Bylaws

Index

Article I - Members

Section 1.01 - Qualification, Applications, and Obligations

Section 1.02 - Joint Membership

Section 1.03 - Purchase of Electric Energy

Section 1.04 - Power Production by Member

Section 1.05 - Wiring of Premises; Responsibility Therefor; Responsibility for Meter Tampering or Bypassing and for Damage to Association Properties; Extent of Association Responsibility; Indemnification

Section 1.06 - Member to Grant Easements

Section 1.07 - Non-Liability for Debts of the Association

Article II - Membership Suspension & Termination

Section 2.01 - Suspension; Reinstatement

Section 2.02 - Termination by Expulsion; Renewed Membership

Section 2.03 - Withdrawal of Membership

Section 2.04 - Termination by Death or Cessation of Existence; Continuation of Membership in Remaining or New Partners

Section 2.05 - Effect of Termination

Section 2.06 - Effect of Death, Legal Separation, or Divorce upon a Joint Membership

Section 2.07 - Board Acknowledgment of Membership Termination; Acceptance of Member Retroactively

Article III - Meetings of Members

Section 3.01 - Annual Meeting

Section 3.02 - Special Meetings

Section 3.03 - Notice of Members’ Meetings

Section 3.04 - Quorum

Section 3.05 - Voting

Section 3.06 - Proxies

Section 3.07 - Representative Voting

Section 3.08 - Order of Business

Article IV - Directors

Section 4.01 - General Powers

Section 4.02 - Districts

Section 4.03 - Tenure & Qualifications

Section 4.04 - Nominations; Committee on Nominations; Nominations by Petition; Credentials and Elections Committee

Section 4.05 - Removal of Directors and Officers

Section 4.06 - Vacancies

Section 4.07 - Compensation, Reimbursement, Employment of Relatives

Section 4.08 - “Close Relative” Defined

Section 4.09 - Rules and Regulations

Section 4.10 - Accounting Systems and Reports

Section 4.11 - Indemnification and Liability Insurance

Article V - Meetings of Directors

Section 5.01 - Regular Meetings

Section 5.02 - Attendance by Members at Meetings

Section 5.03 - Special Meetings

Section 5.04 - Notice

Section 5.05 - Quorum

Article VI - Officers

Section 6.01 - Number

Section 6.02 - Election and Term of Office

Section 6.03 - Removal

Section 6.04 - Vacancies

Section 6.05 - President

Section 6.06 - Vice President

Section 6.07 - Secretary

Section 6.08 - Treasurer

Section 6.09 - Delegation of Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Responsibilities

Section 6.10 - General Manager

Section 6.11 - Bonds of Officers

Section 6.12 - Compensation

Section 6.13 - Reports

Article VII - Contracts, Checks, & Deposits

Section 7.01 - Contracts

Section 7.02 - Checks, Drafts, Etc.

Section 7.03 - Deposits

Article VIII - Non-Profit Operation

Section 8.01 - Interest or Dividends on Capital Prohibited

Section 8.02 - Patronage Capital in Connection with Furnishing Electric Energy

Section 8.03 - Dissolution or Liquidation

Section 8.04 - Patronage Refunds in Connection with Furnishing Other Services

Article IX - Access to Association Records

Section 9.01 - Access to Corporate Records

Article X - Sale or Lease of Assets of the Association

Section 10.01 - Vote of the Members not Required

Section 10.02 - Vote Required

Section 10.03 - Procedural Requirements

Section 10.04 - Required Disclosure

Section 10.05 - Competing Bid Disclosure

Section 10.06 - Effect of Noncompliance

Section 10.07 - Non-Application to Consolidation

Section 10.08 - Severability

Article XI - Miscellaneous

Section 11.01 - Membership in Other Organizations

Section 11.02 - Waiver of Notice

Section 11.03 - Fiscal Year

Section 11.04 - Seal

Section 11.05 - Amendments

Section 11.06 - Robert’s Rules of Order

Article I - Members

Section 1.01. Qualifications, Applications, & Obligations

1. Any person, firm, corporation, or body politic, upon providing sufficient identification, may become a member of Natchez Trace Electric Power Association, herein called “Association” by:
   1. making a written application therefor; and
   2. paying the membership fee hereinafter specified; and
   3. agreeing to purchase from the Association electric energy as hereinafter specified; and
   4. agreeing to comply with and be bound by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Association and by these bylaws and any amendments thereto and such rules and regulations as may from time to time be adopted by the Board of Directors.
2. All applications received more than 90 days prior to an annual membership meeting and which have not been ratified by the Board of Directors at least 31 days prior to the meeting shall be submitted by the Board of Directors to such meeting of the members, and subject to compliance by the applicant with the conditions set forth in subdivisions (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section, such application for membership may be accepted by a vote of the members at such meeting. The secretary shall give any such applicant at least 10 days notice of the date of the members’ meeting to which his application will be submitted and such applicant may be present and heard at the meeting. No person, firm, corporation, or body politic may own more than 1 membership in the Association.
3. With respect to any particular classification of service for which the Board of Directors shall require it, such application shall be accompanied by a supplemental contract, executed by the applicant on such form as is provided therefor by the Association. The membership application shall be accompanied by any easement, service security deposit, service connection deposit or fee, facilities extension deposit, or contribution in aid of construction that may be required by the Association, which easement and fees (including such service security deposit, service connection fee, facilities extension deposit, or contribution in aid of construction if any) shall be refunded in the event the application is not ratified. Any former member of the Association may, by the sole act of paying a new membership fee and any outstanding account with interest (together with any service security deposit, service connection fee, facilities extension deposit, or contribution in aid of construction that may be required by the Association), renew and reactivate any prior application for membership to the same effect as though the application had been newly made on the date of such payment.
4. The membership fee shall be as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The membership fee (together with any service security deposit, or service connection fee, facilities extension deposit, or contribution in aid of construction, or any combination thereof, if required by the Association) shall entitle the member to as many service connections as he may desire and the Association is agreeable to furnishing. A service connection fee in such amount as shall be prescribed by the Association (together with a service security deposit, a facilities extension deposit, or contribution in aid of construction, if required by the Association) shall be paid by the member for each additional service connection requested by him.

Section 1.02. Joint Membership

Husband and wife will be accepted into the membership as joint members unless otherwise specified in the application for membership. The husband and wife should sign such application if receiving service at the same connection. If 1 of them is already a member, they may if so desired convert such membership into a joint 1 upon written notice to the Association. The words “member,” “applicant,” “person,” “he,” “his,” and “him,” as used in these bylaws, shall include husband and wife applying for or holding a joint membership, unless otherwise clearly distinguished in the text; and all provisions relating to the rights, powers, terms, conditions, obligations, responsibilities, and liabilities of membership shall apply equally, severally and jointly to them. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing --

1. the execution by either or both of a proxy shall constitute 1 joint proxy; provided, that if both shall execute a proxy, but be in disagreement on such vote,
   each shall constitute only ½ vote.
2. the presence at a meeting of either or both shall constitute the presence of 1 member and a joint waiver of notice of the meeting and a revocation of any proxy executed by either, or both pursuant to Section 3.06 of these bylaws;
3. the vote of either or both shall constitute, respectively, 1 joint proxy; provided, that if both be present in disagreement on such vote, each shall cast only ½ vote;
4. notice to, or waiver of notice signed by, either or both shall constitute, respectively, a joint notice or waiver of notice;
5. suspension or termination in any manner of either shall constitute, respectively, suspension or termination of the joint membership except as provided by Section 2.06;
6. either, but not both concurrently, shall be eligible to serve as a director of the Association.

