Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people – regardless of gender, race, political ideology or religion – who live within our coverage area.
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people – regardless of gender, race, political ideology or religion – who live within our coverage area.
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-reliant organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in determining policies, making decisions and electing representatives – directors and trustees chosen from the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights – one member, one vote. Cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Members equally contribute to the collection and control of their cooperative's capital. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses proportionally, as approved by the membership.
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative is a member-owned utility that provides electricity to customers in parts of 10 central Oklahoma counties. The service area includes approximately 3,500 square miles covering all or parts of Oklahoma, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Lincoln, Creek, Hughes, Okfuskee, Okmulgee and McIntosh counties. CVEC's headquarters are located at the intersection of Interstate 40 and US Highway 377 (State Highway 99). CVEC also has a district office located in Eufaula, Oklahoma, and a construction and maintenance facility in Wetumka, Oklahoma. CVEC provides electric utility service to more than 24,000 accounts, including residential, commercial and industrial members.