Rural Electric Cooperatives are a foundational component of life in rural America. They are the fabric around which people build their lives. Therefore, it is the inherent responsibility and duty of the board and management to keep their cooperative financially and operationally healthy.
“For Profit” electrical providers exist to provide profits to their shareholders. In contrast, electric cooperatives like GCEC are designed to operate on a non for profit basis to serve all their members.
GCEC is an organization that is open to all persons able to use our services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership — without regard for gender, social, racial, political or religious preferences.
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Elected representatives (directors/trustees) are elected from among the membership and are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote); cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Rural Electric Cooperatives are a foundational component of life in rural America. They are the fabric around which people build their lives. Therefore, it is the inherent responsibility and duty of the board and management to keep their cooperative financially and operationally healthy.
“For Profit” electrical providers exist to provide profits to their shareholders. In contrast, electric cooperatives like GCEC are designed to operate on a not-for-profit basis to serve all their members.
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control as well as their unique identity.
Education and training for members, elected representatives (directors/trustees), CEOs, and employees help them effectively contribute to the development of their cooperatives. Communications about the nature and benefits of cooperatives, particularly with the general public and opinion leaders, helps boost cooperative understanding.
By working together through local, national, regional, and international structures, cooperatives improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs.
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.
