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Cooperative Principles

Quote

Electric cooperatives are private, independent electric utilities, owned by the members they serve. As democratically governed businesses, electric cooperatives are organized under the Seven Cooperative Principles, anchoring them firmly in the communities they serve and ensuring they are closely regulated by their consumers.

From the outside, many cooperatives look like any other business, since a cooperative provides products and services like conventional businesses do. But the following principles are what make cooperatives different.

Voluntary and Open Membership

Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

Democratic Member Control

Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.

Members’ Economic Participation

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

Autonomy and Independence

Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.

Education, Training, and Information

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

Concern for Community

While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

 

 

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Contact Us

Headquarters:

N28988 State Road 93, Arcadia, WI 54612

District office:

1800 Granary St., Holmen, WI 54636

 

Phone: 800-411-9115

Mailing address: P.O. Box 277, Arcadia, WI 54612

 

Office hours

Monday- Friday | 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

©2022 Riverland Energy Cooperative. A Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

  • Home
  • Outage Center
  • My Account
    • Account Management/SmartHub
    • Billing Q & A
    • Capital Credits
    • Energy Assistance
    • Payment Options
    • Update Contact/Billing Information
    • Moving/Change Address
  • Electric Service
    • New Service/New Membership
    • New Construction
    • Stop Service
    • Transfer Service
    • Rates, Fees, & Deposits
    • Diggers Hotline
    • Stray Voltage
    • Vegetation Management & Right-of-Way
    • MISO Maximum Generation Warnings
  • Member Center
    • Dual Fuel Program
    • Electric Safety
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Energy Audits
    • Energy Efficiency Resources
    • Evergreen
    • Grassroots/Legislative
    • Load Management
    • Newsletters
    • Rebates
    • Renewable Energy
    • Safety First! Farm Rewiring Program
    • Solar Energy
  • Community
    • Community Cares
    • Scholarships
    • Youth Ambassador Program
    • Economic Development
    • CHARGE EV
    • Donations and Sponsorships
    • Members Helping Members
    • Recycle Drive
    • Safety Demonstrations
  • About Us
    • About Riverland Energy Cooperative
    • Board of Directors
    • Careers
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Statement of Non-Discrimination
    • Touchstone Energy Cooperatives