October is National Cooperative Month and Nodak Electric Cooperative is proud to be the local electric cooperative for your region! As a cooperative, we operate a little differently than other electric utilities. Since we are member-owned and operated, we are rooted in seven key cooperative principles that guide us in always putting our members’ needs first.

1. Education, Training and Information
   Education empowers growth for the members, representatives and staff of Nodak Electric. Spreading cooperative awareness enhances understanding of the cooperative and the cooperative way to the community and beyond.
2. Members’ Economic Participation
   Members invest fairly and control the cooperative’s capital. Part of the capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Any surpluses are allocated by the members to serve goals like growth, reserve funds and approved ventures – and some even comes back to members in the form of capital credits!
3. Autonomy and Independence
   Cooperatives are autonomous organizations controlled by their members! If the cooperative enters into an agreement with an organization or raises capital from an external source, it does so on terms that ensure democratic control for the membership.
4. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
   By cooperatives working together through local, national, regional and international structures, we can improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs.
5. Democratic Member Control
   Members actively shape policies and choices for our cooperative. Directors are elected from within our membership and held accountable by our members. All members also have equal voting rights.
6. Open and Voluntary Membership
   Membership is open to anyone who would reasonably use our services and embraces membership responsibilities, regardless of their background.
7. Concern for Community
   As a cooperative, we are devoted to the sustainable development of our communities shaped by our member-supported policies.

Thank you to our members for your trust and stewardship throughout Nodak Electric Cooperative’s years of providing affordable, reliable and safe energy to the region.