JUST AS YOU cast your ballot in local, state and national elections, as a member of Central Texas Electric Cooperative, you have an opportunity to make your voice heard.
That’s because every co-op—whether it’s your electric cooperative, your credit union or a farm cooperative—follows the basic principle of Democratic Member Control.
Most often, you’re asked to vote for and elect individuals who will represent you on your co-op’s board of directors. These folks are your friends, neighbors and fellow residents. Occasionally, you
may be asked to vote on a policy, such as a change to the bylaws (the “constitution” of the co-op). And because you’re a member and an owner of this cooperative, you get a say.
This is one of the key differences between a co-op member and a customer of an investor-owned utility. Other utilities are not too interested in customers’ opinions on how the company should be run, but co-ops rely on the participation of members. Participation can take many forms: attending the annual meeting, voting, paying your bill and receiving capital credits, or participating in other co-op
events. If you’re really interested in being involved, you can even run for the board of directors.
That involvement is important for the well-being of the co-op. Central Texas EC depends on the input and guidance of our community. As the electric utility industry evolves, having engaged members willing
to take an active role is increasingly valuable.
I hope you’ll truly take advantage of what it means to be a member. Getting involved with the co-op is a great way to be engaged with your community. In the early days, when the co-op was just getting
started, neighbors helped neighbors. These days, it can seem like our lives are busier and more digitally demanding than ever, but the need to connect and belong is still necessary for us and our communities to thrive.
Get involved, and be sure to cast your vote in Central Texas EC’s next election.