By-Laws of Wasco Electric Cooperative, Inc. Effective November 2005 Section 1. Qualifications and Obligations. Any person, firm, corporation, or body politic may become a member in the Cooperative by: provided, however, that no person, firm, corporation, or body politic shall become a member unless and until he, she or it has been accepted for membership by the Board of Directors. At each regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors, the applications of new members shall be presented to the Board of Directors for review and acceptance or rejection. No person, firm, corporation or body politic may own more than one (1) membership in the Cooperative. Two or more persons may jointly become a member and their application for joint membership may be accepted in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section, provided they comply jointly with the provisions of the above subdivisions (a), (b), (c) and (d). Section 2. Membership Fee. The membership fee shall be $5.00, the payment of which shall make the member eligible for one (1) metered account. An additional fee of $5.00 shall be paid for each additional metered account requested by the member. Section 3. Purchase of Electric Energy. Each member shall purchase from the Cooperative all electric energy used on the premises, other than electric energy generated on the premises and which generation conforms to all local, state and federal laws and regulations, referred to in the application of such member for membership, and shall pay therefore monthly after electric energy usage is determined for all electric energy used by each account in the member’s name, and according to the policies of the cooperative, at rates which shall from time to time be fixed by resolution of the board of directors. It is expressly understood that amounts paid for electric energy in excess of the cost of service are furnished by members as capital and each member shall be credited with the capital so furnished as provided in these By-Laws. Each member shall pay to the Cooperative such minimum per month regardless of the amount of electric energy consumed, as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors from time to time. Each member also shall pay all amounts owed by the member to the Cooperative as and when the same shall become due and payable. Section 4. Non-liability for Debts of the Cooperative. The private property of the members of the Cooperative shall be exempt from execution for the debts of the Cooperative and no member shall be individually liable or responsible for any debts or liabilities of the Cooperative. Section 5. Expulsion of Members. The Board of Directors of the Cooperative may, by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members thereof, expel any member who shall have violated or refused to comply with any of the provisions of the articles of association of the Cooperative or these bylaws or any rules or regulations adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors. Any member so expelled may be reinstated as a member by a vote of the members at any annual or special meeting of the members. The action of the members with respect to any such reinstatement shall be final. Section 6. Withdrawal of Membership. Any member may withdraw from membership upon payment in full of all debts and liabilities of such member to the Cooperative and upon compliance with such terms and conditions as the board of directors may prescribe. (b) A membership may be transferred by a member to himself or herself and his or her spouse, as the case may be, jointly upon the written request of such member and compliance by such husband and wife jointly with the provisions of subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 1 of this Article. Such transfer shall be made and recorded on the books of the Cooperative. (c) When a membership is held jointly, upon the death of either, such membership shall be deemed to be held solely by the survivor with the same effects as though such membership had been originally issued solely to the survivor and the deceased’s name shall be removed on the books of the Cooperative as part of said joint membership; provided, however, that the estate of the deceased shall not be released from any membership debts or liabilities to the Cooperative. Section 8. Removal of Directors and Officers. Any member may bring charges against an officer or director by filing them in writing with the Secretary of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall immediately notify the officer or director of the charges filed against him or her. The officer or director shall have an opportunity at the meeting at which the charges against him or her shall be considered, to be heard in person or by counsel and to present evidence. The person or persons bringing the charges against him shall have the same opportunity. The officer or director may also file with the Secretary a written statement setting forth concisely his or her evidence against the charges made. The ARTICLE II Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members may be called by the board of directors or upon a written request signed by at least ten percent (10%) of all the members and it shall thereupon be the duty of the Secretary to cause notice of such meeting to be given as hereinafter provided. Special meetings of the members may be held at any place within the County of Wasco in the State of Oregon specified in the notice of the special meetings. Section 4. Quorum. As long as the total number of members does not exceed five hundred (500) at least five percent (5%) of the total number of members present in person shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the members. In case the total number of members shall exceed five hundred (500), then at least twenty-five (25) members present in person shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the members. Provided, however, that a quorum for purposes of Article IX and any amendment of Article IX as provided in Article X of the Cooperative's Articles of Association shall be ten percent of all the members of the Cooperative. If less than a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. The provisions of this Article IX shall apply whenever any of the following transactions are proposed or considered by the Cooperative: (a) a sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all, or substantially all, the property and assets of the Cooperative to any person, partnership or unincorporated association, or with a domestic or foreign corporation subject to Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 57; or (b) a voluntary dissolution of the Cooperative; or (c) a merger of the Cooperative with or consolidation into a domestic or foreign corporation subject to Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 57; or (d) conversion of the Cooperative into a business corporation subject to Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 57.3: Requirements. (a) Any action within the scope of Section 2 of this Article