During the October 28 board meeting, Fergus Electric Co-op’s Board of Directors approved offering a $6,000 scholarship for a student entering an accredited line technician school hoping that, after certification, the student will have an opportunity to find work in Montana.
Scholarship money is made available to the co-op through unclaimed capital credits. Any year that the co-op issues a general retirement of capital credits, there are many checks returned to the co-op by the post office because the address we have on file for the inactive member is no longer valid. The co-op attempts to locate the former members, but if we are unsuccessful, the money is placed into a fund where, if unclaimed for five years, it becomes eligible for the co-op to use for educational purposes, such as for scholarships.
This scholarship was established in appreciation for the work our line personnel do every day. Electrical linemen work as a team, building and maintaining electrical power systems. We are looking forward to awarding a scholarship to a student who has chosen a career as an electrical lineman. By assisting a future electrical lineman to fulfill their ambition to have a career in the electric utility industry, we help assure that the electric cooperatives, which we hold in the highest regard, will continue to have a solid, capable work force going forward.
Do not let the title lineman dissuade you. Lineman is an electric utility term. Although female linemen are not as common as male, women hold about two percent of distribution and transmission lineman positions. Power line work is challenging, but rewarding work. It’s high risk and you can expect to be outdoors in all types of weather imaginable to repair, replace, and restore power. Linemen take pride in their work, and the co-op is certainly proud of its linemen.
Mission Statement
Fergus Electric Cooperative - A Tradition of Integrity, Commitment and Quality Service. In accordance with Fergus Electric’s objective of providing the best possible service at the lowest possible cost consistent with sound business principles, it is the cooperative’s intent that all members receive uniform and equitable consideration and treatment.
Statement of Ideals
We believe:
That the cooperative has an important position in Central Montana’s society and economy.
That the opportunities and responsibilities in this enterprise require and deserve a high level of performance by trustees as well as all employees.
That the individual and corporate relationships must be governed by the highest standards of conduct and ethics.
That a position of leadership shall be maintained in the community.
Statement of Objectives.
General:
Offer electric service at lowest possible cost consistent with sound business principles.
Promote the efficient use of electric energy.
Retain the member-owned status of the cooperative as originally intended and sanctioned by the Capper-Volstead Act.
2. Members:
Help maintain the standard of living of the membership by providing the best possible service at an affordable cost.
Foster and maintain the cooperative’s reputation for fair dealing, prompt service, dependability, integrity, courtesy, productivity, and technical competence.
Employees and Trustees
Establish the view that our human assets are most important and endeavor to develop and improve them not only as a matter of material advantage, but also a matter of moral obligation.
Encourage and reward progress, fully inform, train, develop, and properly assign all employees and officers in order that their lives and work have purpose, dignity, and satisfaction, both on and off the job.
Public.
Cultivate the cooperative’s image as a good citizen in the communities it serves and encourages employees and trustees to take active part in making the community, state and nation a better place to live.
Cooperate with similar enterprises and industries for mutual betterment.
Promote, as far as possible, the wise and efficient use of resources not only on the local, but state and regional levels as well.
COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES
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.
Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Members’ Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. 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 for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help 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.
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.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
HISTORY
On May 14, 1938, wheels were set in motion which would bring electric power to rural Montana. Several ranchers were instrumental in getting the project rolling and they petitioned the Rural Electric Administration (REA), now called Rural Utilities Service (RUS), in Washington, D.C. to form a rural electric association to supply power and to allocate funds for the project.
From the small beginning of 176 miles of power lines in 1939, Fergus Electric Cooperative has grown to 4,030 miles of energized line covering 24,000 square miles in 12 counties. The member count has increased from 203 in 1939 to approximately 3,753 in 2012 .
In the 1930's, construction workers used hand tools to dig holes and erect poles. The "banjo" - a straight bladed narrow shovel and the "spoon" - a tool used to scoop out dirt were the principal tools available. In the 1940's a semi-mechanical digger, called a "budda" came into use. In the 1960's, Fergus Electric acquired single and double bucket trucks. And in the 1970's, the cooperative acquired a high ranger on a four wheel-drive truck. As needed, equipment is purchased and replaced.
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