Section 1.03. Purchase of Electric Energy

Each member shall, as soon as electric energy is made available, purchase from the Association all electric energy used other than is provided in Section 1.04 on the premises specified in the member’s application for membership, and shall pay therefor monthly at the applicable rate schedule which shall from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors. It is expressly understood that amounts paid for electric energy in excess of the operating costs and expenses of providing service are furnished by members as capital, and each member may be credited with the capital so furnished, as provided in these bylaws.

The Association cannot and therefore does not guarantee an uninterrupted and continuous supply of electric energy. Additionally, the Board of Directors may limit the amount of electric energy the Association shall be required to furnish to any 1 member. Each member applicant shall assume liability and make payment for the following:

1. The account for which electric power service is rendered by the Association, at the location for which application for service is made.
2. Any delinquent account or amount owed to the Association where the member or applicant has resided at the location receiving service but only for such delinquency or account which occurred while the member or applicant was a resident.

Each applicant will furnish sufficient identification to verify their true identity and any previous addresses required by the Association.

Section 1.04. Power Production by Member

Production or use of electric energy on such premises, regardless of the source thereof, by means of facilities which shall be interconnected with Association facilities shall be subject to appropriate regulations as shall be fixed from time to time by the Association.

Notice of the presence or intent to construct such co-generation facilities upon the premises shall be given to the Association. Compliance with the National Electric Safety Code and TVA requirements are prerequisites before any interconnection with the Association facilities may be allowed.

Section 1.05. Wiring of Premises; Responsibility Therefor; Responsibility for Meter Tampering, or Bypassing, & for Damage to Association Properties; Extent of Association Responsibility; Indemnification

Each member shall cause all premises receiving electric service, pursuant to his membership, to become and to remain wired in accordance with the specifications of the Mississippi Insurance Underwriters Association, the National Electrical Code, the National Electrical Safety Code, any applicable state code or local government ordinances, and of the Association, it being understood and agreed that the connection by the Association, to the members premises shall not in any way or manner constitute the Association’s approval of the member’s wiring or the safety or adequacy of the same. Each member shall be responsible for and shall indemnify the Association and its employees, agents, and independent contractors against death, injury, loss, or damage resulting from any defect in or improper use or maintenance of such premises and all wiring apparatuses connected thereto or used thereon. Each member shall make available to the Association a suitable site, as determined by the Association, whereon to place the Association’s physical facilities for the furnishing and metering of electric service and shall permit the Association’s authorized employees, agents, and independent contractors to have access thereto for meter reading and for inspection, operation, maintenance, replacement, relocation, or repair of such facilities at all reasonable times. As part of the consideration for such service, each member shall be the Association’s bailee of such facilities and shall accordingly desist from interfering with, impairing the operation of, or causing damage to such facilities, and shall use his best efforts to prevent others from doing so. Each member shall also provide such protective devices to their premises, apparatuses, or meter base as the Association shall from time to time require in order to protect the Association’s physical facilities and their operation and to prevent any interferences with or damage to such facilities. In the event such facilities are interfered with, impaired in their operation, or damaged by the member, or by any other person when the member’s reasonable care and surveillance should have prevented such, the member shall indemnify the Association and its employees, agents, and independent contractors against death, injury, loss, or damage resulting therefrom, including but not limited to the Association’s cost of repairing, replacing, or relocating any such facilities and its loss, if any, of revenues resulting from the failure or defective functioning of its metering equipment. The Association shall, however, in accordance with its applicable service rules and regulations, indemnify the member for any overcharges for service that may result from a malfunctioning of its metering equipment or any error occurring in the Association’s billing procedures. In no event shall the responsibility of the Association extend beyond the point of
delivery.

Section 1.06. Member to Grant Easements

Each member if legally able shall, upon being requested to do so by the Association, execute, without compensation, and deliver to the Association grants of easement or right-of-way over, on, across, and under such lands owned or occupied by the member, and in accordance with such reasonable terms and conditions, as the Association shall require for the furnishing of electric service to him or other members or for the construction, extension, improvement, operation, maintenance or relocation of the Association’s electric facilities.

Section 1.07. Non-Liability for Debts of the Association

The private property of the members of the Association shall be exempt from execution for the debts of the Association and no member shall be individually liable or responsible for any debts or liabilities of the Association.

Article II - Membership Suspension & Termination

Section 2.01. Suspension; Reinstatement

Upon the failure, after the expiration of the initial time limit prescribed in a specific written notice to a member, to pay any amounts due the Association, a person’s membership shall automatically be suspended; all services shall be disconnected and such person shall not during such suspension be entitled to receive electric service from the Association or to cast a vote at any meeting of the members. For any other noncompliance with membership obligations, the Board of Directors may suspend such member 5 days after notice of such non-compliance is given. Payment of all amounts due the Association, including any additional charges required for service reinstatement, and/or cessation of any other non-compliance with his membership obligations within a final time limit provided in such notice or rules and regulations shall automatically reinstate the membership in which event the member shall thereafter be entitled to receive electric service from the Association and to vote at the meeting of its members.

Section 2.02. Termination by Expulsion; Renewed Membership

Upon failure of a suspended member to be automatically reinstated to membership as provided in Section 2.01, the member may, without further notice, but only after due process hearing if such is requested by the member, be expelled by resolution of the Board of Directors at any subsequently held regular or special meeting of the Board. Any person so expelled may, by delivering written notice to that effect to the Association at least 10 days prior to the next meeting of the members, appeal to and be present and heard at such meeting, which may vote approval of such expulsion or disapproval thereof, in which the latter event such person’s membership shall be reinstated retroactively to the date of expulsion. After any finally effective expulsion of a member, such person may not again become a member except upon new application therefor duly approved as provided in Section 1.01. The Board of Directors, acting upon principles of general application in such cases, may establish such additional terms and conditions for renewed membership as it determines to be reasonably necessary to assure the applicant’s compliance with all his membership obligations.

Section 2.03. Withdrawal of Membership

Any member may withdraw from membership upon payment in full of all debts and liabilities of such member to the Association and upon compliance with such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may prescribe, thus terminating membership and service.

