Valentine’s Day may seem like an observance created by a greeting card company, but over time, it’s become a widely celebrated day, generating millions of dollars spent on flowers, candy and, of course, greeting cards professing our love. But Valentine’s Day isn’t just for the lovebirds. It’s also the perfect time to let our friends, family, co-workers and other special people in our lives know we care about them — with or without a store-bought greeting card.
So, in that vein, here is a list of five reasons why your electric cooperative loves serving you, the consumer-member.
Without you, your co-op wouldn’t exist
Your electric cooperative’s purpose is to provide you with reliable, responsible and safe electricity. Simply put, it exists to serve you. That’s why it was formed decades ago — to bring power to rural areas when for-profit utilities would not.
You enable your co-op to give back
A major part of every electric co-op’s mission is to serve its community and look after the greater good. With your assistance, your co-op is able to help the most vulnerable members of the community through food and toy drives and programs like Operation Round Up, Sharing Success and scholarships.
Members of your co-op also serve on the board of directors
Elected board officials provide guidance for setting co-op priorities and help make big decisions. Because board members live in the area, they’re able to serve as the pulse of the larger community and identify immediate and long-term needs. The broader co-op membership provides helpful input through their vote in director elections and by weighing in on co-op and community issues.
You help your co-op get it right
Co-op consumer-members are great about keeping their co-op in the know. Co-ops do their best to avoid power outages, but Mother Nature can occasionally throw a curveball. Members are quick to report any power disruptions and are patient as crews work to safely restore power. While outages are frustrating, your support as co-op personnel work through storms means so much. Your feedback is also appreciated on co-op programs and services. Your opinions are critical to the co-op’s success.
You are part of the community your co-op loves
Cooperative employees care about your community the same way you do, as they live and work there, too. They are invested and work to help it thrive. That’s why your electric co-op donates to local charities, schools, scholarship funds and other local groups. It’s also why your co-op invests in economic development, and why you’ll see co-op employees volunteering at local schools and other charitable and community endeavors.
As electric cooperatives, their mission is to enhance the quality of life in their communities. Electric cooperatives across the nation love serving their consumer-members and their local communities and seeing them continue to thrive.
