The Cooperative Difference: Why Member Ownership Matters
By Jason Cates, Chief Executive Officer
As the CEO of your electric cooperative, I want to take a moment to talk about something that truly sets us apart: you are not just a customer—you are a member-owner. That distinction is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s what makes the cooperative model so powerful.
Unlike investor-owned utilities, which exist to generate profits for shareholders, our mission is simple: to provide reliable, affordable electricity to the people we serve—our members. Every dollar we earn is reinvested into the system or returned to you in the form of capital credits. That’s the cooperative difference.
The Seven Cooperative Principles: Our Guiding Values
Electric cooperatives operate under seven internationally recognized principles that ensure we stay true to our members:
- Voluntary and Open Membership: Anyone in our service area can join. We exist to serve our community, not to exclude.
- Democratic Member Control: You have a voice. Members elect the board of directors, ensuring decisions reflect your interests.
- Member Economic Participation: Your investment matters. Excess revenues are returned to you, not outside investors.
- Autonomy and Independence: We are locally owned and governed, making decisions that benefit our communities.
- Education, Training, and Information: We keep members informed and engaged, empowering you to make smart energy choices.
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives: We work together with other co-ops to share resources and strengthen our collective impact.
- Concern for Community: We go beyond electricity, supporting local programs and economic development.
These principles aren’t just words; they guide every decision we make.
Strength in Numbers: State and National Networks
Citizens Electric Corporation is part of a much larger family. Through the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives (AMEC) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), we join forces with hundreds of other co-ops across the state and nation. This network gives us:
- A Strong Political Voice: Together, we advocate for policies that protect rural communities and keep electricity affordable.
- Mutual Aid During Storms: When disaster strikes, we’re never alone. Crews from across the country come to help restore power quickly.
A Test of Our Strength: The January 2025 Ice Storm
In January 2025, we faced the worst ice storm in CEC’s history. It left thousands of members without power for more than two weeks. The devastation was overwhelming, but so was the response. Thanks to our cooperative network, crews from across Missouri and beyond came to our aid. Their support helped us rebuild faster and stronger than we could have alone. That’s the power of cooperation among cooperatives.
Why Member Ownership Matters
Being a member-owner means you have a stake in something bigger than yourself. It means your voice counts, your community matters, and your cooperative exists for you, not for profit. Together, we are stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future.
Thank you for being part of this cooperative family. Your trust and support make all the difference.