MEDIA STATEMENT – released in late February
FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DECATUR COUNTY REMC On Resolution of Censure –
Greensburg, Ind. (Feb. 26, 2021) — The Decatur County REMC Board of Directors met
Thursday and passed by 5-2 vote a Resolution to Censure Director Jeff Lawrence effective
immediately.
The Resolution to Censure is the Board’s formal action to disapprove and condemn Director
Lawrence’s multiple board policy violations, and his failure to fulfill his fiduciary duty as a
Director for Decatur County REMC as mandated by the cooperative’s bylaws.
The resolution is intended to bring an end to Director Lawrence’s repeated policy infractions,
which have taken time and attention away from important board proceedings that should be
dedicated to member-focused initiatives.
Director Lawrence has received seven official notices of violation since 2018, with the latest
notice given earlier this month. Violations include, but are not limited to, speaking on behalf of
the Board to third parties without authorization; disclosing confidential employee information;
failing to follow processes for requesting information from DCREMC employees; and interacting
with employees in discourteous and harassing manner.
This resolution serves as the final warning to Director Lawrence to discontinue actions that do
not meet the standards of conduct for Directors, imposes a sanction that he will not receive
board compensation for a period of five months, and further states that future violations will
result in the Director disqualification and removal proceedings.
The Board will inform our members if there are future actions related to this resolution, but at
this time, we will provide no additional comments.
To view the cooperative’s complete Bylaws and Policies, visit dcremc.com/governance.
The following letter was written as a response to that action.
To Decatur County REMC Member-Owners:
As member-owners of the Decatur County REMC, we are dissatisfied with the actions of the board to censure one of its own directors.
The REMC is suppose to be a cooperative business owned by’ and ‘operated for the benefit of its members. Member-owners elect directors to represent them in the operation of the cooperative. The board needs to remember that the cooperative functions for the benefit of its member owners. Therefore, the directors must be attentive and understand the needs and desires of the member-owners.
Jeff Lawrence is one of the few directors who diligently works to represent the membership. He is passionate about the cooperative serving all members fairly and equitably. He is not influenced or swayed easily by others. Nor does he comply with the recommendations and desires of the general manager and/or other electric entities without careful consideration. Mr. Lawrence takes his responsibility to the members of this cooperative very seriously and works to ensure that the DCREMC operates efficiently and economically for the member-owners. It appears, some member-owners, when elected to director positions, lose sight of their responsibility to the membership. Perhaps a director becomes captivated by the status and/or benefits of this new position. Soon, this type of director tends to “follow-the-crowd” and disregards the concerns and interests of the member-owners.
In a few months, it will be time to elect directors for three districts of the DCREMC. Member-owners need to decide whether they want directors who just “follow-the-crowd” or directors who will make prudent business decisions and protect our assets.
Thank you,
Concerned DCREMC Member-Owners
Leo J. Fullenkamp, K. Jeff Morgan, William E. Graves, Marvin Narwold, Jay Hatton, Paul E. Riedeman , David Holtkamp, Joe Stein, Calvin F. Tipton , William J. Wietlisbach