Section 2.04. Termination by Death or Cessation of Existence; Continuation of Membership in Remaining or New Partners

Except as provided in Section 2.06, the death of an individual human member shall automatically terminate membership. 1 not a joint member but who continues to reside at the location receiving service may succeed to the membership upon application therefore subject to the provisions of Section 1.01 and upon proper assignment or proof of legal entitlement. The cessation of the legal existence of any other type of member shall automatically terminate such membership; provided, that upon the dissolution for any reason of a partnership, or upon the death, withdrawal, or addition of any individual partner, such membership shall automatically terminate and a new membership shall be required; provided further, that neither a withdrawing partner nor its estate shall be released from any debts then due the Association.

Section 2.05 Effect of Termination

Upon the termination in any manner of a person’s membership, or its estate, as the case may be, said member shall be entitled to a refund of the membership fee (and to his service security deposit, if any, theretofore paid the Association), less any amount due the Association; but neither the member nor its estate, as the case may be, shall be released from any debts or other obligations then remaining due the Association. Notwithstanding the suspension or expulsion of a member as provided for in Sections 2.01 and 2.02, such suspension or expulsion shall not, unless the Board of Directors shall expressly so elect, constitute such release of such person from membership obligations as to entitle him to purchase from any other source any central station’s electric power and energy for use at the premises to which such service has theretofore been furnished by the Association pursuant to such membership.

Section 2.06. Effect of Death, Legal Separation, or Divorce upon a Joint Membership

Upon the death of either spouse of a joint membership, such membership shall continue to be held solely by the survivor, in the same manner and to the same effect as though such membership had never been joint; provided, that the estate of the deceased spouse shall not be released from any debts due the Association. Upon the legal separation or divorce of the holders of a joint membership, such membership shall continue to be held solely by the one who continues to directly occupy or own the premises covered by such membership in the same manner and to the same effect as though such membership had never been joint; provided, that the other spouse shall not be released from any debts due the Association.

Section 2.07. Board Acknowledgment of Membership Termination; Acceptance of Member Retroactively

Upon the termination of a person’s membership for any reason, the Board of Directors as soon as practicable after such termination is made known to it, shall by appropriate resolution formally acknowledge such termination, effective as of the date on which the Association ceased furnishing electric service to such person. Upon discovery that the Association has been furnishing electric service to any person other than a member, it shall cease furnishing such service unless such person applies for, and the Board of Directors approves, membership retroactively to that date on which such person first began receiving such service, in which event the Association, to the extent practicable, shall correct its membership and all related records accordingly; provided, that if the Association acquires facilities which are already providing electric services to patrons not members of the Association, the Association may continue furnishing such preexisting service without requiring such patrons to become members if to do otherwise would create hardship.

In no event, however, shall such non-member patron revenue exceed 15% of the total revenue received by the Association.

Article III - Meetings of Members

Section 3.01. Annual Meeting

For the purposes of electing directors, hearing and passing upon reports covering the previous fiscal year, and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting, the annual meeting of the members shall be held on the 4th Monday of the month of April each year, at such place in 1 of the counties of Mississippi within which the Association serves, and beginning at such hour, as the Board of Directors shall from year to year fix; provided, that, for cause sufficient, the Board of Directors may fix a different date for such annual meeting not more than 45 days prior or subsequent to the day otherwise established for such meeting in this section. Failure to hold the annual meeting at the designated time and place shall not work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Association. It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Directors to make adequate plans and preparation for the annual meeting, and to encourage attendance by the membership at these meetings.

Section 3.02. Special Meetings

Special meetings of the members may be called by at least a majority of directors or upon written request signed by at least 10% of the members and it shall thereupon be the duty of the Secretary to cause notice of such meeting to be given as hereinafter provided. Special meetings of the members may be held at such place in 1 of the counties of Mississippi within which the Association serves, specified in the notice of the special meeting.

Section 3.03. Notice of Members’ Meetings

Written or printed notice stating the place, day, and hour of the meeting, and in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered to each member not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, either personally, by mail, or by association newsletter, by or at the direction of the Secretary, or by the directors or members calling the meeting. If directors are to be elected at such meeting, the notice of members’ meeting shall include a statement of the board members to be elected as provided in Section 4.04. Unless contained with such notice, no matter may be acted upon at that meeting which requires the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the members. If mailed such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the member as it appears on the records of the Association, with postage thereon prepaid. The failure of any member to receive notice of an annual or special meeting of the members shall not invalidate any action which may be taken by the members at any such meeting.

Section 3.04. Quorum

5% of the members shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members. This number shall be arrived at by adding the number of members present in person at the meeting to the number of members represented at that meeting by valid proxies filed as provided by Section 3.06 of these bylaws. Such percentage shall be computed upon the number of members in good standing as of the date of the meeting. If less than a quorum is present at any meeting of members, the President of the Association or his nominee who is presiding at the meeting, may without a motion declare the meeting adjourned and closed or he may hold the meeting open for not longer than 30 minutes to see if a quorum is present within that time; such determination being conclusive in the absence of fraud or bad faith, and the meeting shall automatically be adjourned and closed if a quorum shall not be present at the end of said 30 minute period. The members present at a meeting at which a quorum is not present shall not have the power to take any kind of action, including, but not by way of limitations, adjourning said meeting to another time or place. At all meetings of the members, whether a quorum be present or not, the Secretary shall annex to the meeting minutes, or incorporate therein by reference, a list of those members who registered as present in person.

Section 3.05. Voting

Each member who is not in a status of suspension, as provided for in Section 2.01, shall be entitled to only 1 vote upon each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of the members. A member may vote in person or by proxy. At a meeting of the members where directors are to be elected, all members present in person or by proxy may cast 1 vote for each director to be elected; each member may vote their own vote plus those proxies executed in their favor, pursuant to Section 3.06 of these bylaws. Voting by members other than members who are natural persons shall be allowed upon the presentation to Association, prior to or upon registration at each member meeting, of satisfactory evidence entitling the person presenting same to vote. At all meetings of the members, all questions shall be decided by majority of the members voting thereon, except as otherwise provided by law or by the Association’s Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws. Members may not cumulate their votes.

Section 3.06 Proxies

For the convenience of the members, at all meetings of the members a member may be considered present and may vote by proxy executed in writing by the member upon the form specified and provided to the member by the Association. In the event a member executes 2 or more proxies for the same meeting or for any adjournment thereof, the proxy last filed shall revoke all others. If 1 person shall receive electric service through 2 or more meters at different premises, he shall be entitled to vote not more than 1 vote at any meeting of the members. Only a proxy form, together with its associated mail-ballot envelope, specifically issued by the Association shall be valid.

