for the good of and in the best interest of all members.
    
4. The candidate/director must be willing to attend regularly scheduled board meetings and to attend national, state and local meetings where the interest of the Cooperative is concerned.  The nominee must also be willing to attend Director training institutes and seminars, which will aid in keeping him/her informed on matters affecting the interests of the Cooperative.
    
5. The candidate/director should be aware that members of the Board of Directors serve without salary and on a fee basis for the time given to regularly scheduled affairs of the Cooperative, and in addition, they will be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses in connection with such scheduled activities.
    
6. The candidate/director should agree to serve the term of office to which elected until a successor has been appointed or elected. 
    
7. The candidate/director understands that, if elected, no relative (as defined in the Bylaws) of the nominee will be eligible to become or remain an employee of the Cooperative.
    
8. The candidate/director must be willing to uphold the mission of the Cooperative which is to demonstrate corporate responsibility and community service while providing our members with safe, reliable, cost effective, and environmentally responsible electric service.