Why people over profits defines us

Each October we celebrate National Co-op Month. This year it feels even more meaningful as it coincides with the International Year of Cooperatives. Both are reminders to honor the same truth: Cooperatives put people over profits.

That may sound simple, but it makes all the difference in the way we serve you. At its core, a cooperative is not just about keeping the lights on. It is about looking out for one another and making choices that strengthen our communities.

Take our statewide “Wired up for Safety” program. This is an outreach effort for co-ops across the state to collectively educate the public on electric safety. Co-ops may visit schools or host community events to teach complex safety topics in ways that children and families can understand. Co-ops invite first responders to come and learn how electrical safety impacts the life-saving work they provide. That kind of care cannot be measured on a balance sheet. It shows how deeply we value protecting those we serve.

The Cooperative Family Fund is another example of people coming first. This fund provides financial assistance to the families of co-op employees who pass away unexpectedly. It is supported by donations from cooperative employees across the country who give a little each month. In times of hardship the fund reminds families they are not alone and that the cooperative community stands beside them.

Similarly, the Operation Round Up program allows co-op members to round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar, with the extra change going into a community fund. Those funds are then distributed locally to help with critical needs. There are many examples, from schools to volunteer fire departments, that show how small change has created a big impact.

Stories like these remind us that people over profits is not just a slogan. It is a promise lived out every day by the members, employees and leaders of Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives. As we mark the International Year of Cooperatives, I am proud for our state to be part of a global movement that proves progress is possible when we put people first. Here at home, it means more than delivering electricity. It means delivering hope, connection and strength.

Thank you for being at the heart of this work. Together we are building communities where people always come before profit.

By Nicki Fuller

General Manager | Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives