North Carolina District 1 Congressman G.K. Butterfield Jr. in
Washington (center) meets with directors and staff of electric
cooperatives in his district. An electric cooperative is a
unique business model among energy providers. A cooperative
provides energy to its members at the lowest possible cost, and
the members have a direct voice in the operation of the
cooperative by electing its board of directors. Your cooperative
provides an essential service — electricity — but it also plays
a vital role in your community by supporting economic
development, promoting education initiatives, and boosting other
community causes. The cooperative has a positive impact on your
quality of life. Sometimes issues arise in Raleigh or
Washington, D.C., that can affect your cooperative and you. In
those instances, co-ops may ask members for to help communicate
a clear, respectful message to elected officials. "Grassroots
advocacy" is a term often used but is sometimes hard to explain.
It means people speaking up for themselv