WCEC Powers Our Communities With Purpose

October is National Co-op Month, the time of year when cooperatives across the country celebrate the many ways co-ops are unique and, more importantly, the members they serve. This year, we’re focusing on our principles.

The timeless values behind co-ops of all stripes have been in place since the late 1840s. First formulated in England by the Rochdale Weavers’ Cooperative, the Seven Cooperative Principles have endured to this day in organizations that follow the cooperative business model.

WCEC has adhered to these principles since our formation in 1938. These values and the spirit of the cooperative movement form the framework we use to navigate challenges and opportunities while remaining true to our purpose.

Voluntary and Open Membership

WCEC was created out of necessity—to meet a need that would have been otherwise unmet in our community. A group of neighbors banded together and organized our electric co-op. They worked together for the benefit of the whole community, and the new electric lines helped power economic opportunity in that community.

Key parts of that heritage remain especially in our mission to serve the greater good. In this, we include everyone to improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for our members.

Democratic Member Control

Our co-op is well-suited to meet the needs of our members because we are locally governed. Each member gets a vote in how the co-op is run. Our board members live locally on WCEC lines and are elected by neighbors just like you. As such, they realize that every dollar WCEC must charge for electricity is one less dollar in their pockets—and yours.

Members’ Economic Participation

As a utility, our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy to our members. Since we are beholden to our members and not stockholders, WCEC strives to generate only enough revenue to cover our expenses and keep our bankers satisfied. Our budgets are based on an average year plus projected additional loads.

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of WCEC. At least part of that capital is used for co-op programs, initiatives, and capital investments. What remains is returned to our members as a patronage refund—more details available here.

Autonomy and Independence

Autonomy and Independence means that the co-op operates autonomously, solely directed and guided by its members, reflecting the values and needs of our local community This means the co-op is not influenced by leaders or shareholders several states away. Instead, we are led by the local members we serve.

Education and Training

Enhancing the knowledge of not only our employees and board members, but that of our members and the public, enables everyone to contribute to the development of the co-op.

By investing in continuous learning for employees and board members, WCEC is making a commitment not just to individual professional and personal growth, but to the future of the co-op and the high-quality service our members expect and deserve. It’s a win-win situation.

WCEC also strives to inform our members and the public about the mission and operations of the co-op, the latest in energy efficiency and conservation, and, most importantly, electrical safety. As a member, Texas Co-op Power is the best way to receive information from WCEC. Each month features articles ranging from cooperative programs to the future of the power grid to DIY energy-saving tips. Other avenues to get up-to-date information include WCEC’s website and social media.

At MyWCEC.coop, members and the public can learn how to prepare for extended outages, how electricity works, why it can be dangerous, and how to stay safe around electrical equipment. There is also a Kids Corner with activities and worksheets to help teach children about electrical safety. On a more personal level, WCEC offers electrical demonstrations and presentations on many of these topics to schools, businesses, and community groups.

Perhaps the most exciting of WCEC’s educational offerings is the Government-in-Action Youth Tour, a weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital held each year in June. WCEC has sponsored students to attend the educational yet fun-filled trip for many years. Last year’s delegates, Duncan Harris and Ali Ishee, reported that the experience truly is a “trip of a lifetime.”

Applications for the 2026 Youth Tour are now available at MyWCEC.coop/YouthTour.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Cooperation among cooperatives is the sixth principle and fosters the way that co-ops work together to address bigger challenges. While this principle applies to all types of cooperatives, it is especially relevant in the energy industry. In our case, we put this principle in action after major storms and disasters that cause widespread power outages. When this happens, we call on nearby co-ops to come to our aid and assist with restoration efforts—and we of course extend the same help to them when they need us.

Perhaps the most important way we fulfill this principle is in the way we get our power. While WCEC builds and maintains the lines and equipment that deliver your power to you, we don’t generate electricity. That’s the job of our generation and transmission cooperative, South Texas Electric Cooperatives.

STEC generates its own electricity and, when needed, purchases power from the energy market. Just as you are a member of WCEC, WCEC is a member of STEC. By joining forces with other cooperatives through STEC, we reduce our individual costs, and STEC’s diverse energy mix combined with long-term power purchase agreements help maintain reliability and price stability for everyone.

In addition, as part of a state- and nationwide electric co-op network, we can connect and collaborate with other electric co-ops to tackle industry-related challenges, such as cybersecurity and an ever-changing energy landscape.

Concern for Community

The final principle, Concern for Community, is essential to who we are as cooperatives. We serve our community not only by providing vital services but also by helping to power our local economy. Whether through economic development, volunteerism, or donations to local causes, we invest in this community because it’s our home too. WCEC employees are encouraged to serve in community organizations, and many do, including Rotary, Lions, Lady Lions, and many others. We know giving back to our communities is a priority for you because we see how many of you choose to participate in Operation Round Up. By rounding up their electric bills each month, WCEC members contribute more than $20,000 annually to local nonprofit organizations. Operation Round Up funds are allocated to the WCEC Charitable Fund, which is a separate entity from WCEC, and then distributed to 501(c)(3) organizations on our members’ behalf. Another way WCEC is able to give back is through the CoBank Sharing Success program. Sharing Success is a matching grant opportunity open to local nonprofit organizations. Aimed at supporting local communities and people, the grant is made possible by our board of directors, in partnership with CoBank—a national nonprofit cooperative bank owned by the rural American cooperatives it services.

Just this year, CoBank awarded $3,750 each to the Boys & Girls Club of El Campo, Pilgrim Rest ASAP, Wharton County SPOT, and the Wharton County Youth Fair Learning Center. WCEC matched the contributions, bringing the total for each organization to $7,500.

Living Up To Our Principles

This October, as we celebrate National Co-op Month and the power of membership, we hope you’ll recognize the many aspects that set electric cooperatives apart.

Our mission is safe, reliable power. Our purpose is people—the local communities we’re proud to serve.