Did you know ACE Hardware, State Farm, Land O’Lakes, and Pee Dee Electric are all cooperatives? We may be in different industries, but we all share a passion for serving our members and helping our communities to thrive.
In fact, all cooperatives adhere to the same set of seven principles that reflect our core values of honesty, transparency, equity, inclusiveness, and service to the community. October is National Co-op Month, so this is the perfect time to reflect on these principles that have not only withstood the test of time, but provide a framework for our future. Let’s take a look at the seven cooperative principles.
Voluntary and Open Membership
Just like all co-ops, Pee Dee Electric was created out of necessity – to meet a need that would have been otherwise unmet in our community. Pee Dee Electric was founded when neighbors worked together to bring electricity to our rural communities.
Membership is open to everyone able to use our service, regardless of race, religion, age, disability, gender identity, language, political perspective, or socioeconomic status.
Democratic Member Control
Each member gets a voice and a vote in how the co-op is run and each voice and vote are equal. Pee Dee Electric’s leadership team and employees are active in the community. Our board of directors, who helps set long-term priorities and strategic direction for the co-op, live locally on co-op lines.
Members’ Economic Participation
Members participate in the cooperative by providing capital to the co-op. Members pay their electric bills to cover the cost of wholesale power, operating expenses, and fixed expenses. The amount left over is called margins and is used to provide capital to build and upgrade the electric distribution system to maintain the system’s reliability.
Autonomy and Independence
Pee Dee Electric is proud to be a part of a network of 26 electric cooperatives in North Carolina, as well as more than 900 electric cooperatives nationally. Still, each one of these is independent and controlled by its own members. Local members elect their co-op’s board of directors, which means that every co-op stays in tune with local members and community needs.
Education, Training, and Information
We provide members with information like what you see in the Pee Dee Hi-Lite, on our web site (pdemc.com) and social media pages each month and provide ongoing training for employees to serve you best. We also work hard to keep our elected officials informed about local and energy issues.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Although Pee Dee Electric is independent, we are stronger because we work with our sister cooperatives at the local, state, and national levels for the benefit of our members.
Concern for Community
Pee Dee is a reflection of our local community and its evolving needs. We’re neighbors, and we are all part of this shared community. We view our role as a catalyst for good and making our corner of the world a better place.
Because we are guided by our seven cooperative principles, it’s not just about dollars — it’s about
providing reliable electricity and related services while focusing on value, quality member service, and
enhancing life in the communities we serve.
Cooperatively yours,
Donnie Spivey
CEO and Executive Vice President
Discover Pee Dee Electric
Find out more about Pee Dee Electric, your electric cooperative.
