Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative was formed 85 years ago with the sole purpose of serving its members. Article II of CCEC’s Articles of Incorporation spells out in eight paragraphs all the things CCEC is charged to do for its members. Article III then states, “…without any purpose of pecuniary profit….” Being an engineer and not an English major, I had to verify that pecuniary means relating to money.

Eleven years ago, in my first position as general manager of a small, rural public utility district, I was immersed in my own life lesson on the value and significance of local governance to best serve the people without any profit motive. Local governance does this best because the people elected are from the community they serve. They are vested in the community and know the local needs and wants.

They know the people, often on a first-name basis. They are accessible and more prone to listening to the people they represent. My personal life lesson taught me my participation in local elections and governance really does move the needle.

When was the last time you felt like your voice was heard and influenced the outcome of a national election or policy decision? My answer is never. Is your answer different when it comes to local governance? It is for a group of CCEC members who made their voices heard starting 2021. They wanted more access to CCEC board meetings. The board heard their concern. Over the following months, the board discussed and contemplated changes to the policy “Member Attendance at Board Meetings.”

The first policy revision put an open member comment period on the agenda each month. Then, following additional member input, the policy was again revised to allow members to attend the duration of regular board meetings. As I watched the process unfold, I was impressed the board didn’t have a knee-jerk reaction but listened, learned, deliberated and discussed options for months before reaching their final policy decision. It is a great example of the local co-op board working to serve the membership.

Like in sports, your pro sports heroes have no clue who you are and don’t care that you are cheering them on from your armchair. But go to your child’s ball game and you make an impact. Locally governed CCEC is here to serve you—without any purpose of pecuniary profit. Please cast your ballot and make your voice heard.