Coop News from EnerStar

Seven cooperative principles guide all electric co-ops including EnerStar. Two of them are “Concern for the Community” and “Education, Training and Information.” The education and training does not just apply to co-op employees. It is our mission to reach out and educate those living in the communities we serve. In April, we had several opportunities to do just that. 

The safety of our members is important to EnerStar Electric Cooperative. So throughout year, your locally-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative does its part to promote consumer education about how electricity works and how to prevent electrical accidents.

The weather did not dampen the tradition as EnerStar Electric Cooperative members gathered for their 79th Annual Meeting of Members on March 24. Members enjoyed a complimentary pancake and sausage breakfast prior to the meeting. Once again, members were able to participate in the meeting through real-time voting. Each membership was given a remote device to help “voice” their answers to questions offered by President/CEO Mike Clark throughout the meeting.

As a not-for-profit rural electric cooperative EnerStar is owned by the members who receive electricity from our cooperative. At the end of the year after all the revenues have been collected and all the expenses are paid the remaining margins (profits) are allocated to members who received electric service during the year. These are called capital credits. They represent member equity in our cooperative. The EnerStar Board of Directors reviews the financial health of the cooperative each year to determine if it is financially feasible to authorize a capital credit retirement.