Commentary Tackling Decline in Rural Voting W
Chris Meyers General Manager, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives
ith Election Day quickly approaching, America’s
electric cooperatives con- tinue to build momen- tum behind an innovative program to boost the po- litical clout of rural Amer- ica. Called Co-ops Vote, the
non-partisan campaign has one simple goal: in- crease voter turnout at the polls this November. In the 2012 elections, rural voter turnout dropped by 18 percent, twice the decline seen across the nation as a whole. In Oklahoma, elec- tric cooperatives serving in the state’s 77 counties also champion rural voter participation. We em- brace Co-ops Vote because we understand the val- ue of having our voices heard. Nationwide, participation in Co-ops Vote is strong. More than 560 electric co-ops represent- ing Oklahoma and every other state in which co- ops operate are taking part in the effort. As of mid-August, 50 co-ops had achieved “5-star sta- tus,” indicating they had undertaken at least fi ve distinct program activities, such as hosting an
E
Gary McCune President, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives
employee engagement event or voter registration drive, building awareness of Co-ops Vote through newsletter articles, or promoting the campaign on social media. More than half a million people have seen news about Co-ops Vote through social media, and several thousand have taken the pledge to get out and vote in this election. Co-ops Vote focuses elected leaders on the peo- ple who are most invested in the success of their own communities. With 42 million members in 47 states, electric co-ops are a powerful voice on national issues that have a local impact. Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives serve more than 500,000 member-owners; each vote counts and each vote matters.
Anyone can take the pledge online by visiting
www.vote.coop. The website provides a variety of voter resources and information on key issues, such as the importance of rural economic devel- opment and the continuing need for safe, reliable and affordable electricity. You can show your support for rural commu- nities by joining co-op members in Oklahoma and across the country in casting your ballot on November 8.
Celebrating the Cooperative Business Model
very October, co- operatives from various sectors celebrate Nation-
al Cooperative Month. At the core of this annual cel- ebration is a recognition of the cooperative difference, which serves as the foun- dation for a time-tested
business model. It’s an opportunity to remind member-owners as well as the general public about the value and purpose of cooperatives. Proven effective since 1844 when it was found- ed by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in England, the cooperative business model is grounded on Seven Cooperative Principles, which are: Voluntary and Open Membership; Democratic Member Control; Members’ Economic Participation; Autonomy and Independence; Education, Training and Information; Cooperation Among Cooperatives; and Concern for Community. In the U.S., more than 29,000 co-ops from various industries serve consumers every day. In fact, there are more co-ops in our local commu- nity than most people realize. In Oklahoma, there are 27 distribution electric cooperatives delivering safe, affordable and reliable electricity
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to more than 500,000 members-owners. Two generation and transmission electric coopera- tives in Oklahoma generate the bulk of the power you benefi t from every day. Other forms of co- operatives are telephone cooperatives, credit unions, agricultural and dairy co-ops as well as daycare centers and news services. Co-ops are even represented on the shelves at our local gro- cery stores, such as Land O’Lakes, Welch’s, Organic Valley, Cabot Cheese, Sunkist, Ocean Spray and many more. According to latest data, more than 130 mil- lion people belong to a co-op in the U.S. alone, and co-ops employ more than 2 million Americans. Specifically, electric cooperatives serve 42 million consumer-members in 47 states and employ more than 70,000 people nation- wide. Additionally, electric cooperatives own and maintain 2.6 million miles of line or 42 percent of the nation’s electric distribution miles. For electric co-op employees, it is an honor to serve you, member-owners, with the power you count on every day. Cooperatives are built on cooper- ation. Cooperatives have passed the test of time. The cooperative business model is as solid today as it was a century ago. Celebrate by supporting co-ops in your community. Your electric co-op appreciates your membership and participation.
Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Chris Meyers, General Manager Gary McCune, President
Scott Copeland, Vice-President Larry Hicks, Secretary Tim Smith, Treasurer
Staff
Sid Sperry, Director of PR & Communications
sksperry@oaec.coop
Anna Politano, Editor
editor@ok-living.coop
Hayley Leatherwood, Multimedia Specialist
hleatherwood@ok-living.coop
Shannen McCroskey, Marketing Specialist
smccroskey@ok-living.coop
Kirbi Mills, Director of Admin. Services
kmills@oaec.coop
Hillary Barrow, Admin. Services Assistant
hbarrow@oaec.coop
Amanda Lester, Editorial Intern
intern@oaec.coop
Editorial, Advertising and General Offi ces P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154 Phone (405) 478-1455
Oklahoma Living online:
www.ok-living.coop Subscriptions
$3.48 per year for rural electric cooperative members.
$7 per year for non-members. Cooperative Members: Report change of
address to your local rural electric cooperative. Non-Cooperative Members: Send address
changes to Oklahoma Living, P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309.
Oklahoma Living (ISSN 1064-8968),
USPS 407-040, is published monthly for consumer-members of Oklahoma’s rural electric cooperatives by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, 2325 E. I-44 Service Road, P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309.
Circulation this issue: 323,429
Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Association of Electric
Cooperatives is a statewide service organization for the following electric cooperatives: Alfalfa, Arkansas Valley, Canadian Valley, Central,
Choctaw, Cimarron, CKenergy, Cookson Hills, Cotton, East Central Oklahoma, Harmon, Indian, KAMO Power, Kay, Kiamichi, Lake Region, Northeast Oklahoma, Northfork, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ozarks, People’s,
Red River Valley, Rural, Southeastern, Southwest Rural, Tri-County, Verdigris Valley, and Western Farmers Electric Cooperative.
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