Cooperative Principle #7 – Concern for Community

A blue and yellow home electricity icon.“Concern for Community” is the Seventh Cooperative Principle and has a far-reaching impact on the communities we serve. Our core function is to provide safe, reliable electricity to our members for the lowest possible cost. As a member-owned cooperative, we strive to go above and beyond. 

We sponsor many events and activities in the communities we serve allowing employees to participate in various capacities. We support area schools, civic organizations, local rodeos, volunteer fire departments, community fundraising events and local boards for multiple organizations. 

Operation Round-Up (ORU) embodies the collective spirit of our cooperative and the community. Members participate in ORU by allowing AEC to round up their monthly bill to the next whole dollar. 

The funds collected are then distributed to individuals and organizations in our communities by an ORU Foundation Board of Trustees. These trustees meet every other month to consider applications and distributions. 

Over the lifetime of this program, our collective efforts have resulted in more than $780,000 in funds collected and $735,000 distributed to significantly impact our local communities. 

A group of people posed together for a photo inside of a basketball gym.This past year, we have had the pleasure of hosting two Member Engagement Events. These events, such as a football game, are not just about the game but about the personal connections we foster. AEC covers the admission cost for all those attending, gives away attendance gifts to registered members, and sponsors half-time events. This is another avenue for us to reach out to our members, show our appreciation for their support, and get to know each other better outside of our day-to-day interactions. 

Another way we impact the communities we serve is through our subsidiary, AEC Services, which provides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services, specializing in ground source heat pumps (geo systems). AEC Services also offers blown cellulose insulation services, and we have a full-time electrician on staff to serve members’ needs on their side of the meter. These services are available to members and non-members alike. 

These are some of the ways AEC serves the communities in our service territory. As a member-owned cooperative, we are here to serve the needs of our members and communities.