Each proxy must be in writing, show the member’s account or member number, be signed by the member, name another member to vote the proxy, and be filed in person or by United States mail addressed to the Association, at the principal office of the Association in Chickasaw County, Mississippi at least 3 days prior to the meeting at which it is to be voted. The member may by said proxy appoint 1 other member or the Board of Directors, which shall be considered a member for the purpose of proxy voting. The date of the proxy’s receipt in the Association’s office, shall be its filing date. The proxy must designate the particular meeting at which it is to be voted, and no proxy shall be voted at any meeting other than the 1 so designated, or any adjournment of such meeting. No proxy shall be voted by anyone other than a member of the Association. No proxy shall be valid after 70 days from the date of its filing. If no member is designated on any proxy to vote the same or if the Board of Directors of the Cooperative is designated to vote the proxy, the proxy shall be voted by the Board of Directors, or its nominee. No member, other than the Board of Directors or its nominee, shall vote as proxy for more than 5 members at any meeting of the members.

The presence of a member at a meeting of members shall not revoke a proxy theretofore executed by him, and such member shall not be entitled to vote at such meeting. A proxy may be revoked only by the person who issued the proxy. The revocation must be in writing, signed by the member, dated, stating the account or member number of the member, and must be filed with the Association at its principal office in Chickasaw County, Mississippi at least 3 days prior to the scheduled starting time of the meeting at which the revoked proxy was to be voted. In the case of a joint membership, a proxy may be executed and may be revoked by either husband or wife.

If the official proxy form of a member is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the Association shall furnish the member with a replacement proxy form upon request, provided that the member executes a revocation of the lost, stolen, or destroyed form at least 3 days prior to the meeting, to be witnessed by an authorized employee of the Association. Blank proxy forms will not be distributed in bulk to any member.

Section 3.07. Representative Voting

Legal entity organizations and nonlegal entity organizations which are members of the Association may be represented at any meeting of the members and may vote only as follows: (a) Any director, officer, or general manager duly authorized in writing may represent and cast the vote of a corporation; (b) a trustee, steward, deacon, clerk or pastor duly authorized in writing may represent and cast the vote of a church; (c) a school trustee, principal or superintendent duly authorized in writing may represent and cast the vote of the school; (d) and any other associaton or organization not a legal entity may be represented by and have its vote cast by any person duly authorized in writing who is a trustee, or manager, or part owner, or any officer of such association or organization

Section 3.08. Order of Business

The order of business at the annual meetings of the members and, so far as practicable, at all other meetings of the members shall be essentially as follows, except as otherwise determined by the President of the Association or his nominee, who is presiding at such meeting:

1. Report on the existence of a quorum.
2. Reading of the notice of the meeting and proof of the due publication or mailing thereof, or the waiver or waivers of notice of the meeting.
3. Reading, or the waiver thereof, of unapproved minutes of previous meetings of the members and the taking of necessary action thereon.
4. Presentation and consideration of reports of officers, directors, and committees.
   1. Receive report of Committee on Nominations.
   2. Secretary to present petitions filed and posted for the nominations of directors.
   3. Election of directors.
5. Unfinished business.
6. New business, which has been noticed in accordance with Section 3.03 of these bylaws.
7. Adjournment.

Article IV - Directors

Section 4.01. General Powers

The business and affairs of the Association shall be managed by a Board of Directors which shall exercise all of the powers of the Association except such as are by law, or by the Articles of Incorporation of the Association, or by these bylaws conferred upon or reserved to the members.

Section 4.02. Districts

In order to assure equitable representation of the geographical areas of the Association on the Board of Directors of the Association, the territory served or to be served by the Association shall be divided into 3 districts. Each district shall be represented on the Board of Directors by 3 board members. At each annual meeting of the members, 1/3 of the total number of directors shall be elected by ballot, by and from the members, to serve for a term of 3 years as provided by law or until their successors shall have been elected and shall have qualified. Each district shall be represented by 3 directors, and the districts are described as follows:

District Number 1: The territory served or to be served within the boundaries of Chickasaw and Pontotoc Counties, Mississippi.

District Number 2: The territory served or to be served within the boundaries of Webster and Clay Counties, Mississippi.

District Number 3: The territory served or to be served within the boundaries of Calhoun, Grenada, and Yalobusha Counties, Mississippi.

Section 4.03. Tenure & Qualifications

1. At each annual meeting of the members, 1/3 of the total number of directors shall be elected by ballot, by and from the members, to serve for a term of 3 years as provided by law, provided a quorum is present as provided in these bylaws. If the election of directors shall not be held at the annual meeting or if such annual meeting is not held, each director shall hold office until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
2. Drawing by lot shall resolve, where necessary, any tie votes. If an election of directors shall not be held on the day designated for the annual meeting, a special meeting of the members may be held for the purpose of electing directors within 60 days thereafter.
3. No person shall be eligible to become or remain a director who is not an active member in good standing of the Association, has not been a bona fide resident of the district from which they are to be elected for one year immediately preceding the nomination to directorship, or who is in any way employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise.
4. No person shall be eligible to become or remain a director who has been finally convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or adjudged liable in damages for fraud.
5. In order to be eligible to become or remain a director of the Association, a person must be a member of the Association and receiving service therefrom at his primary residential abode, and not be a close relative as defined in Section 4.08 of an incumbent director, or of the director being replaced, or of an employee of the Association. Past employees shall not be eligible to serve as directors until a period of 10 years has expired after their last date of employment. When a membership is held jointly by a husband and wife, either 1 but not both may be elected a director.
6. No person shall be eligible to become or remain a director of the Association who, for reasons of age or otherwise, does not have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract.
7. Upon establishment of the fact that a nominee for director lacks eligibility under this section or as may be provided elsewhere in these bylaws, it shall be the duty of the chair presiding at the meeting at which such nominee would be otherwise voted upon to disqualify such nominee. Upon the establishment of the fact that any person being considered for, or already holding, a directorship lacks eligibility under this section or as may be provided elsewhere in these bylaws, it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to withhold such position from such person, or to cause them to be removed therefrom, as the case may be.
8. Nothing in this section contained shall, or shall be construed to, affect in any manner whatsoever, the validity of any action taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, unless such action is taken with respect to a matter which is affected by the provisions of this section and in which one or more of the directors have an intent adverse to that of the Association.

Section 4.04. Nominations; Committee on Nominations; Nominations by Petition; Credentials and Elections Committee.

