The Montana Electric Cooperatives' Association is a not-for-profit, statewide trade association representing 25 consumer-owned electric distribution cooperatives and three generation and transmission cooperatives. Electric cooperatives provide electricity service to more than 400,000 Montanans. The cooperatives’ service areas cover all 56 Montana counties. Collectively, Montana’s electric cooperatives own and operate more than 56,000 miles of distribution power lines in Montana. Each cooperative is customer-owned, locally controlled and not-for-profit. MECA is based in Great Falls and is the publisher for Rural Montana magazine, the state’s largest circulation publication at 120,000.
What is a Cooperative?
A cooperative is a unique form of business known as user-owned, user-benefited, and user-controlled. Benefits from the cooperative are returned to the members/patrons based on their use of the cooperative during the year. A cooperative is democratically controlled by their members/patrons through a one-member/one-vote policy. Members/patrons own the cooperative through their financial investment in the business.
The Seven Cooperative Principles
- Membership in a cooperative is open to all persons who can reasonably use its services and stand willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic circumstances.
- Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Elected representatives (directors/trustees) are elected from among the membership and are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote); cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
- Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative; setting up reserves; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
- 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 as well as their unique identity.
- Education and training for members, elected representatives (directors/trustees), CEOs, and employees help them effectively contribute to the development of their cooperatives. Communications about the nature and benefits of cooperatives, particularly with the general public and opinion leaders, helps boost cooperative understanding.
- By working together through local, national, regional, and international structures, cooperatives improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs.
- Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.
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