The Power of Cooperation

What does it mean to be a cooperative?

A COOPERATIVE (OR CO-OP) is a jointly owned, democratically managed enterprise operated for the benefit of its members rather than outside shareholders. That simple definition is at the heart of everything we do. As your member-owned electric cooperative, every decision we make is focused on providing reliable, affordable electricity and improving the quality of life in the communities we serve.

October is National Cooperative Month, an annual celebration that has recognized the cooperative business model since 1964. It is a time to celebrate the unique difference cooperatives make and the value of organizations that are owned by the people they serve.

While ECI REC is your local electric cooperative, we are also part of a much larger cooperative network. Many of the organizations we partner with every day are cooperatives themselves. These relationships strengthen our ability to provide dependable service, advocate for rural communities, invest in new technologies, and create opportunities that benefit our members.

In this issue, you’ll learn more about several of the cooperative partners that work alongside ECI REC to support our mission. Together, these organizations demonstrate the power of 
cooperation—working together to accomplish more than any one organization could achieve alone.

One example of this partnership is the Iowa Youth Tour. Since 1958, Iowa’s electric cooperatives have sponsored high school students on an unforgettable weeklong trip to Washington, D.C. Through our cooperative partnerships, ECI REC is proud to provide this experience at no cost to two local students each year. Participants explore our nation’s capital, learn about government and leadership, and gain a deeper understanding of the cooperative business model.

This year was especially memorable as we had the privilege of sending twins—a first for us! We are excited to share more about their Youth Tour experience in this newsletter.

Thank you for being a member-owner of ECI REC. Your membership connects you not only to your local cooperative, but to a nationwide network of cooperatives working together to strengthen rural America.