The Directors of the DNP Users Group are pleased to announce that our 2026 AGM will occur on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 4PM Eastern. This will be an on-line session with meeting details to follow.  Your attendance is especially important as we have several important changes that need membership approval. Our AGM agenda (see below) includes key voting items to change our board structure, receive nominations from our board and other members, and establish a Utility Council.  In addition, we will share updates on the activities of our four active committees/task forces and business topics.

DNP-UG Board Proposal to Increase Board Size

• Proposed Change - Our current Bylaws stipulate a limit of six directors.  The Bylaws also permit an expansion of this number to 11 positions upon a successful membership vote.
• Recommendation - The DNP Users Group (DNP-UG) Board of Directors (“the Board”) recommends the expansion of available board positions to 11.
• Rationale – Starting with VISION 2024 (approved by UG vote) and continuing through 2026, the UG leadership have been growing the range of services to our members and the industry.  This includes public workshops, member training, SME technical support and now a planned utility council. Each of these new activities require a leader that would ideally sit on our Board to participate in the overall leadership of the UG.
• Vote Question - The DNP-UG membership agrees with the Board’s recommendation to increase the number of available Board positions from 6 to 11 with the roles to be defined by the board as needed and nominees to be approved by the membership.

VP Education and Standards

• James Formea was nominated by the Board, and his nomination was approved by the membership for a two-year term at our AGM in May 2025. He is acting in this (non-voting) role until the membership approves the expansion of available Board positions.

VP Services

• Michael Dood has accepted a nomination by the Board for this position. 
• Other nominations may be received for the next 21 days (notice period) in accordance with our bylaws.
• Membership Vote – if no other nominations are received within 21 days of this notice, the vote by those present will be to approve Michael Dood in this position for a two-year term.
• Membership Vote – if other nominations are received within the notice period, the vote by those present will be to select their preferred candidate for a two-year term.

Utility Council

• Recommendation - The Board recommends the membership approve the formation of the DNP-UG’s Utility Council.
• Rationale – The leadership of DNP-UG has long wanted to establish a tighter connection with our utility members.  The over-arching objective of the DNP-UG is to serve the needs of utilities so it is essential to have a mechanism in place that optimizes this. The intent is for the DNP-UG to sponsor and facilitate the Utility Council and provide the requested information but otherwise to allow the Council the freedom to function independently.
• Vote Question - The DNP-UG membership agrees with the board’s recommendation to form the DNP-UG’s Utility Council.
• If the Utility Council is approved, Tony Johnson (recently retired from SCE), has kindly agreed to serve as the Founding Leader.

VP Marketing

We are seeking nominations for this vacant position on the Board. Candidates will be people looking to join a team of dedicated industry leaders that are making a difference in our industry.  This is a volunteer Board position that will appeal to those that understand the value and importance of a non-profit group such as DNP-UG.  We're looking for an experienced marketing professional whose strengths include a broad industry (utility) network and strategic thinking.  The candidate will be excited about clean energy, grid modernization, and the communications technologies that enable these. 

Nomination Information and Forms

For further information and nomination forms please contact us at andrew.west@ieee.org with copy to admin@dnp.org. Our Nominations Chair is Andrew West, who will respond to you directly.

ACTION: In accordance with our bylaws, nominations will be accepted for the next 21 days.

Current Agenda:

1. Introductions:
   1. Directors
   2. Nominees
   3. Staff
2. Review of the Agenda
3. Introduction of the Attendees
4. Review of Last Years Meeting Notes
5. Review, proposal and vote on increasing the Board size
6. Nominations and Elections of Directors (Andrew West – Nominations Chair):
   1. VP Services
   2. Vice President, Marketing
7. Review, proposal and vote on forming the DNP-UG Utility Council
8. Other matters for Voting
9. Director Reports:
   1. Chairperson’s remarks
   2. COO Report
   3. Finance Report
   4. Technical Committee Report
   5. Test Procedures Committee Report
   6. Test Management Committee Report
   7. Cyber Security Task Force Report
   8. Website Report
   1. Marketing Report
10. Member Discussions and Feedback
11. New business

 

If you would like to get more involved or require more information, please contact us directly at membership@dnp.org, r.farquharson@ieee.org or president@dnp.org.

 

Ronald Farquharson on behalf of the

Board of Directors, DNP Users Group

January 30, 2026

 

• 30 January 2026
• Author: Ronald Farquharson
• Number of views: 10
• Comments: 0