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Guiding Principles

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative members benefit by having effective and fair principles for guiding the course of the organization and regulations for administering the regular business.

Like other Cooperatives from around the world, CVEC subscribes to the seven Cooperative Principles. We are governed according to our Bylaws and we operate by the Terms and Conditions that were revised as of January 1, 2001.

Take a few minutes to learn more about these important documents.

Cooperative Principles

Cooperatives worldwide generally operate using the same principles as adopted in 1995 by the International Cooperative Alliance. The principles are part of a cooperative statement of identity, which also includes the definition of a cooperative and a list of cooperative values.

Definition

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.

Values

Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.

All cooperative businesses adhere to these seven guiding principles:

Voluntary and Open Membership - Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, 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 policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Members' 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. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership

Members allocate surpluses for any or 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 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, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

Bylaws

Adopted December 31st 2001, and last revised in June of 2008, the Bylaws are our governing document.

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative Inc. Bylaws (271 KB) in Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® format. (Note that most browsers have it pre-installed.)

Terms and Conditions

This document sets forth the terms and conditions under which Central Virginia Electric Cooperative supplies Distribution Service to its Members / Customers within the designated service territory and is on file with the Virginia State Corporation Commission. Changes in these terms and conditions may be made with the approval of the Virginia State Corporation Commission from time to time to meet new or unforeseen conditions. The rules and regulations contained herein are not to be considered complete in every detail for furnishing Distribution Service, but are intended to be a general outline of the practices of the Cooperative.

The Cooperative, upon request, will provide any Applicant or Member with a copy of the rate schedules and terms and conditions under which Distribution Service will be supplied.

Terms and Conditions Document (

281 KB)

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative
Corporate Headquarters: 800 Cooperative Way Arrington, VA 22922-3300	phone: (434) 263-8336 toll-free: (800) 367-2832 fax: (434) 263-8339	Mailing Address: P.O. Box 247 Lovingston, VA 22949