1. It shall be the duty of the Board to appoint, no less than 60 days nor more than one hundred days before the date of the meeting of the members at which directors are to be elected, a Committee on Nominations consisting of not less than 5 nor more than 11 members who shall be selected from different sections so as to insure equitable geographic representation. No existing Association employees, agents, officers, directors, or known candidates for director, and close relatives (as hereinafter defined) or members of the same household of existing Association employees, agents, officers, directors, or known candidates for director may serve on such committees. The committee shall receive and consider any suggestion as to nominees submitted by members of the Association. The committee shall meet at a time and place set by the Board of Directors. The committee shall prepare and post at the principal office of the Association at least 45 days before the annual meeting a list of nominations for board members. The Secretary must mail with the notice of the meeting or separately a statement of the number of board members to be elected and the names and addresses of the candidates nominated by the Committee on Nominations and of the candidates nominated by petition, if any. Only those nominations made by the committee or by petition as described herein will be valid.
2. Any 50 members acting together may make other nominations by petition and upon validation by the Credentials and Elections Committee, the Secretary shall post such nominations at the same place where the list of nominations by the Committee on Nominations is posted. Any petition for nomination shall be submitted at least 45 days before the annual meeting on a form designated and provided by the Association. Each member signing such petition shall place thereon the date of signing, address, account or member number, and service location of the member. Nominations made by valid petition, shall be included on the official ballot.
3. The Committee on Nominations may also serve as a Credentials and Election Committee or the Board may appoint a separate committee, utilizing the same procedure as the Committee on Nominations. In the event of the failure of the Board to appoint said Credentials and Election Committee, then in that event the President of the Association or his designee of the meeting pursuant to Section 6.05 (a) shall appoint said committee during the forepart of the members meeting. It shall be the responsibility of the committee to pass upon all questions that may arise with respect to the registration and qualifications of members in person or by proxy, the regularity of all Petitions for Nominations of Directors, the qualifications of all nominees for directors, to count or supervise the count of all ballots cast in any election or other ballot vote taken, and to rule upon the effect of any ballots irregularly marked. In the exercise of its responsibility, the Credentials and Election Committee shall have available to it the advice of counsel and/or an independent Certified Public Accountant provided by the Association. In the event a protest or objection is filed concerning any election, such protest or objection must be filed during, or within 3 business days following the adjournment of, the meeting in which the voting is conducted. The Credentials and Election Committee shall thereupon be reconvened, upon notice from its chairman, not less than 7 days after such protest or objection is filed. The Committee shall hear such evidence as is presented by the protestor(s) or objector(s), who may be heard in person, by counsel, or both, and any opposing evidence; and the Credentials and Election Committee, by a vote of a majority of those present and voting, shall, within a reasonable time, but not later than 30 days after such hearing, render its decision, the result of which may be to affirm the election, to change the outcome thereof, or to set it aside. The Credentials and Election Committee’s decision (as reflected by a majority of those actually present and voting) on all matters covered by this section shall be final.
4. In the event of any meeting of the members at which directors shall not be elected, the Board of Directors shall nevertheless appoint a Credentials Committee to be appointed in the same manner as provided herein for the Committee on Nominations with full authority to finally pass upon all applicable matters herein provided as well as any other matters or questions which may be referred to it by the Chair of the meeting or the Board of Directors. The President of the Board, or the President’s designee, shall preside at and conduct all meetings of the Members with full authority to refer any questions deemed appropriate by the President or designee to the aforesaid Committee for decision.
5. Notwithstanding anything in this section contained, failure to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall not affect in any manner whatsoever the validity of any election of directors.

Section 4.05. Removal of Directors and Officers

Final convictions of a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or of a director being adjudged liable in damages for fraud will be prima facia evidence for removal of a director, by resignation or by the Board of Directors. Any member for just cause may bring charges against an officer or director by filing them with the Secretary, together with a petition signed by 10% of the members, requesting the removal of the officer or director in question. “Just cause” includes but is not limited to official misconduct or gross negligence while in the performance of official duties. The removal shall be voted upon at the next regular or special meeting of the members and any vacancy created by such removal may be filled by the members at such meeting by any lawful means. The director or officer against whom such charges have been brought shall be informed in writing of the charges previous to the meeting and shall have an opportunity at the meeting to be heard in person or by counsel and to present evidence; and the person or persons bringing the charges shall have the same opportunity.

Section 4.06. Vacancies

Subject to the provisions of these bylaws with respect to the removal of directors, vacancies occurring in the Board of Directors shall be filled by a person meeting the qualifications of Section 4.03, and elected by a majority vote of the remaining directors, and the directors thus elected shall serve the unexpired terms of the directors so replaced and until their successors shall have been elected and shall have qualified. The office of a director shall become vacant, is subject to being declared vacant, and is subject to being filled pursuant to this section if (1) the director shall have failed to attend as many as three consecutive meetings of the board, whether special or regular, and at least two-thirds of the remaining directors in office determine, in their sole judgment, that such failure did not occur for justifiable cause and will not recur; or (2) the director, as determined in their sole judgment by at least 2/3 of the remaining directors in office, has become incapable of performing the duties of a director and such incapability is not likely to cease within a reasonable time; or, (3) such director is no longer a bona fide resident of the district such director was elected to represent, and the Board finds such change of residence is permanent.

Section 4.07. Compensation, Reimbursement, Employment of Relatives

1. Directors shall be entitled to compensation for time spent and to reimbursement for expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties. Compensation of directors shall be in such amounts as may be authorized by the Board of Directors from time to time. Reimbursement to directors for expenses incurred while performing duties as such may be made either (1) by payment of the actual amount of such expenses upon presentation of an itemized account therefor, or (2) by the payment of such fixed sum for each occasion involving the performance of duties for the Association as may be authorized and deemed reasonable by the Board of Directors.
2. No close relative of any director shall receive compensation for serving the Association unless the relative
   1. has been in the regular employ of the Association for at least one year immediately preceding the time the director to whom they have become related by action to which they were not a party became a director; or
   2. performs services certified by the Board of Directors as an emergency measure, or
   3. receives compensation by authorization of the membership.

Section 4.08. “Close Relative” Defined

As used in these bylaws, “close relative” means a person who by blood or in-law, including step and adoptive kin, is either a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, nephew, or niece of the principal.

Section 4.09. Rules and Regulations

The Board of Directors shall have power to make and adopt such rules and regulations not inconsistent with law, the Articles of Incorporation of the Association, or these bylaws, as it may deem advisable for the management, administration, and regulation of the business and affairs of the Association.

Section 4.10. Accounting Systems and Reports

The Association’s accounting system shall be of the type and form as may from time to time be designated by the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service of the United States of America, Mississippi Public Service Commission, and Tennessee Valley Authority and subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations of any lawful regulatory body. A complete audit of the accounts, books and financial condition of the Association shall be made as of and as soon as practical after the end of each fiscal year by a certified public accountant. A report on such audit shall be submitted to the members at the following annual meeting. If deemed practical by the management of the Association, a summary of the financial status of the Association may be published annually, and such summary will be furnished to any member of the Association upon written request made therefor.

Section 4.11. Indemnification and Liability Insurance

1. On the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, the Association or its insurer shall indemnify any director, officer, or employee of the Association, including any former director, officer, or employee of the Association, who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by virtue of their position within the Association, for expenses, claims, liabilities, costs, judgments, fines, including attorney’s fees reasonably incurred or imposed upon such person in connection with such actual or threatened action, suit, proceeding, or investigation and against any amount reasonably and with prior approval of the Board of Directors of the Association paid in settlement of any such actual or threatened suit, action, or proceeding if:
   1. The action complained of was undertaken in good faith; and
   2. It was in good faith believed that:
      1. Actions taken in any official capacity of the Association were in its best interests;
      2. Conduct in any other capacity was at least not opposed to the Association’s best interests; and
      3. In the case of any criminal proceeding, there was no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful.

