Webster defines a cooperative or co-op as “an enterprise or organization owned by and operated for the benefit of those using its services.”
Though co-ops come in many shapes and sizes, all follow seven internationally recognized principles:
Each year, the third Saturday in June is reserved for Walton
EMC’s annual meeting held at the
3. Members' Economic Participation.
We don’t have customers at Walton EMC; we have customer-owners. When you pay your initial membership fee, you become part-owner of the co-op. Because we are not-for-profit, excess revenue is returned to customer-owners in the form of capital credits assigned to their account based on individual patronage.
4. Autonomy &
Walton EMC is a stand-alone company that functions based on the democratic control of our customer-owners. We do not rely on government funding nor do we enter into any agreements that would sacrifice the integrity of our self-governing organization.
5. Education, Training & Information
Each year, Walton EMC sponsors participants for the Young Couples Co-op Conference, Youth Leadership Conference, and Washington Youth Tour. Our co-op also hosts field trips for local schools and organizes school programs to educate students about Walton EMC.
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
Walton EMC has entered into several business endeavors with
other co-ops. EMC Security is a company that is equally owned by Walton EMC,
Jackson EMC and Greystone Power. Power supply contracts are negotiated jointly
with Satilla REMC and Colquitt EMC. Our co-op is also an active member of
Georgia EMC, a trade organization of all electric co-ops in
7. Concern for Community
Concern for community is a priority for Walton EMC. Our
co-op partners with numerous charitable organizations including the American Cancer
Society's Relay for Life, March of Dimes and the
