Skip to main content
Home
Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • My Cooperative
    • Board & Leadership
    • Annual Report
    • Bylaws
    • Energy Mix
    • District Map
    • Rates
    • Safety
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Non-Discrimination Statement
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Community & Youth
    • Trading Post
    • Operation Round Up
      • Operation Round Up Golf Fundraiser
    • Youth Tour
    • Leadership Summit
    • Energy Camp
  • Member Services
    • Apply for Service
    • Payment Options
    • Outages
    • Member Meetings
    • Products & Rebates
    • Capital Credits
  • News
    • Power Source Newsletter
    • Recent News
  • Resources
    • Energy Assistance Programs
    • Solar Calculator
    • Forms
    • Safety Quiz
    • Together We Save
    • Call Before You Dig

Cooperative Principles

SWRE is owned by the members we serve! Members elect a board of directors to represent the interests of the membership and to set policies and procedures for the co-op. Cooperatives are not-for-profit organizations that sell energy to members at cost and return any excess revenue back to members in the form of capital credits. SWRE continuously works to improve the quality life of the rural communities we serve through the delivery of safe, reliable and affordable electricity. All cooperatives are guided by these seven core cooperative principles:

 

1. Open and Voluntary Membership

Membership in a cooperative is open to all persons who can reasonably use its services and stand willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic circumstances.

 

2. Democratic Member Control

Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Elected representatives (directors/trustees) are elected from among the membership and are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote); cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.

 

3. Members’ Economic Participation

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative; setting up reserves; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

 

4. 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 as well as their unique identity.

 

5. Education, Training & Information

Education and training for members, elected representatives (directors/trustees), CEOs, and employees help them effectively contribute to the development of their cooperatives. Communications about the nature and benefits of cooperatives, particularly with the general public and opinion leaders, helps boost cooperative understanding.

 

6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives

By working together through local, national, regional, and international structures, cooperatives improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs.

 

7. Concern for Community

Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.

Tags
  • cooperative principles
  • cooperative difference
  • mission
  • co-op principles
  • Back to Top

    Quick Links

    • Contact Us
    • News
    • Privacy Policy

    Contact Info

    Southwest Rural Electric Association, Inc.
    700 N. Broadway | P.O. Box 310
    Tipton, OK 73570

    Office: 1-800-256-7973

    Outage Hotline: 1-833-590-0353

    24/7 Automated Phone Line: 855-940-3943

     

    About Us

    Southwest Rural Electric is an electric cooperative headquartered in Tipton, Oklahoma. SWRE's service area includes 3,103 miles of power line and 7,610 active meters in 6,000 square miles across southwest Oklahoma and north central Texas. 

    Follow Us Online

    ©2025 Southwest Rural Electric Association. All Rights Reserved.

    • Home
    • About Us
      • My Cooperative
      • Board & Leadership
      • Annual Report
      • Bylaws
      • Energy Mix
      • District Map
      • Rates
      • Safety
      • Cooperative Principles
      • Non-Discrimination Statement
      • About Touchstone Energy
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
    • Community & Youth
      • Trading Post
      • Operation Round Up
        • Operation Round Up Golf Fundraiser
      • Youth Tour
      • Leadership Summit
      • Energy Camp
    • Member Services
      • Apply for Service
      • Payment Options
      • Outages
      • Member Meetings
      • Products & Rebates
      • Capital Credits
    • News
      • Power Source Newsletter
      • Recent News
    • Resources
      • Energy Assistance Programs
      • Solar Calculator
      • Forms
      • Safety Quiz
      • Together We Save
      • Call Before You Dig