The Power of Connections

Issuing capital credit checks to members is an exciting but enormous annual undertaking. From the left are Roman Schuette and Pam Reale.

Ballots are collected by Nominating Committee member Randy Lewis at the 2006 CREC Annual Meeting.

The focus of electric cooperatives is to deliver affordable, reliable service to their members.

When cooperatives generate revenue that exceeds the cost of providing service, it’s reserved as capital credits. These reserves are used to build and maintain facilities and infrastructure as well as provide for other service needs. If funds remain after all expenses have been met at the end of a fiscal year, a cooperative’s board of directors can choose to refund these capital credits directly to members. Because electric cooperatives follow democratic processes, every member can participate in shaping policies and influencing business operations. This includes the opportunity to run for and serve on the board of directors, vote in electing local board members, and enact other proposed initiatives.

Electric cooperatives and their members are also committed to supporting and enriching the communities where they reside.

12 Cuivre River Electric Cooperative