Manager’s Message – October 2018
Director Elections
The Wasco Electric Cooperative nominating committee, consisting of members from each director district, met September 5 to nominate candidates for election at this year’s annual meeting.
This year’s candidates for election to three-year terms as director are:
District 1: Bob Hammel, incumbent; and Fritz Ellett.
District 2: Stacy Eakin and Justin Miller.
District 3: Mike Collins, incumbent; Pat Davis and Dennis Ross.
These candidates are up for election at the 79th Annual Meeting of Wasco Electric Cooperative on Saturday, November 17. I invite each of you to attend.
If you are unable to attend, absentee ballots and the annual meeting booklet will be mailed at the end of October. I encourage each member to vote on the leadership of your cooperative.
October is National Co-op Month
As we celebrate, I want to reflect on what co-ops bring to Americans.
More than 29,000 co-ops operate in the U.S., with about 27 million members. More than 900 electric co-ops maintain nearly half of the electric distribution lines in the U.S. These lines cover three-quarters of the U.S. land mass
and provide electricity to more than 42 million Americans.
Like all other co-ops, Wasco Electric operates under these seven cooperative principles:
Voluntary and Open Membership.
Co-ops are open to all who are able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.
Democratic Member Control. Co-ops are controlled by their members, who set the policies and make decisions. Elected representatives are accountable to the members, who have equal voting rights: one member, one vote.
Member Economic Participation. Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. They allocate surpluses to develop the co-op, and benefit in proportion to their transactions with the co-op.
Autonomy and Independence. Cooperatives are self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members.
Education, Training and Information. Co-ops provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute to the development of their co-ops. They inform the public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives. Cooperatives serve their members by working together locally, nationally, regionally and internationally.
Concern for Community. While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities.
As always, if you have any questions regarding any aspect of your cooperative, feel free to stop by or give us a call.
Jeff Davis, General Manager