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Roby Office: (325) 776-2244      Snyder Office: (325) 573-3161     Stamford Office: (325) 773-3684

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  • Call to report outages: Roby (325) 776-2244, Snyder (325) 573-3161, Stamford (325) 773-3684. 
  • We will NOT ask you for personal information or to wire money. To verify any contact claiming to be BCEC, especially if it seems suspicious
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  • About Us
    • About Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
    • Bylaws of BCEC
    • BCEC Office Hours
    • Our History
    • Rates and Fees
    • The Seven Cooperative Principles
    • Who is Big Country Electric Cooperative?
  • Member Forms and Notices
    • Capital Credits
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Medical Priority
    • Member Forms
    • Payment Options
    • Residential Solar
  • Service Beyond Electricity
    • Economic Development
      • Rural Development Loans
      • Service Territory Information and Demographics
    • Operation Round Up
    • Scholarships
    • Youth Tour
    • AirMedCare Network
    • Second Nature Air Filters
    • TWN Communications Internet and Phone Services
  • Outage Information
    • BCEC Outage Information
    • Reporting a Power Outage
    • Storm Preparation
    • Load Shedding Information
    • Backup Generator Use
  • Safety
    • 811 Locate Request
    • Electrical Safety Checklist
    • Safety Quiz
  • Careers at Big Country Electric Cooperative
  • Annual Meeting 2022

The Seven Cooperative Principles

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  1. About Us
  2. 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 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.

The Seven Cooperative Principles
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Big Country Electric Cooperative
1010 W. South 1st
Roby, Texas 79543

Roby Office: (325) 776-2244

Snyder Office: (325) 573-3161

Stamford Office: (325) 773-3684

Our Mission

To be the first-choice electric provider. Through safe, reliable, competitive service, we deliver quality of life for our Members, communities and employees that bring us all together. 

 

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©2023 Big Country Electric Cooperative. All Rights Reserved.

  • About Us
    • About Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
    • Bylaws of BCEC
    • BCEC Office Hours
    • Our History
    • Rates and Fees
    • The Seven Cooperative Principles
    • Who is Big Country Electric Cooperative?
  • Member Forms and Notices
    • Capital Credits
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Medical Priority
    • Member Forms
    • Payment Options
    • Residential Solar
  • Service Beyond Electricity
    • Economic Development
      • Rural Development Loans
      • Service Territory Information and Demographics
    • Operation Round Up
    • Scholarships
    • Youth Tour
    • AirMedCare Network
    • Second Nature Air Filters
    • TWN Communications Internet and Phone Services
  • Outage Information
    • BCEC Outage Information
    • Reporting a Power Outage
    • Storm Preparation
    • Load Shedding Information
    • Backup Generator Use
  • Safety
    • 811 Locate Request
    • Electrical Safety Checklist
    • Safety Quiz
  • Careers at Big Country Electric Cooperative
  • Annual Meeting 2022