The Seven Cooperative 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 their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. Members have equal voting rights--one member, one vote.

Members Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. In proportion to their transactions with the cooperative, members allocate surpluses to develop the cooperative and support 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 and Information
Cooperatives provide education about cooperatives 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 philosophy 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.

We embrace and live by these principles.

Statement of Nondiscrimination
Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, Inc. is the recipient of federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service and is subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the USDA which provide that no person in the United States shall be excluded from participation in, admission or access to, denied the benefits of or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any of this organization’s programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap.
The person responsible for this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance is Duane Ziller, the manager of Human Resources and Safety.
Any individual or specific class of individuals who feel that this organization has subjected them to discrimination may obtain further information about the statutes and regulations listed above from, and or file a written complaint with the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 80250 or the Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, Washington, D.C. 80250. Complaints must be files within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.

Poudre Valley REA • PO Box 272550, 7649 REA Parkway, Fort Collins, CO 80527-2550 - Map
Phone: 970.226.1234 • FAX: 970.226.2123 • Email: pvrea@pvrea.com

The Seven Cooperative 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.

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.