CO-OP PRINCIPLES
The Electric Co-op Democratic Process The importance of participating in cooperative elections BY CASEY MARTIN
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on’t let the divisive 2024 political outside attorney for two electric co-ops, I races cloud your view of upcoming work with a lot of them. Your board directors co-op elections. They are not — and are willing to spend tons of time and effort should not be — related. As members of to manage one of our most important local Colorado’s electric cooperatives, we have the employers, service providers, business partright (some might say obligation) to partic- ners, and charitable donors. They are willing ipate in the election of our local board of to field the concerns of local business owners, directors. After all, electric co-ops operate interest groups — both local and statewide under seven cooperative principles, one of — and individual members in an attempt to which is “democratic member control.” Our create policy and make decisions that benefit locally-elected boards, made up of our fellow the greatest number of stakeholders. They co-op members, have a fiduciary duty to act are willing to be responsible for the safety of in the best interest of their organizations and, many of our neighbors who risk injury daily by association, their members. It’s a tough to keep the lights on. And they do all of this and often thankless job, but an important without any real financial benefit. one to say the least. The importance of these positions and Co-op boards are responsible for hiring the trust we place in these directors obligates the co-op’s CEO or general manager, setting members to participate in upcoming elecrates, and managing the budget to ensure tions. We should make sure that our boards the reliable provision of electricity for are filled with knowledgeable, thoughtful, decades to come. Some also have the job of open-minded, reasonable, and progressive making sure you can stream your favorite local civic leaders. I don’t mean “progresshows through your fiber or wireless sive” in the sense of liberal political views. I internet connection without any inter- mean the traditional definition of the word ruption. They are tasked with doing these “progressive”: happening or developing gradthings in extremely dynamic energy and ually or in stages; proceeding step by step. telecom environments. Being traditionally “progressive” requires It takes a special kind of person to run an ability to look forward, anticipate change, for an electric cooperative board seat. As an and then act to prepare for it.
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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE APRIL 2024
We need board members who are also conservative in their approach. By “conservative,” I don’t mean the current political definition of the word. I mean “conservative” by a more traditional definition of that word: averse to change and holding traditional values. We want directors who value the traditions of the cooperative business model, including the independence of each organization to address the needs of its members. When it comes to electric cooperatives, one size does not fit all. We want directors who can watch the bottom line to ensure the solvency necessary to continue providing reliable electricity, improve local infrastructure, and protect the good-paying jobs of co-op employees while our costs of living continue to explode. This co-op election season, let’s do our homework, understand the issues involved, and cast ballots for co-op directors who are progressive in their vision and conservative in their approach. Doing so will set up Colorado’s electric cooperatives for years of successful and supportive service to our fellow members. Casey Martin is an attorney for two Colorado electric cooperatives and is a member of Sangre de Cristo Electric Association.