Sumner-Cowley Electric Cooperative, Inc., guided by cooperative principles, pledges to continue building on its heritage of providing reliable energy services with an eye on future technologies.
Core Values
- Innovation
- Accountability
- Integrity
- Commitment to Community
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 their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership.
- Member’s Economic Participation –Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. They 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 the cooperative autonomy.
- Education, Training and Information - Cooperatives must provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives.
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives – Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, regional, national 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.
History
Rural Electricification Act
Electric cooperatives, including Sumner-Cowley Electric, played a vital role in changing the way rural farmers operated and forever changed rural American homes. Prior to the late 1930s, approximately 90% of rural American homes had no electricity. During this time, farmers did not have access to modern machinery, as private utility companies argued it was too expensive to supply power to these isolated rural farmers. Appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators, were commonly found in city homes, but not found in rural America. The absence of electricity in rural areas kept their economies entirely and exclusively dependant on agriculture because businesses and factories preferred to located in cities where electricity was readily available.
Two political figures, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Senator George W. Norris from Nebraska, rose to the challenge of providing electricity to rural farmers. In 1935, President Roosevelt established the Rural Electrification Administration. A year later, Senator Norris worked with Congress to pass the Rural Electrification Act. The REA allowed the federal government to make low-cost loans to groups of farmers (cooperatives), making rural electricity a reality.