Issuu

ARTICLE I Membership Section 1 - REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP Any person, firm, association, corporation, cooperative, company, partnership, trust or body politic or subdivision thereof may become a member in Cotton Electric Cooperative (hereinafter called the “Cooperative”) by: (a) Filing a written application for membership therein; (b) Agreeing to purchase from the Cooperative electric energy as hereinafter specified; (c) Agreeing to comply with and be bound by the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws of the Cooperative and any rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees, and (d) Paying a nonrefundable membership fee as set by the Board of Trustees. Section 2 - JOINT MEMBERSHIP The term “member” as used in these bylaws shall be deemed to be a jointly held membership if the membership application is signed by both persons. When such membership is held in the name of two persons, any provisions relating to the rights and liabilities of any member or membership shall apply equally with respect to each holder of a joint membership. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the effect of the hereinafter specified actions by or in respect to the holders of a joint membership shall be as follows: (a) The presence at a meeting of either or both shall be regarded as the presence of one member and shall constitute a joint waiver of notice of the meeting; (b) The vote of either separately or both jointly shall constitute one vote; (c) A waiver of notice signed by either or both shall constitute a joint waiver; (d) Notice to either shall constitute notice to both; (e) Expulsion of either shall terminate the joint membership; (f) Withdrawal of either shall terminate the joint membership; (g) Either but not both may be elected or appointed as an officer; or trustee, provided that both meet the qualifications for such office. Section 3 - CONVERSION OF MEMBERSHIP (a) A membership may be converted to a joint membership upon the written request of the holder thereof and the agreement by the person who wishes to become a member to comply with the Articles of Incorporation, bylaws and rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees. (b) Upon the death of any person who is a party to the joint membership, all rights and benefits, including any capital credits, of such membership shall be held solely by the survivor, who shall be responsible for all debts due the Cooperative. The estate of the deceased shall not be released from any debts due the Cooperative. (c) Upon the death of any individual member, the estate of the deceased shall not be released from any debts due the Cooperative. Section 4 - PURCHASE OF ELECTRIC ENERGY Each member, for so long as such are directly occupied or used by the member, shall purchase from the Cooperative electric power and energy used on all premises described in the member’s application for membership, or to which electric service has been furnished by the Cooperative through such membership, and shall pay therefore, monthly at rates which shall from time to time, be fixed by the Board of Trustees. Each member shall pay to the Cooperative such minimum amount per month as shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees from time to time, regardless of the amount of energy consumed. Each member shall also pay all amounts owed to the Cooperative as and when the same shall become due and payable. Section 5 - TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP Any member may withdraw from membership upon compliance with such uniform terms and conditions as the Board of Trustees may prescribe. The Board of Trustees of the Cooperative may, by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of all the trustees, expel any member who shall have refused or failed to comply with any of the provisions