shall require the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the directors of the Cooperative. (b) If the Board of Directors shall resolve to submit to the members for a vote at any annual or special meeting any proposal or recommendation within the scope of Section 2, of this Article IX, no meeting of the members shall be called or held for the purpose of voting on any such proposal or recommendation for at least 180 days after the date of such resolution. The purpose of this waiting period is to permit the Cooperative's membership to become informed on the issue. As soon as practicable after the date the Board adopts any proposal or recommendation referred to herein, the Board shall give written notice to each member of the following: (1) The full text and date of the Board's resolution; and (2) An objective explanation of the proposed action which is the subject of the resolution. (c) Ten percent of the membership, present in person, shall be necessary for a quorum at any regular or special meeting at which the members will vote on any matter within the scope of Section 2 of this Article IX. (d) No member's vote may be cast by a proxy on any matter within the scope of Section 2 of this Article IX. (e) An affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members of the Cooperative is required to approve any action within the scope of Section 2 of this Article IX.4: Severability. In the event any provision, condition or part of this Article shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or voidable, the remaining provisions and conditions shall be and remain in full force and effect. Section 5. Voting. Each member shall be entitled to one (1) vote and no more upon each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the members. At all meetings of the members at which a quorum is present, all questions shall be decided by a vote of a majority of the members voting thereon at such meeting in person, by mail or electronically, except as otherwise provided by law, the articles of association of the Cooperative, or these bylaws. If a husband and wife hold a joint membership they shall jointly be entitled to one (1) vote and no more upon each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the members. Section 6. Voting by Mail or Electronically. Any member who is absent from any annual or special meeting of the members may vote by mail or electronically upon any motion or resolution to be acted upon at any such meeting. The Secretary shall enclose with the notice of such meeting an exact copy of such motion or resolution to be acted upon and such absent member shall express his vote thereon by writing “yes” or “no” on each such motion or resolution in the space provided therefore and enclose each such copy so marked in a sealed envelope bearing his name and addressed to the Secretary or use the cooperative’s Web site to accomplish the same function. When such vote is received by mail from an absent member it shall be accepted and counted as a vote of such absent member at such meeting. Any member who is absent from any meeting provided for in Section I of Article II to the election of directors may also vote by mail or electronically in the election of directors by ballot as hereinafter provided in these bylaws. If a husband and wife hold a joint membership and are absent from any annual or special meeting of the members they shall jointly be entitled to vote as provided in this Section. The failure of any such absent member to receive a copy of any such motion or resolution or ballot shall not invalidate any action which may be taken by the members at any such meeting. Section 7. Order of Business. The order of business at the annual meeting of the members, and so far as possible at all other meetings of the members, shall be essentially as follows; ARTICLE III Section 2. Director District. (a) Beginning with the annual meeting in 1996, one director will be elected from Districts 1, 2, and 3. The director position in each district currently held by the person with the most years of service will be nominated in 1996. In 1997 the position held by the director next in line with seniority will be nominated. In 1998 the third director position in each district will be nominated. Director 3 Boundary Description: (b) Qualifications and Tenure. The persons elected as directors at the first meeting of the members of the Cooperative shall compose the board of directors until the first annual meeting or until their successors shall have been elected and shall have qualified. The board of directors elected by the members, at the annual meeting held in 1949, at their first meeting thereof shall decide by lot or otherwise, as they deem best, who shall constitute the three (3) directors whose terms of office are to end at the following annual meeting (1951), and to end at the next annual meeting (1950), and who shall constitute the three (3) directors whose terms of office are to end at the next succeeding annual meeting (1952). Beginning with the annual meeting held in 1950 and at each annual meeting thereafter, three (3) directors shall be elected by ballot, by and from the members, to serve for a term of three (3) years and until their successors shall have been elected and shall have qualified, subject to the provisions of these bylaws with respect to the removal of directors. No members shall be eligible to become or remain a director or to hold any position of trust in the Cooperative who is not a bonafide resident in the area served by the Cooperative, or who is in any way employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise or a business selling electric energy to the Cooperative, and no person shall take or hold office as a director who is the incumbent of or candidate for an elective public office in connection with which a salary is paid. When a membership is held jointly by a husband or wife, either one, but not both, may be elected a director, provided however, that neither one shall be eligible to become or remain a director unless both shall meet the qualifications hereinabove set forth. Nothing in this section contained shall, or shall be construed to, affect in any manner whatsoever the validity of any action taken at any meeting of the board of directors. Section 3. Nominations. It shall be the duty of the board of directors to appoint, not less than thirty (30) days nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of a meeting of the members at which directors are to be elected, a committee on nominations consisting of not less than five (5) nor more than eleven (11) resident members of the Cooperative who shall be elected so as to give equitable representation on the committee to the geographical areas served or to be served by the Cooperative. No officer or member of the board of directors shall be appointed a member of such committee. The committee shall prepare and post at the principal office of the Cooperative at least twenty (20) days before the meeting a list of nominations for directors, but any fifteen (15) or