Several hundred SWRE members and guests attended the 2007 Annual meeting held August 9 in Altus.

SWRE Board President Fred Stowe noted that 2007 marks 70 years of SWRE service and he discussed the can-do spirit of the area residents who organized the co-op in 1937.

SWRE CEO Mike Hagy introduced the co-op’s employees and thanked them for their dedicated service. He also introduced the co-op’s board, attorney, and special guests.

Larry Watkins, general manager of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC), greeted the SWRE members and discussed the global factors that currently impact energy prices. He warned that Congressional response to the issue of global warming presents the possibility of drastic energy price increases.

Jade Terbush of Navajo School and Nick Lehman of Vernon shared their experiences as 2007 Youth Tour winners. Both thanked SWRE members for providing them with the experience of visiting Washington, D.C. and told how the trip was an inspiring experience for them.

The number of registered members at the meeting narrowly failed to meet the required quorum. No business items were scheduled for consideration. Co-op attorney Loyd Benson announced that, lacking a quorum, approval of minutes from the 2006 annual meeting will be held until the 2008 meeting.

High point of the Annual Meeting, as always, was a prize drawing. Ninety-nine prizes were given away at the event, including 50 energy certificates and numerous items that were donated by SWRE’s vendor companies and agencies.