Douglas Electric Cooperative (DEC) is a private, not-for-profit electric utility owned by the members it serves. It was established to provide its members with the most reliable electric service at the lowest possible cost. DEC's service area covers 2200 square miles in western and northern Douglas County, with small portions in northeast and southeast Coos County and south Lane County. City of Drain is not within DEC's boundaries.
A seven member Board of Directors governing the cooperative is elected by and from its membership; therefore, the members ultimately control the cooperative. The Board meets monthly to set policies and review the operations of DEC. Its directors are elected at the Annual Meeting held each year on the first Saturday in April. Each director serves, without salary, a three year term. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors from each respective district are made by petition signed by 15 or more members who reside in that district and must be filed in DEC's headquarters at least 60 days prior to the Member Meeting.
While each member owns the cooperative, no member shall be individually liable or responsible for any debts or liabilities of the cooperative.
Why Electric Cooperatives?
In the early 1930's, prior to the establishment of electric cooperatives such as Douglas Electric, rural America was almost in total darkness. Nearly 90 percent of our nation's rural areas were without electricity.
In 1936, Congress acted to remove rural areas from the "Dark Ages" by creating the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), formerly the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). Initially, low-interest REA loans were made available to commercial power companies for the purpose of electrifying rural areas.
Why Douglas Electric Cooperative?
When the power companies failed to take advantage of REA loans, the agency turned to providing loans to locally-owned electric cooperatives.
On September 7, 1939, West Douglas Electric Cooperative began supplying power to 209 members. On July 15, 1941, North Douglas Electric Cooperative began supplying power to 125 members. A merger of the two young cooperatives was ratified on June 30, 1942, to form the present day Douglas Electric Cooperative.
Electric cooperatives have helped to bring rural America out of the "Dark Ages." Obviously, so important a job is never completely done.
COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES
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.
Member