Mission
Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (Statewide) was the first organization of its kind in the nation. Established in 1935, Statewide brought our communities together to serve as a central resource to meet the needs of its member cooperatives.
Working together, Statewide and Indiana’s electric cooperatives partnered to become an effective team. Whether standing together in times of disaster or facing the many challenges of a complex industry – the partnership stands the test of time.
Today, the internal workings of Statewide are composed of skilled professionals, providing valuable resources and a wide range of services. These services strengthen your cooperative and your staff.
The Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. exists to enhance the competitiveness of its member distribution cooperatives and generation and transmission cooperatives.
It provides leadership and value for its members by:
- Providing a unified voice and acting as an advocate for the Indiana electric cooperative program.
- Coordinating and leveraging members’ resources, in the spirit of cooperation, in order to help them fulfill their commitments to their members.
Cooperative Principles
Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organization, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and make decisions. Men and women servicing as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. They usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surplus for any of all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible, benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including the governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public- particularly young people and opinion leaders- about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
Cooperation among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperative work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.