Democracy is the co-op way

Every May, Western Cooperative Electric has our annual meeting. One of the most important activities we conduct during our annual meeting is the election of the board of directors. We entrust these nine people to give strategic direction and ensure the coop has good governance.

At Western, we try to make it as convenient as possible for members to participate in the election by educating members about our election process and mailing every member a ballot.

As the utility industry is experiencing some of the most significant changes since its founding, electric co-ops need your active participation. As a co-op member, you have the right to help set the direction for the co-op. This is a critical difference between co-ops and other electricity providers, such as investor-owned utilities (IOUs) or municipally owned systems.

With IOUs, you are a customer, and there is no required ownership. IOU stockholders live far away and have no direct attachment to the organization other than seeking a return on their investment. Communities served by municipally-owned systems may vote for the mayor or city council, but the connection to the electric service is indirect.

The board of directors of a co-op makes important strategic decisions for the organization. Examples of decisions boards make that impact all the members are:

• Approving the budget for the co-op.
• Governing policies.
• Setting rates.
• Determining when and how much patronage to retire back to the members.

As locally-owned businesses in the communities we serve, electric co-ops have the opportunity to introduce neighbors to neighbors and rekindle that spirit of democracy at the grassroots level, and we can encourage respectful debate about our co-op’s role in our communities.

Participation is the key to a thriving democracy, and I encourage all members to participate in our upcoming election. Democracy is the best way to connect the people to their representation. By voting, sitting on the nominating committee, or running for a board seat, you are fulfilling your duty to your local democratically governed electric cooperative. If you have any questions regarding the upcoming elections, visit www.westerncoop.com or call our office at 785-743-5561.