In recent years, our cooperative has seen a dramatic increase in the turnover of our membership. This is certainly more of an indication of a change in demographics and lifestyles than a statement about cooperative membership. Over the course of a year, for every net new member we add, six or seven more join and leave. While the cooperative is growing, the length of time an average customer has been a member gets shorter. With that in mind, it seems that with this being Cooperative Month, what better time to reflect on the principles that make electric cooperatives so great.
The 42 electric cooperatives in Georgia, like Tri-County, are member owned. Tri-County EMC’s purpose is not profit. Revenue collected greater than the costs to operate the cooperative are returned to members in the form of Capital Credits. Your cooperative is governed by a member-elected board of directors that works at your pleasure and acts as your local voice and your liaison should you have any needs or concerns. Each October, you have an opportunity to vote for your board of directors and to participate in determining the direction of your business.
As your local cooperative, Tri-County EMC is uniquely tied to every community we serve. Our employees serve the place they also call home. We provide leadership in community and economic development, efficiency programs, earth-friendly electricity through Green Power EMC, and member-contributed help for those in need through Operation Roundup. (2443-01)
I hope you take the time to learn about the power of the cooperative business model. It has successfully met the energy needs of most of Georgia for over 65 years. <<