The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction is not, of itself, determinative as to whether the requisite standard of conduct has been met.

2. The purpose of this provision is to remove any financial risk in connection with the good faith service of a director, officer, or employee, and to this end the Association shall secure and maintain adequate liability insurance governing such indemnification, expenses and attorney’s fees to the extent that it is reasonable available as determined by the Board and other provisions to the contrary notwithstanding, such indemnification as herein provided shall be provided at least to the extent of any applicable insurance coverages.
3. The Association may pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director, officer, or employee who is a party to a proceeding in advance of final disposition of the proceeding if:
   1. The individual furnishes the Association a written statement of their good faith belief that they have met the standard of conduct described in Section 4.11 (a) above;
   2. The written statement reflects an agreement by the individual to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that they did not meet the standard of conduct; and
   3. A determination is made that the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude indemnification.

The undertaking required by Subsection 4.11 (c) above shall be an unlimited general obligation of the director, officer, or manager but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to financial ability to make repayment.

4. There shall be no indemnification of any director, officer, or employee of the Association if the Board of Directors affirmatively finds that they did not meet the standard of conduct outlined in Section 4.11 (a) above. In making such a determination, the Board of Directors must affirmatively state that sufficient facts exist to support a finding of non-compliance with the above described standard of conduct. Such an affirmative statement must be made by a majority of board members who are not the object of the action, suit, proceeding, or investigation. Should the entire Board of Directors be made the object of such action, suit, proceeding, or investigation, then there shall be appointed by the Board of Directors of the Association an independent committee made up of 9 members whose sole purpose shall be to make such a determination on the issue of indemnification.
5. There shall be no indemnification of any director, officer, or employee wherein the individual is adjudged by the Board of Directors to be guilty of misconduct, gross negligence, or illegal act or acts in the performance of his or her duties.
6. The provisions of this section shall be inapplicable to any action brought by the Association against any officer or director otherwise indemnified hereunder or in connection with any other proceeding charging improper personal benefit to the one so charged, whether or not involving action in an official capacity, in which they are adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received.
7. The provisions of this section shall be applicable to actions or proceedings commenced after the adoption hereof, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after the adoption hereof, and to any such officers or directors who should hereinafter cease to be officers and directors, and shall inure to the benefit of their heirs and legal representatives.

Article V - Meeting of Directors

Section 5.01. Regular Meetings

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held monthly at such time and place in one of the counties of Mississippi within which the Association serves as the Board of Directors may provide by resolution. Such regular monthly meetings may be held without notice other than such resolution fixing time and place thereof. Provided that, the President or his designee may change the date, time, or place of a regular monthly meeting for good cause upon advance notice thereof to all directors.

Section 5.02. Attendance by Members at Meetings

1. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be open to the members of the Association unless the Board goes into executive session. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall not be open to nonmembers except upon express invitation of the Board. Executive sessions which are not open to members may be held when the Board of Directors discusses any of the following:
   1. transaction of business and discussion of personnel matters concerning the character, professional confidence, or physical or mental health of a person;
   2. strategy sessions or negotiations with respect to prospective litigation, litigation, or issuance of an appealable order when an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Association;
   3. transaction of business and discussion regarding the report, development, or course of action regarding security personnel, plans, or devices;
   4. investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct or violation of law;
   5. cases of extraordinary emergency which would pose immediate or irrevocable harm or damage to persons and/or property;
   6. transaction of business and discussion regarding the prospective purchase, sale, or leasing of lands or the negotiations for or acquiring of easements or rights-of-way;
   7. transaction of and/or discussion of negotiations regarding the location, relocation, or expansion of Association facilities;
   8. discussion of terms of employment or termination of employees;
   9. discussion of such matters as would be recognized by the courts as legally privileged;
   10. any other business which the Board in its discretion deems to be of a sensitive nature.
2. Members of the Association may address the Board at a regular meeting regarding any suggestions for better service, grievances, or any other matter affecting the Association, provided that the member has at least 15 days in advance of the meeting executed a written request, in a form and manner prescribed by the Association, which will include the subject matter to be addressed and provide such information as is necessary to enable the Association to investigate the matter. The President or acting president of the Board of Directors may limit the format and length of any member or nonmember’s presentation. The Board of Directors may defer any presentation by a member to the next scheduled Board meeting due to the number of members seeking to address the Board of Directors at the meeting, or due to the length of any address or addresses. A nonmember of the Association may not address the Board of Directors unless specifically invited by the Board of Directors, after executing a written request as provided above.

Section 5.03. Special Meetings

1. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or any 3 directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the time and place which shall be in one of the counties in Mississippi within which the Association serves, for the holding of any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them.
2. In case of any emergency or unusual circumstances rendering such action expedient, special meetings may be held, with the consent of 2/3 of the directors, at any place in Mississippi, or elsewhere.
3. Special meetings may also be held via telephone conference call, without regard to the actual location of the directors at the time of such telephone conference meeting, if all the directors consent thereto.

Section 5.04. Notice

Notice of the time, place, and purpose of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given by or at the direction of the Secretary, or upon a default in this duty by the Secretary, by those directors calling a special meeting, or by any director in the case of a meeting whose date, time, and place have already been fixed by Board resolution, at least 5 days previous thereto, by written notice, delivered personally or mailed to each director at their last known address. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. The attendance of the director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when a director shall attend a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting shall not have been lawfully called or convened. In case of an emergency confirmed by a quorum of directors, 3 hours notice may be given by telephone and/or delivered to the directors’ last known address to convene a special meeting of the Board.

Section 5.05. Quorum

A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, provided, that if less than such majority of the directors is present at said meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time provided that the Secretary shall notify any absent board members of the time and place of such adjourned meeting. A director who by law or these bylaws is disqualified from voting on a particular matter shall not, with respect to consideration of and action of that matter, be counted in determining the number of directors in office or present. The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except that a 2/3 majority shall be required to sell assets of the system.

Article VI - Officers

Section 6.01. Number

The officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and other such officers as from time to time be deemed desirable by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.02. Election & Term of Office

The officers may be elected annually by secret, written ballot, or by any other proper method, without prior nomination, by and from the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of the members. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as conveniently may be. Each officer shall hold office until the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the next succeeding annual meeting of the members, or until a successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified, subject to the provisions of these bylaws with respect to the removal of officers.

Section 6.03. Removal

Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Association will be served thereby.