more members may make other nominations in writing over their signatures not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting and the Secretary shall post the same place where the list of nominations made by the committee is posted. A ballot marked "Ballot for Directors" containing the names of the nominees so posted, alphabetically arranged and stating the residence of each shall be mailed with the notice of the meeting. The Secretary shall also mail with the notice of the meeting a statement of the number of directors to be elected and showing separately the nominations made by the committee on nominations and the nominations made by petition. Such statement of the Secretary shall also inform the members of the manner in which they may vote by mail for directors as provided in this section. Any member who is absent from any such meeting may vote by mail for directors by marking on the ballot an "X" opposite the names of the number of candidates equal to the number of directors to be elected and enclosing the ballot in a sealed envelope bearing his name, addressed to the Secretary. When such ballot so enclosed is received by mail from any absent member it shall be accepted and counted as a vote for directors by ballot of such absent member at such meeting. The members may, at any meeting at which a director, or directors, shall be removed as herein before provided, elect a successor or successors thereto without compliance with the foregoing provisions with respect to nominations. If a husband and wife hold a joint membership and are absent from any such meeting they may vote by mail for directors by jointly marking and enclosing the ballot hereinabove provided for. Not withstanding anything in this Section contained, failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Section shall not affect in any manner whatsoever the validity of any election of directors. Section 4. Vacancies. Subject to the provisions of these bylaws with respect to the removal of directors, vacancies occurring in the board of directors shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors and directors thus elected shall serve the unexpired portion of the term of the member whose place such directors are elected to fill and until their successor shall have been elected and shall have qualified. Section 5. Compensation. Directors as such shall not receive any salary for their services, but by resolution of the board of directors a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors, and attendance at meetings of the Oregon State Rural Electrification Association, Regional and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association meetings and attendance at such other meetings as protect and advance Rural Electrification. Except in emergencies, no director shall receive compensation for serving the Cooperative in any other capacity, nor shall any close relative of a director receive compensation for serving the Cooperative unless such compensation shall be specifically authorized by a vote of the members. Section 6. Rules and Regulations. The board of directors shall have power to make and adopt such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law, the articles of association of the Cooperative, or these bylaws, as it may deem advisable for the management, administration and regulation of the business and affairs of the Cooperative. Section 7. Accounting System and reports. The board of directors shall cause to be established and maintained a complete accounting system, which, among other things, subject to applicable laws and rules and regulations of any regulatory body, shall conform to such accounting system as may from time to time be designated by the administrator of the Rural Utilities Service of the United States. The financial records of the Cooperative shall be examined by the board of directors at regular meetings of the Board of Directors. The board of directors shall also after the close of each fiscal year cause to be made a full and complete audit of the accounts, books and financial condition of the Cooperative as of the end of the year. Such audit reports shall be available to the members at the following annual meeting. Section 8. Change in Rates. Written notice shall be given to the Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration of the United States of America not less than ninety (90) days prior to the date upon which any proposed change in the rates charged by the Cooperative for electric energy becomes effective. Section 9. Term of Office. (a) The term of office of each Director shall be three years, commencing upon adjournment of the membership meeting at which elected and terminating upon adjournment of the membership meeting at which the successor is duly elected. ARTICLE IV Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by the President, or any three (3) directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the board of directors may fix the time and place in Wasco Electric Cooperative Inc.’s service area, for the holding of any special meeting of the board of directors called by them. Board members may also meet via telephone conference call. Section 4. Quorum. A majority of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board of directors, provided, that if less than a majority of the directors is present at said meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. Section 5. Manner of Acting. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors. ARTICLE V Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers shall be elected by ballot, annually by and from the board of directors at the first meeting of the board of directors held after each annual meeting of the members. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, then such election shall be held within ten (10) days after the annual election of directors. Each officer shall hold office until the first meeting of the board of directors following the next succeeding annual meeting of the members, or until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified, subject to the provisions of these bylaws with respect to the removal of officers. Section 3. Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Cooperative will be served thereby. Section 5. President. The President shall: Section 6. Vice President. In the absence of the President, or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors. Section 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall: Section 9. General Manager. The board of directors shall appoint a general manager who may be, but who shall not be required to be, a member of the Cooperative. The general manager shall perform such duties as the board of directors require and shall have such authority as the board of directors delegates. Section 10. Bonds of Officers. The board of directors may require the treasurer or any other officer of the Cooperative charged with responsibility for the custody of any of its funds or property, to give bonds in such sum and with such surety as the board of directors shall determine. The board of directors in its discretion may also require any other officer, agent, or employee of the Cooperative to give bond in such amount and with such surety as it shall determine. Section 11. Compensation. The compensation, if any, of any officer, agent or employee who is also a director or close relative of a director shall be approved by the board of directors and the power, duties and compensation of any other officers and agents shall be fixed by the board of directors. Compensation of the general manager shall be fixed by the board of directors. Section 12. Reports. The officers of the Cooperative shall submit at each annual meeting of the members reports covering the business of the Cooperative for the previous fiscal year and showing the condition of the Cooperative at the close of such fiscal year. ARTICLE VI Section 2. