Most consumers would not equate active involvement in their electric company with helping their community. But Medina Electric Cooperative isn’t an ordinary utility company.
We’re a co-op, and our business model is meant to serve the members and the community—not to make a hefty profit for investors five states away. Our customers are more than consumers; they’re members and owners of the cooperative. Therein lies the difference.
Our core purpose and mission is to provide our members safe, reliable and affordable power. As a co-op, we’re motivated by service to the community rather than profits. After annual expenses, remaining funds (net margins) are allocated to members’ accounts based on their electric bill. These funds, called capital credits, are reinvested in the co-op for improvements and operations. When financially feasible, a portion of these capital credits may be returned to members as a bill credit or check.
We’re governed by a board of directors who are elected by our members. Our board comprises members who live and work in our service area because they’re in a position to know where community investments are most needed.
As a member, you can actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. This is why we value your participation in our annual election and meeting and at other co-op events. We depend on the guidance and perspective of our members and board to help set priorities for the co-op and guide our decisions.
In line with our cooperative values, Medina EC has numerous ongoing programs that benefit the community. Every June, for example, we participate in the Government-in-Action Youth Tour, which takes local high school students to the nation’s capital to meet with lawmakers, enabling students to learn firsthand how our democracy works.
We also have a scholarship program and support local community service initiatives through our Community Empowerment Program grants and our Volunteer Fire Department Truck Giveaway. Like all co-op operations, decisions about these programs are led by member guidance and feedback.
We like to also give back to our communities in the form of sweat equity through our Volunteer Time Off program, which gives all of our 147 employees eight hours of volunteer time to use at the organizations of their choosing.
We recognize the vital role our cooperative plays in energizing our local economy. To continue to innovate and effectively serve the community, we rely on you, our members, to provide input.
You’re an important part of allowing us to operate effectively and help our community thrive, and we value your perspective.
Until next time,
Trey Grebe