Section 6.04. Vacancies

Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, a vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

Section 6.05. President

The President:

1. shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the members; provided, that the President shall have the authority to appoint any person to serve as chair of any special or regular meeting of the members, such chair to have all duties and responsibilities of the President of the Association while so presiding;
2. shall sign, with the Secretary, any deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, notes, bonds, contracts, or other instruments authorized by the Board of Directors to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution of thereof shall be expressly delegated to some other officer or agent of the Association by the Board of Directors or by these bylaws, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed;
3. shall appoint all committees of the Board of Directors and of the Association, both standing committees and temporary committees, except where otherwise provided by these bylaws, and shall serve as ex officio member of all committees except the Committee on Nominations, the Credentials, and Election Committee; and
4. in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and other such duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 6.06. Vice President

In the absence of the President, or in the event of an inability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all restrictions upon the President. The Vice President shall also perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.07. Secretary

The Secretary shall:

1. keep the minutes of the meeting of the members and of the Board of Directors in 1 or more books provided for that purpose;
2. see that all notices are duly given in accordance with these bylaws or as required by law;
3. be custodian of the corporate records and see that the seal of the Association is affixed to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Association under its seal is authorized in accordance with the provision of these by-laws;
4. keep or insure the keeping of a register of the names and post office addresses of all members;
5. have general charge of the books of the Association;
6. keep on file at all times a complete copy of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Association containing all amendments thereto (which copy shall always be open to the inspection of any member); and
7. in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.08 Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for:

1. custody of all funds and securities of the Association;
2. the receipt of and the issuance of all receipts for all monies in the name of the Association in such bank or banks as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws; and
3. the general performance of all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.09. Delegation of Secretary’s & Treasurer’s Responsibilities

Notwithstanding the duties, responsibilities, and authorities of the Secretary and of the Treasurer hereinbefore provided in Sections 6.07 and 6.08, the Board of Directors by resolution may, except as otherwise limited by law, delegate, wholly or in part, the authority for, and the regular or routine administration of, 1 or more of each such officers’ such duties to 1 or more agents, other officers or employees of the Association who are not directors. In the event that a Treasurer is not elected by the Board of Directors from among their number, the Treasurer’s duties will be delegated to the
General Manager.

Section 6.10. General Manager

The Board of Directors shall appoint a General Manager, who may be, but who shall not be required to be a member of the Association. The General Manager shall perform such duties and shall exercise such authority as the Board may from time to time so vest.

Section 6.11. Bonds of Officers

The Board of Directors in its discretion may require any officer, agent, or employee of the Association to give bond in such amount and with such surety as it may determine. The costs of all such bonds shall be borne by the Association.

Section 6.12. Compensation

The Board of Directors shall, from time to time, fix, amend, or increase the compensation of the General Manager. The wages and salaries of all employees or agents of the Association shall be fixed by the General Manager, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 6.13. Reports

The officers of the Association shall submit at each annual meeting of the members reports covering business of the Association for the fiscal year and showing the condition of the Association at the close of such fiscal year.

Article VII - Contracts, Checks, & Deposits

Section 7.01. Contracts

Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of or on behalf of the Association, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

Section 7.02. Checks, Drafts, Etc.

All checks, drafts, and other orders for payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Association shall be signed and countersigned by an officer or officers of the Association, the General Manager, or by other employee as designated by the Board and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 7.03. Deposits

All funds of the Association except petty cash shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Association in such bank or banks or in such financial securities or institutions as the Board of Directors may select, not inconsistent with Miss. Code Ann. Section 75-5-247

Article VIII - Non-Profit Operation

Section 8.01. Interest or Dividends on Capital Prohibited

The Association shall at all times be operated on an association nonprofit basis for the mutual benefit of its patrons. No interest or dividends shall be paid or payable by the Association on any capital furnished by its patrons, unless otherwise required by law or regulatory authority or by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 8.02. Patronage Capital in Connection With Furnishing Electric Energy

1. In the furnishing of electric energy the Association’s operations will be so conducted that all patrons will through their patronage furnish capital for the Association. In order to induce patronage and to assure that the Association will operate on a nonprofit basis the Association may account on a patronage basis to all its patrons for all amounts received and receivable from the furnishing of electric energy in excess of operating costs and expenses properly chargeable against the furnishing of electric energy. All such amounts in excess of total operating costs and expenses at the moment of receipt by the Association are received with the understanding that they are furnished by patrons as capital.The Association shall maintain such books and records as will enable it at any time to compute, upon reasonable notice, the amount of capital contributed during any given period by each of its members and non-members.
2. All such amounts credited to the capital account of any patron shall have the same status as though they had been paid to the patron in cash in pursuant of a legal obligation to do so and the patron had then furnished the Association corresponding amounts for capital.
3. All other amounts received by the Association from its operations in excess of the costs and expenses shall, insofar as permitted by law, be (1) used to offset any losses incurred during the current or any prior fiscal year and (2) to the extent not so allocated shall be included as part of the capital credited to the accounts of patrons, as herein provided or to facilitate general rate reductions.
4. In the event of a bid or proposal of purchase of most or all of the assets of the Association, outstanding capital credits will be calculated and set up on the books of the Association as an outstanding indebtedness against the Association, to be assumed by the prospective purchaser.
5. Capital credited to the account of each patron shall be assignable only on the books of the Association pursuant to written instructions from the assignor and only to successors in interest or successors in occupancy in all or part of such patrons’ premises served by the Association unless the Board of Directors, acting under policies of general application shall determine otherwise.
6. The Association, before retiring any capital credited to any patrons account, shall deduct therefrom any amount owing by such patron to the Association together with interest thereon at the statutory rate on judgments in effect when such amount became overdue, compounded annually.

Section 8.03. Dissolution or Liquidation

1. In the event of dissolution or liquidation of the Association, after all outstanding indebtedness of the Association shall have been paid, any outstanding capital credits shall be retired without priority on a pro rata basis before any payments are made on account or property rights of members.
2. The remaining liquidation proceeds, if any, shall be distributed ratably among all members of the Association during the period of its existence.

Section 8.04. Patronage Refunds in Connection With Furnishing Other Services

In the event that the Association should engage in the business of furnishing goods or services other than electric energy, all amounts received and receivable therefrom which are in excess of costs and expenses properly chargeable against the furnishing of such goods or services shall, insofar as permitted by law, be prorated annually on a patronage basis and returned to those patrons, from whom such amounts were obtained.

Article IX - Access to Association Records

Section 9.01. Access to Corporate Records

Upon timely and reasonable written request, in a form and manner prescribed by the Association, members of the Association will be entitled to examination of Association records and information where the General Manager and the Association’s general counsel, or the Board of Directors agree that the request is in good faith, that the information requested and the purpose for which it is requested are materially germane to the requesting person’s status and interest as a member of the Association, where the furnishing of information will not be inimical to the Association’s best interest, and where the release of such information will not subject the Association to litigation or invade the privacy of any person.

The Association’s responses to requests from members for Association information shall be governed by the following rules and procedures:

1. No requests for information shall be considered until the requesting member fills out and executes an information request form.
2. The request form as executed will be reviewed as soon as possible by the General Manager who, before acting, shall consult with the Association’s general counsel. If both conclude that:
   1. the request is in good faith,
   2. the information requested and the purpose for which it is requested are materially germane to the requesting member’s status and interest as a member of the Association,
   3. furnishing the requested information will not be inimical to the Association’s best interests, and
   4. (4) the release of such information will not subject the Association to litigation or invade the privacy of any person, then a time and manner will be provided for making such information available during normal business hours.

