Seven principles. One community.
Cooperatives across the country, including Northwestern Electric Cooperative, follow the same seven guiding principles. They are why a co-op is different from any other power company.
We are owned by the people we serve.
At NWEC, you are not just a customer. You are a member and an owner. The seven cooperative principles guide how we make decisions, how we treat our members, and how we invest in Northwest Oklahoma.
The Seven Cooperative Principles
The foundation of every cooperative, and the way we do business every day.
Voluntary and Open Membership
Membership is open to everyone who can use the cooperative's services and is willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, regardless of background or beliefs.
Democratic Member Control
Members set policy and make decisions, and the elected representatives who serve them are accountable to the membership. In a primary cooperative like ours, every member gets one vote.
Learn about our Annual Meeting
Members' Economic Participation
Members contribute to the cooperative's capital fairly and control it democratically. Any surplus is used to develop the cooperative and to benefit members in proportion to how much they use its services.
Learn about Capital Credits
Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are self-governing organizations controlled by their members. Any agreement with other organizations, or any outside funding, must keep that member control in place.
Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected leaders, and employees, and they inform the public, especially young people, about what cooperatives are and how they work.
Explore our Youth Tour
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
By working together through local, national, regional, and international structures, cooperatives serve their members more effectively and strengthen the whole cooperative movement.
Concern for Community
While focused on the needs of their members, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies their members approve.
See our Community ProgramsThe seven at a glance
Save this list, share it, or use it to explain what makes a co-op different.
Voluntary and Open Membership
Democratic Member Control
Members' Economic Participation
Autonomy and Independence
Education, Training and Information
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Concern for Community
See the principles in action
These are a few of the ways NWEC puts the cooperative difference to work for you.
Your cooperative. Your community.
Questions about how your co-op works? We would love to talk. Reach out to the NWEC team any time.
2925 Williams Ave., Woodward, OK 73801 | (580) 256-7425
NWEC is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.