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Cooperative Principles

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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.

  • Home
  • Your Co-op
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Co-op History
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Our Directors
    • Director Districts
    • Our Mission
    • Power of Membership
    • Service Area
    • Staff
  • Customer Services
    • Capital Credits
    • Dakota Valley Services Corporation
    • Forms and Applications
    • Loan Program
    • ND Energy Share
    • Off-Peak Programs
    • Payment Options
    • Solar System
    • Storm Preparation
    • Together We Save
  • News & Events
    • ND Living Magazine
    • Annual Meeting
    • Annual Reports
    • Bill Inserts
    • For Sale Items
    • Press Releases
    • Schedule of Events
  • Community
    • Committed to Caring
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Operation Round Up
      • Operation Round Up
      • Operation Round Up FAQs
      • Operation Round Up Guidelines
      • Operation Roundup Board Members
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Contact Info

Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative

7296 Highway 281
Edgeley, ND 58433

By Phone: 1-800-342-4671

Report Outages: 1-800-342-4671

By Email: dvec@dakotavalley.com
DO NOT E-MAIL OUTAGE INFORMATION

About Us

Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative is one of 16 distribution cooperatives in North Dakota. It serves some 6,000 members on almost 4,700 miles of line in an area that stretches from the Minnesota border nearly to Ashley, and from the South Dakota border to Jamestown. From headquarter offices in Milnor and Edgeley, and outposts in Wahpeton, Hankinson, Oakes and Gackle, 43 employees work full-time to provide members with electricity and to improve the quality of rural life.

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©2023 Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative. All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • Your Co-op
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Co-op History
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Our Directors
    • Director Districts
    • Our Mission
    • Power of Membership
    • Service Area
    • Staff
  • Customer Services
    • Capital Credits
    • Dakota Valley Services Corporation
    • Forms and Applications
    • Loan Program
    • ND Energy Share
    • Off-Peak Programs
    • Payment Options
    • Solar System
    • Storm Preparation
    • Together We Save
  • News & Events
    • ND Living Magazine
    • Annual Meeting
    • Annual Reports
    • Bill Inserts
    • For Sale Items
    • Press Releases
    • Schedule of Events
  • Community
    • Committed to Caring
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Operation Round Up
      • Operation Round Up FAQs
      • Operation Round Up Guidelines
      • Operation Roundup Board Members