The Cooperative Difference

Power poles along a road

Being a member of a cooperative has multiple benefits and advantages. A cooperative is owned by the members it serves. A cooperative is governed by a board of directors that are members themselves, and elected by the members, to serve as trustees of the cooperative. Other investor-owned utilities have shareholders to manage profits and are often headquartered far away. Locally owned and operated, co-op employees are immediately ready to serve members and offer easy accessibility. A co-op’s responsibility and sole intent of the utility is to serve the best interest of its members in the most efficient and effective manner. Cooperatives share the common values of Innovation, Accountability, Integrity, and Commitment to Community.

Cooperatives are not-for-profit businesses and exist solely to serve members. Our rates cover the cost of doing business and are not marked up to generate a profit. Mohave’s goal is to provide reliable electric service with the highest level of customer service.

The cooperative difference is about understanding our responsibility to our members.

If you are interested in registering to vote and furthering your engagement with cooperatives, visit the Co-ops Vote website.

MEC’s Commitment to Community

Co-ops and their employees support local causes through charitable contributions, volunteerism, and other activities that make a positive difference. At Mohave Electric, our community commitment is an integral part of where we work, what we do, and why we do it. We support education, health care, economic development, and other areas that contribute to quality of life in our community.

For more than six decades, Mohave Electric has been providing our members with the highest possible service at the lowest possible cost consistent with sound business principles. Our members are our highest priority, and we are working hard to make a difference for you.

Learn more about the Cooperative Difference on the Touchstone Energy website.

The 7 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.