Several years ago, I watched a video of a motivational speaker that I have never forgotten. The speaker held a phone book in his hand and began tearing out pages one by one. “See how easily these are torn out,” he said. He then tried to rip the entire phone book in half but failed. “My point is that we are much stronger together than we are alone,” he explained.
It was a simple illustration, but it made a lasting impression. As I watched, I immediately thought of the cooperative business model and how fortunate we are that togetherness is at the heart of being a co-op.
This month, we join cooperatives nationwide in celebrating National Co-op Month. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness of a trusted, proven way to do business and to strengthen communities. To mark the occasion, I’d like to share some of the ways CHELCO serves our members—and why we are strongest when we work together.
Not-for-Profit
CHELCO exists not to make a profit, but to serve you, our members. Our rates are designed to cover the cost of delivering safe, reliable energy to homes, businesses, and critical services like hospitals and schools. They are structured to ensure fairness, so no group of members subsidizes another.
What sets us apart from investor-owned utilities is that we don’t build rates around profit margins. Any revenue collected beyond the cost of serving you is returned through capital credit retirements, which are approved annually by our Board of Trustees and distributed on a 20-year cycle.
For example, in 2024, our Board approved a $1.5 million retirement. If you were a member in 2004, you received a check or bill credit reflecting your share in CHELCO. Think of it as your ownership stake in the cooperative. You can learn more about this process at CHELCO.com/capital-credits.
The Seven Cooperative Principles
Another foundation of being a co-op is our commitment to the Seven Cooperative Principles:
- Voluntary and Open Membership
- Democratic Member Control
- Members’ Economic Participation
- Autonomy and Independence
- Education, Training and Information
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives
- Concern for Community
Other businesses may practice some of these, but cooperatives are unique because we are guided by all seven—every day, in every decision.
For example, “Democratic Member Control” comes alive each year during our trustee elections. Members nominate candidates, and members vote. Trustees govern on your behalf, and I’m grateful to work with a Board that represents our membership so well.
We also see “Cooperation Among Cooperatives” in action during hurricane recovery and other collaborative efforts. While we’ve been spared in recent years, CHELCO has supported fellow co-ops after devastating storms, and we know that if the roles had been reversed, we’d have the full support of our fellow co-ops. This mutual aid is one of many reasons I’m proud to be part of a cooperative family.
My favorite principle, however, is “Concern for Community.” It defines who we are. Investor-owned utilities once deemed rural America too unprofitable to serve. But communities came together, forming cooperatives to do what was right for their neighbors. Today, CHELCO honors that legacy by investing in our communities—through donations, volunteerism, and simply going above and beyond in our daily work.
Forward Together
Looking ahead, electric cooperatives and other utilities face many challenges. However, CHELCO will continue to be a good steward of your resources, protecting our ability to keep power reliable and affordable for years to come.
Whatever changes may come, we’ll move forward together—just as we have for more than 85 years—striving to be the phone book, not just the pages.
