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.
Safety
At your Touchstone Energy cooperative, member safety is important to us. Below are some links to important safety information to help keep you and your family safe
- Power Line Safety
- Power Lines and Cars
- Generator Safety
Power Line Safety
Accidentally contacting a power line can be dangerous and in some cases, even deadly. Your Touchstone Energy cooperative wants to help our members stay safe around power lines.
Keep a safe distance
Whether you are playing outdoors with your children or working on landscaping projects, keep a safe distance from power lines and other equipment your co-op uses to get electricity to your home.
Always remember to:
- Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers and electrical boxes.
- Don’t climb trees near power lines.
- Never fly kits, remote control airplanes or balloons near power lines.
- If you get something stuck in a power line, call your Touchstone Energy co-op to get it.
- Keep a safe distance from overhead power lines when working with ladders or installing objects such as antennas.
- Never touch or go near a downed power line.
- Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car.
- Keep children and pets away.
Our Mission
McCone Electric Co-op., Inc. was born of a common need and desire for electricity by people in the rural areas. These individuals came together as a group with the single idea of bringing central station power to their rural economy with the hope of improving their quality of life. That vision resulted in McCone Electric Co-op., Inc. being born as an entity on September 22, 1942.
The vision and mission of the cooperative is to bring reliable, high-quality central station power to its members at the lowest possible cost consistent with sound business practices. The philosophy of the cooperative is to promote the wise use of electricity through a marketing program that emphasizes the benefits and safety of electric energy and to be responsive to the changing needs of its member/owners.
To best accomplish our mission and adhere to our philosophy, we must further:
- Recognize that McCone Electric Co-op., Inc. will at all times try to provide its members with the highest quality energy products and services at a competitive price.
- Recognize that it is the member/owners of the cooperative who shape the mission and philosophies of McCone Electric Co-op., Inc., and that communication up and down the organizational ladder is vital to achieving the stated mission.
- Recognize that all organizations engaged in generation and transmission and/or distribution of electricity must fully cooperate with each other.
- Recognize that McCone Electric Co-op., Inc's ability to provide essential services is dependent upon attracting and retaining highly qualified employees who must be adequately compensated and given opportunity for personal growth and development.
- Recognize that our strength and quality as a service provider to our members stems in part from our alliance with related state, regional, and national organizations.
Member