ACE Hardware, State Farm, REI, Land O’Lakes and Dakota Electric Association all share something in common: we’re all cooperatives.
We may work in different industries but we all share a passion for serving our members and helping our communities thrive. In fact, all cooperatives follow the same set of seven principles that reflect our core values of honesty, transparency, fairness, inclusion, and service to the greater community good. October is National Co-op Month, making it the perfect time to reflect on these time-tested principles that provide a foundation for the future. Part one of this double feature will examine the first three cooperative principles.
Voluntary and Open Membership
Like all co-ops, Dakota Electric Association was created out of necessity—to meet a need that would have otherwise gone unmet in our community. In 1937, a group of neighbors joined together to form our electric co-op so everyone could benefit. The neighbors united to address a common problem they couldn’t handle alone. They worked together for the good of the entire community, and the new electric lines helped generate economic opportunities in our area.
Although this history may be forgotten, key aspects of that heritage remain–the focus on our mission and serving the greater good. We include everyone to improve the community’s quality of life and economic opportunity. Membership is open to everyone in our service area, regardless of race, religion, age, disability, gender identity, language, political views, or socioeconomic status.
Democratic Member Control
Our co-op is well-suited to meet our members’ needs because we are locally governed. Each member has a voice and a vote in how the co-op operates, and all voices and votes are equal. Dakota Electric Association’s leadership team and employees live here in the community. Our board of directors, which helps set long-term priorities for the co-op, also resides locally on co-op lines. These board members have been elected by neighbors just like you. We recognize that our members have valuable perspectives, so we continually seek your input and encourage you to participate in decisions and elections that matter to the co-op.
Our close connection to this community gives us a first-hand perspective on members’ priorities, enabling us to make informed decisions on long-term investments and projects.
Members’ Economic Participation
As a utility, we aim to deliver our members safe, reliable, and affordable energy. However, as a cooperative, we are more motivated by serving the community than by making profits. Members contribute fairly and have a democratic voice in Dakota Electric Association’s capital. At least some of that capital remains the shared property of the cooperative. Members use surpluses to fund co-op programs, initiatives, capital investments, and other activities approved by the membership.
Because seven cooperative principles guide us, it’s not just about dollars–it’s about creating opportunities for everyone and being fair in working with our members. The cooperative way is a values-based business model.
Dakota Electric Association reflects our local community and its changing needs. We see our role as a catalyst for positive change and making our corner of the world a better place.
Article provided by NRECA
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.
