Welcome to Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative.
Becoming a member of the local electric cooperative is required by the Bylaws and Rules of every member-owned coooperative in the Country. In 1936, when the U.S. Government encouraged local citizens to band together and create their own electric cooperative, those citizens started by adopting their own Bylaws and Rules. Under the cooperative form of business, the co-op could borrow the funds necessary to build and maintain its own electric distribution system. Every member shares equally in ownership and controls their electric cooperative, while the cooperative operates in the best interest of its members. Almost twenty-years later, during the early 1950's, telephone service was provided to rural areas of America using the same cooperative membership structure. Today, there are approximately 1,000 member-owned electric cooperatives and membership is the reason for its continued success.
Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative is owned by the members. Because of that, taking care of those who use our power is our top priority. We don’t answer to investors or distant stockholders.
Neighbors joined together back in the 1930s to start America’s electric cooperatives. Because of that, Heartland REC remains committed to the betterment of local communities. Heartland members make their voice heard through the annual election of members of the Board of Directors, and by attending the annual Meeting of the Members.
The Seven 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.
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