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money and all notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Cooperative shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents, employee or employees of the Cooperative and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the board of directors. Section 3. Deposits. All funds of the Cooperative shall be deposited to the credit of the Cooperative in such bank or banks as the board of directors may select. ARTICLE VII ARTICLE VIII Section 2. Patronage Capital in Connection with Furnishing Electric Energy. In the furnishing of electric energy the Cooperative's operations shall be so conducted that all patrons will through their patronage furnish capital for the Cooperative. In order to induce patronage and to assure that the Cooperative will operate on a non-profit basis the Cooperative is obligated to account on a patronage basis to all its patrons for all amounts received and receivable from the furnishing of electric energy in excess of operating costs and expenses properly chargeable against the furnishing of electric energy. All such amounts in excess of operating costs and expenses at the moment of receipt by the Cooperative are received with the understanding that they are furnished by the patrons as capital. The cooperative is obligated to pay by credits to a capital account for each patron all such amounts in excess of operating costs and expenses. The books and records of the Cooperative shall be set up and kept in such a manner that at the end of each fiscal year the amount of capital, if any, so furnished by each patron is clearly reflected and credited in an appropriate record to the capital account of each patron, and the Cooperative shall within a reasonable time after the close of the fiscal year notify each patron of the amount of capital so credited to his account. All such amounts credited to the capital account of any patron shall have the same status as though they had been paid to the patron in cash in pursuance of a legal obligation to do so and the patron had then furnished the Cooperative corresponding amounts for capital. All other amounts received by the Cooperative from its operations in excess of costs and expenses shall, insofar as permitted by law, be (a) used to offset any losses incurred during the current or any fiscal year and (b) to the extent not needed for that purpose, allocated to its patrons on a patronage basis and any amount so allocated shall be included as a part of the capital credited to the accounts of patrons, as herein provided. In the event of dissolution or liquidation of the Cooperative, after all outstanding indebtedness of the Cooperative shall have been paid, outstanding capital credits shall be retired without priority on a pro rated basis before any payments are made on account of property rights of members. If, at any time prior to dissolution or liquidation, the board of directors shall determine that the financial condition of the Cooperative will not be impaired thereby, the capital then credited to patrons' accounts may be retired in full or in part. After November 13, 1999 the Board of Directors shall determine the method, basis, priority and order of retirement, if any, for all amounts heretofore and hereafter furnished as capital. Not withstanding any other provision of these bylaws, the board of directors, at its discretion, shall have the power at any time upon the death of any patron, who was a natural person, if the legal representatives of his estate shall request in writing that the capital credited to any such patron be retired prior to the time such capital would otherwise be retired under the provisions of these bylaws, to retire capital credited to any such patron immediately upon such terms and conditions as the board of directors, acting under policies of general application, and the legal representatives of such patrons estate shall agree upon; provided, however, that the financial condition of the Cooperative will not be impaired thereby. The patrons of the Cooperative, by dealing with the Cooperative, acknowledge that the terms and provisions of the articles of incorporation and bylaws shall constitute and be a contract between the Cooperative and each patron, and both the Cooperative and the patrons are bound by such contract, as fully as though each patron had individually signed a separate instrument containing such terms and provisions. Capital credited to the account of each patron shall be assigned for security purposes to the Cooperative to insure payment of unpaid accounts. Capital credits refunded to patrons as a general retirement or payment to an estate shall first be applied to any unpaid balance due to the cooperative. Any balance after clearing the past due balance shall be paid to the member. ARTICLE X Unless such sale, mortgage, lease or other disposition or encumbrance is authorized at a meeting of the members by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members voting thereon at such meeting in person or by mail, and the notice of such proposed sale, mortgage, lease, or other disposition or encumbrance shall have been contained in the notice of the meeting; provided, however, that not withstanding anything herein contained, the board of directors, without authorization by the members, shall have full power and authority to borrow money from the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, the United States of America, Reconstruction Finance Corporation, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, and in connection with such borrowing to authorize the making and issuance of bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness and, to secure the payment thereof, the authorized execution and delivery of a mortgage or mortgages, or deed or deeds of trust upon, or the pledging or encumbrancing of any or all the property, assets, rights, privileges, licenses, franchises and permits of the Cooperative whether acquired or to be acquired, and wherever situated, all upon such terms and conditions as the board of directors shall determine. ARTICLE XI ARTICLE XII ARTICLE XIII ARTICLE XIV
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