If either or both disagree to the applicability of any of the foregoing factors, the matter will be referred to the Board of Directors for decision based upon those same factors.

Article X - Sale or Lease of Assets of the Association

Section 10.01. Vote of the Members Not Required

The Board of Directors may, without authorization of the members, sell, mortgage, lease, or otherwise encumber or dispose of

1. any of its property which, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, is neither necessary nor useful in operating and maintaining the Association’s system in which in any 1 year shall not exceed 10% in value of all of the property of the Association, or
2. merchandise.

This section and the other provisions of this article, however, shall have no application to the
mortgaging or encumbering of the property of the Association for the purpose of borrowing money.

Section 10.02. Vote Required

1. 1. For property of the Association to be sold, leased, or disposed of other than in Section 10.01, the same must be first authorized by the affirmative vote of at least 60% of the members of the Association.
   2. Any proxy authorizing a vote for or against a proposal to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of property of the Association must satisfy the requirements set by the Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14A-4. Any proxy authorizing a vote for or against a proposal to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of property of the Association obtained prior to the date notice is mailed shall be deemed invalid for purposes of determining whether the required member vote pursuant to this section has been obtained.

Section 10.03. Procedural Requirements

1. A proposal to sell property of the Association may be considered and voted on at the annual meeting of members or a special meeting of members called for such purpose. A meeting of the members of the Association for the purpose of considering and voting upon the sale, lease, or other disposition of property of the Association to a particular Purchaser or to any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Purchaser (an “Affiliate”) shall not be held more than once in any 12 month period.
2. In order for any proposal to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of property of the Association to be properly brought before an annual or special meeting of the members, the requirements of Section 77-5-237, Mississippi Code (1972) must be met, and in addition the following requirements must be satisfied:
   1. The Association must have provided written notification of the offer of purchase to any lender desiring to receive such notification or to any generation and transmission association of which the Association is a member. The notification of the offer of purchase must contain all of the information provided to the Association, its management, and Board of Directors, or which is filed with the Public Service Commission.
   2. The disclosure required by Section 77-5-237 Mississippi Code (1972) and any additional disclosure required by these bylaws must have been received in a form to allow management and the Board of Directors ample opportunity to review same.
   3. The Purchaser must have agreed in writing to assume those obligations of the Association as required by Section 77-5-237 Mississippi Code (1972), and other provisions of these bylaws.
   4. The Purchaser must have agreed in writing to indemnify the Association and its members against any damage, liability, or loss (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, interest, penalties, judgments, and amounts paid in settlement of, any claim, suit, action or proceeding) sustained, incurred, paid or required to be paid by the Association arising out of any act or omission of the Association or Purchaser occurring before or after the sale of property of the Association to the Purchaser.

Section 10.04. Required Disclosure

Any Purchaser shall prepare and deliver to the Board of Directors of the Association a written disclosure statement containing the following information and documents:

1. that information as required by Section 77-5-237, Mississippi Code (1972);
2. any plans or proposal of the Purchaser or an Affiliate of the Purchaser concerning the future conduct of the business of the Association including, but not limited to:
   1. Resale of any of the property of the Association;
   2. Termination of employment of persons employed by the Association;
   3. Changes in benefits of employees of the Association under any employee benefit plan;
   4. Changes in rates for electricity to be charged in the service area served by the Association; and
   5. Any reduction in service, change in service area, or requirements as to minimum charges which would affect members of the Association;
3. an opinion of counsel to the Purchaser setting forth the tax consequences of the acquisition to the Association and its members; and
4. any other information which a reasonable person would consider important in deciding whether to vote for approval of a proposal to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of the property of the Association.

Section 10.05. Competing Bid Disclosure

Any competing bids given to the Association members of the proposed purchase shall include any other offers to purchase received from any lender of the Association or any generation and transmission association of which the Association is a member and shall include the terms of the offer and such other information as the lender or generation and transmission association may request to be transmitted to the members, and which is material to the future generation of the assets to be purchased.

Section 10.06. Effect of Noncompliance

Any sale, lease or other disposition of the property of the Association that is not effected in strict compliance with the provisions of Section 77-5-237, Mississippi code (1972) and the provisions of Section 10.03 of these bylaws shall be void. Any Purchaser or Affiliate of a Purchaser which in providing the disclosure required by Section 10.03, 10.04, and 10.05, or in any other communication with the members of the Association, written or oral, makes false or misleading statements concerning material facts, or omits information necessary to make the information disclosed not misleading shall be liable to the Association and its members for any damages incurred thereby, including, but not limited to, the difference in the consideration paid for the property of the Association by the Purchaser and the fair value of such property and any increases paid or to be paid in the future for electricity by the members of the Association.

Section 10.07. Non-application to Consolidation

The provisions of Section 10 do not apply to the consolidation of Associations effectuated pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. Section 77-5-217. Section 10.08. Severability. If any section of Article 10, or any provision thereof, is determined by any court to be invalid, such invalidity shall not effect the validity of the other sections or provisions of this Article.

Article XI - Miscellaneous

Section 11.01. Membership in Other Organizations

The Association may become a member of any and all other organizations as the Board of Directors may determine shall be to the best interest of the Association, and the directors shall have full power and authority to authorize the Association to purchase stock in or to become a member of any corporation or association organized in a nonprofit basis for the purpose of engaging in rural electrification, industrial or economic development, or other worthwhile non-profit endeavors. The Association may make contributions to non-profit, charitable, or civic organizations or drives, and the Board of Directors may, by resolution or order, authorize the General Manager to act for the Association in this regard. The directors shall also have full power and authority to subscribe for and on behalf of the Association, on an annual basis or otherwise to “Today in Mississippi” and any and all other publications as may be determined by the directors, and payment for such publication subscriptions shall be made of and from funds accruing in each member’s favor.

Section 11.02. Waiver of Notice

Any member or director may waive, in writing, any notice required to be given by these bylaws, and such waiver may be executed either prior to or on the date of the meeting. In case of a joint membership, a waiver or notice signed by either husband or wife shall be deemed a waiver of notice of such meeting by both joint members.

Section 11.03. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of July of each year and end on the last day of June of the following year.

Section 11.04. Seal

The corporate seal of the Association shall be in the form of a circle and thereon shall be inscribed the name of the Association and the words “Corporate Seal, Mississippi”.

Section 11.05. Amendments

These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed by the affirmative vote of not less than 2/3 of all the directors. This may be done at any regular meeting or special meeting, provided the notice of such meeting shall have contained a proposed alteration, amendment, or repeal.

Section 11.06. Robert’s Rules of Order

Parliamentary procedure shall be governed by the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order at all Association meetings, including committee meetings which may be duly established by the Board of Directors, except to the extent such procedure is otherwise determined by law or by the Association’s Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws.