Cooperative Difference

Co-op Principles
Capital Credits
Types of Co-ops
Touchstone Energy
Co-op Connections Discount Card

Co-op Principles

Cooperative businesses, like United Power, are special because they are owned by the consumers they serve and because they are guided by a set of seven principles that reflect the best interests of those consumers.

Seven Cooperative Principles

All cooperative businesses adhere to these seven guiding principles:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership - Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control - Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
3. Members' Economic Participation - Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership.
   Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence - 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 by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
5. Education, Training, and Information - Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives - Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7. Concern for Community - While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

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Types of Co-ops

Cooperatives are committed to creating opportunity and enhancing quality of life in the communities in which their members live and work. Every day, co-ops demonstrate their commitment to community by generating jobs, income and growth. And through economic development activities, charitable contributions, fundraising, volunteerism, donations of in-kind resources and many other activities, they support local causes ranging from education to the environment.

Cooperatives provide a wide array of goods and services such as health care, insurance, housing, food, heating fuel, hardware, credit unions, child care, and electricity. More than 100 million people are served by over 47,000 cooperatives in the U.S.

Links to Various Co-op Networks and Associations

• Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA)
• CHF International
• Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF)
• Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
• Farm Credit Council
• National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU)
• National Association of Housing Cooperatives (NAHC)
• National Cooperative Bank (NCB)
• National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA)
• National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC)
• National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF)
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
• National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC)
• National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC)
• National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA)
• Mid America Cooperative Council (MACC)
• Overseas Cooperative Development Council (OCDC)
• Rural Business and Cooperative Services, USDA

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Touchstone Energy

United Power is proud to be a Touchstone Energy Cooperative. Touchstone Energy is an alliance of more than 700 cooperatives in 46 states that collectively deliver power and energy solutions to more than 40 million customers every day. To find out more about Touchstone visit the national website www.touchstoneenergy.coop.

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