Every October, we celebrate National Cooperative Month, a time to reflect on what makes co-ops special. This year, our slogan adds a little extra flavor, letting you know that, as a cooperative, members are our jam.

It might sound like a silly slogan we’re using to spread the fun, but it’s the truth. Cooperatives put people before profits, serve the community, and give you and your neighbors the power to make local decisions. And to me, that’s as sweet as it gets.

Like your favorite jam, Decatur County REMC is made of real ingredients: real people, real care, and real principles seven principles, to be exact that guide everything we do and remind us why the cooperative model is worth preserving.

Our recipe for success: The Seven Cooperative Principles

1. OPEN AND VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP

Everyone is welcome, regardless of race, religion, or gender. If you need our services and accept the responsibilities of membership, you’re a member.

2. DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL

You’re not a customer, you’re a member. That means you help guide the direction of your cooperative by electing fellow members to serve on our board of directors and make decisions on your behalf.

3. MEMBERS’ ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION

When you invest in us, we invest in you. At Decatur County REMC, we spread your dollars across the community, improving your service, strengthening local nonprofits, and, when possible, returning any leftover money to you.

4. AUTONOMY AND INDEPENDENCE

We’re local through and through, which means we answer to you, not faraway investors. It also means we won’t enter into any agreements or partnerships that put local control of the co-op at risk.

5. EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND INFORMATION

Knowledge is power. We prioritize education, training, and sharing information about the issues that affect our co-op.

6. COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES

Have you tried a mixed-berry jam? The flavors support each other just like co-ops support each other. Together, we’re stronger. We work with other cooperatives at the local, state, and national levels to share knowledge, improve services, and strengthen the communities we serve.

7. CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY

This is our home, too, and Decatur County REMC succeeds when our communities do. That’s why we care deeply about supporting you, through college scholarships, community sponsorships, and charitable donations, just to name a few.

These aren’t just words on paper. They’re the ingredients that make Decatur County REMC a sweet addition to our community. Members are our jam not only in October but all year long.

Thanks for being part of something meaningful.