Annual Meeting & 2025 Membership Vote

We have hired Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS), a Minnesota-based professional survey company that has been providing bullet-proof voting solutions for over 30 years. We have enlisted SBS to take care of our entire election process, and as a result, this year’s vote will be all electronic. That’s right! Vote from the convenience of your own home!

  • Voting Opens: November 3, 2025 – email will arrive in your inbox around 8:00 am. Click the link and cast your vote
  • Voting Closes: November 12, 2025 – Voting closes voting site at 11:59 pm
  • Results Announced: November 18, 2025 – Results will be announced at this year’s annual meeting to be held at 5PM at the Eastsound Firehall

You will be receiving an email ballot from SBS (less than 30 people will be receiving a paper ballot in the mail) on Monday November 3rd. Please be on the lookout for that and be sure to cast your vote.

 

Save the Date

Eastsound Water Users Association (the “Association”) is hosting an annual membership meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2024 to be held at the Eastsound Firehall at 5:00 PM, in order to announce the results of the election of two of its Directors to serve on the Board of Directors (meeting details forthcoming). We also would like to take the opportunity to cover other member updates and news – we hope to see you there!

The Annual Meeting have a General Manager’s presentation, door prizes and will culminate with the election of two new Directors. Our by-laws provide that two or three Directors be elected each year and with staggered terms. Two Directors will be up for election this fall.

 

Slate of Candidates for 2025

 

We have two (2) candidates this year. Below is their name and their bio statement for you to enjoy. Only two (2) slots are available so please do cast your vote as it is important to achieve quorum.

 

1. Chris Madison (Incumbent Treasurer and Policy Committee Head)

 

Hi neighbors and friends, my name is Chris. I’m a fresh face and full-time resident who moved to Orcas in 2024. I spend most of my time building my forever house here, but I’ve created space to volunteer as an active Director on the Eastsound Water Users Association (EWUA) Board, already serving for nearly a year since my 2024 appointment.

In 2025, I was nominated and confirmed as Treasurer and Co-Chair of the Policy Committee. It’s most important to note that in my capacity as Treasurer, EWUA is projected to be profitable again in 2025 for the first time in years, which is a trend I intend to maintain.

Additionally, I’ve been working diligently with fellow board members, management, and our outside financial partners to: 1. Ensure the long-term profitability of the organization 2. identify revenue growth opportunities via grants while 3. preparing the Association for an audit to ensure our finances are in order and healthy for the long term so we can keep providing the highest quality water for many more generations.

In addition to the office work that comes with being Treasurer and Policy Chair, I’ve also pitched in on the blue-collar side. Earlier this year, I helped pour the concrete foundation and stem walls for our new Clark Well, which uses the latest purification technology to increase redundancy, expand capacity, and make our system more resilient.

Before moving to Orcas, I successfully managed a multi-billion-dollar product portfolio in cybersecurity, AI, and fraud prevention at Google and F5 Networks. I have a Master’s degree in Information Systems and Business which is reinforced by my engineering mindset, allowing me to understand both the business and technical aspects of our infrastructure management. I’ve spent my career focusing on keeping systems safe, transparent, and reliable which are all the same skills I bring to our water system

In addition to these corporate roles, I’ve co-founded an EIG (employee inclusion group) at F5 Networks and served as its President. I also served as the President of the MIS Society at my University which establishes a long history and a proven track record of community leadership and engagement. I’m committed to ensuring that Eastsound Water Users Association remains a thriving, profitable, cooperative and continues to prioritize the needs of its members and community.

I would be honored to continue serving our island community as we work toward a more effective and efficient water system.

I would be grateful for the chance to keep contributing both in the boardroom and out in the field, working toward a water system built to serve Orcas Island well into the future.

 

2. Madeline Danielson

 

Madeline Danielson, a full-time resident of Orcas Island since 1997, has ties to the island that stretch back to the 1980s. She is currently in her 13th year of service at Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO), where the opportunity to learn continues to inspire her daily work.

Her professional background includes seven years in banking as a loan officer, as well as eight years in early childhood education, having served as Program Director for the Infant Toddler Center at Children’s House and at Childhaven in Seattle. She holds a degree in Human Development with a focus on the technology of teaching and has completed formal training in mediation.

Madeline is also a passionate advocate for Music in our Public Schools. She recently concluded six years of service on the Music Advocacy Group (MAG) Board, where she served as Vice President and Chair of the Nominating Committee—enthusiastically encouraging others to lend their talents in support of Orcas Island schools and youth music programs.

Through her diverse career and volunteer experience, Madeline brings an understanding of sound fiscal management, inclusive leadership, and the importance of building trust within the community. She is committed to upholding Cooperative

Principles. “People coming together to help their neighbor’s is part of what makes this place special.”