Big Horn County Electric

Cooperative Principles

Voluntary & Open Memberships: Cooperatives are voluntary organizations open to all person able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of memberships without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

Democratic Member Control: Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members who actively participate in setting their policies and making decision. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. Members have equal voting rights (one membership, one vote).

Member Economic Participation: Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. They usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any and all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative and possibly setting up reserves, part of which 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 organization controlled by their members. If they enter into agreement 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 about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

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

Concern for Community: While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for sustainable development of their community through policies accepted by their members.