At annual meetings, members help shape their co-ops’ future
May 2026
Community Electric Cooperative, 2010
Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative, 2013
Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative, 2024
by Laura Emery, Staff Writer
When electric cooperatives were first formed in the early 20th century, they represented something extraordinary for rural Americans. It wasn’t just about access to electricity; it was also about having a voice in how that service would be delivered. Neighbors, united by a shared goal, built their own utilities to serve rural areas investor-owned utilities would not. They then showed up in large numbers to annual meetings to help shape the decisions that directly impacted their homes, farms, businesses and communities.
Though electricity is often taken for granted today, participation in co-op decision-making remains important.
Unlike investor-owned utilities, your electric cooperative operates at cost, not for profit. It is owned and democratically governed by the members it serves — you. Each member has a vote in electing representatives to the co-op’s board of directors. Those elected directors help guide the cooperative’s future. With today’s rapidly changing energy environment, participation matters more than ever.
To be involved in your local electric cooperatives does not require specialized knowledge — it simply requires a willingness to show up — in person, online, by phone or by proxy. When you take part, you help ensure that your cooperative continues reflecting the needs, priorities and values of the communities it serves.
Your cooperative belongs to you. Its future depends on you. Attend your annual meeting, cast your vote and stay connected to continue a tradition that began many years ago — when neighbors came together not only to bring electricity to their rural communities, but also to help shape the future for generations to come.
For details about your annual meeting, contact your local electric cooperative.
