A History of Looking Out for the Future of Our OTEC Communities The Seven Cooperative Principles Your Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) oper­ ates according to the same set of core principles and values, adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICÀ). All cooperatives can trace the roots of these principles to the first modèrn cooperative founded in Rochdale, England in 1844. OTEC was formed in 1987 based on the coop­ erative business model, with the foundation of these seven cooperative principles: 1. Voluntary and Open Membership 2. Democratic Member Control 3. Members* Economic Participation 4. Autonomy and Independence 5. Education, Training and Information 6. Cooperation among Cooperatives 7. Concern for Community Concérn for Community is the reason why OTEC'was founded. Back in 1987, this part of northeastern Oregon was served by a for-profit, investor-owned utility, CP National Corporation. This multi-state conglomerate was looking to unload its dilapidated system and to get out of the not-so-lucrative rural electric utility business. When several attempted purchases failed, your friends and neighbors came together (under the leader­ ship of Dick Haynes and Peggi and Glenn Timm) to form OTEC and operate the utility locally using the cooperative business model as their guide. It was their concern for our community - to bring safe, reliable and affordable electric power to our region - that defined our purpose. While centering on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of commu­ nities through policies and programs accepted by the members. ft is in that spirit that we continue today offering rebates to commercial businesses to change their existing lighting to more energy efficient lighting, $100 credits to electric bills when members install a qualifying electric water heater, and offering a credit on electric accounts for appliances that meet ENERGY STAR® Compliance. In addition to providing electric service, OTEC strives to serve our members and the communities that make us strong by contributing limited cash and "work-in-kind" donations to community groups in our service area. Donations are provided for the purpose of public benefit, community improvement, charitable, scientific or educational purposes. OTEC regularly supports civic club fundraisers, local 4-H and FFA events, youth sports programs, community project improvements and non-profit organizations. OTEC also gives back to your community through programs such as the Rural Electric Washington D.C. Yduth Tour and the Peggi Timm Civic Leadership Award. In 2015, OTEC awarded twenty-eight $5,000 scholarships to deserving students throughout our service territory. Scholarships are available for first time college students, returning students and those students who would like to pursue a career in the electrical energy industry by enrolling in line school. Scholarships are funded through the interest on the unclaimed capital credits and do not impact member’s rates. For T cooperatives, these are easy decisions : to make The 3rd Annual Peggi Timm Civic because unlike Leadership Award was presented to DI Lyn Larsen-Hill of La Grande. investor-owned busi- DI Lyn selected the Union County nesses where the own­ Friday Backpack Program a non­ 501 (c)3 to receive the ers and employees can profit $25,000 donation, made available be far removed from through earnings on unclaimed the users of the service, capital credits. in a cooperative the owners and users are the same people: You! This is why we call you a member and encour­ agé you to actively engage with us. The health and long-term sustainability of our community depends on all of us demonstrating our mutual concern for our community. While it has been twenty-seven years since we began offering electricity, our concern for our community has never wavered. We will continue to work for the sustainable development of our community and welcome your input as we work to meet your needs for the next twenty-seven years and beyond. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2015 OTEC Scholarship Winners Seven Cooperative Principles VOLUNTARY ANO , ■ OPEN MEMBERSHIP AUTONOMY AND INDEPENDENCE Cooperatives are voluntary organizations opento pl! prisons able to use their services and willing to accept tile responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, raclai, pobtfcal or religious rHscrhnmat'«m. Cooperatives ile putonrsreous, sefi-heip organtations conttoHed^ B»h memhets.ff they eater nits agreements with other piganiiattens,. iiwSudtng gevemnwnis, oy raise eapitHÈnoæéxteroafsmsrees, theydeasio» irr^stbat democratic -■■■ j ’ V | ,3 « MEMBERXONTROL ^perativesta demotfMK ^V,member%b