Members Celebrate 2012 as the "International Year of Cooperatives"
Joining in the celebration of the year 2012 as the "International Year of Cooperatives," we are reminded that cooperatives do indeed build a better world.
Cooperatives are very different from investor-owned businesses. Because we are owned and controlled by our membership, our members remain our primary focus. The decisions made here are driven by the need to make our members' lives better rather than by the need to make a profit.'
Cooperatives operate by seven principles on which we were founded:
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.
3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.
5. Education, Training, and Information
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.
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7. Concern for Community
Cooperative work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
Cooperatives are unique because of the enduring partnerships upon which they are built. Members, employees, directors, and communities come together to accomplish a common goal-improving the quality of life for our members and communities. Brian Sparks,
CEO
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From our Board President
The UDWI Annual Meeting was held Saturday, March 24. The meeting took place at White River Valley High School and Gymnasium.
2012 is being celebrated around the globe as the "International Year of the Cooperative." In the United States, there are 29,000 cooperatives providing a wide variety of goods and services to the members and others. Within your cooperative, the Utilities District of Western Indiana, you have an important role as a member-owner. You are to be commended for your conscious efforts toward increasingly efficient use of electricity. The Board of Directors and UDWI management team continue to maintain a sound financial footing for your cooperative, while providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity today and for the future.
An important aspect of our annual meeting is the selection of members for the Board of Directors. Petitions for candidacy were received in the three districts to be selected at the 2012 Annual Meeting. District 8 had three candidates, and a written ballot was used for the selection of the District 8 Director. Participation in the election of directors is very important and is one of the several ways you, the member, help lead your cooperative.
The annual meeting was a day of excellent food, helpful activities, casual conversation, product and service education, wonderful entertainment, great prizes, and important participation. I look forward to seeing you at the 77th Annual Meeting of the Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC in 2013!
James Weimer,
President
Over 1,313,000 HOURS WORKED without a lost-time accident as of January 28, 2012!
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