Clarke-Washington EMC Celebrating the
Manager’s Comments
Co-op Difference in 2012
OFFICE LOCATIONS
development; more than 29,000 Happy New Year to you and American cooperative businesses your family as we move into contribute 2 million jobs, $652 another year: 2012. As it turns billion of revenue, and $3 trillion out, there’s more to celebrate than the ringing in of a new year. of assets to the U.S. economy each year. In October 2011, The United You might wonder what Nations General Assembly separates electric cooperatives officially declared 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives from other utilities. Being member-owned means we don’t (IYC), which “celebrates a have to pay big dividends to different way of doing business, stockholders. Money in excess one focused on human need not of expenses and reserves is paid human greed.” back to members as patronage The aim of the IYC (mandated capital credit checks each year by UN resolution 65/184) is (please see page 5 for more to increase awareness about details about capital credit cooperatives, promote their checks). formation and growth around The cooperative difference also the globe, and encourage means that its members enjoy governments to establish laws competitive rates, low or no fees, and regulations that will help convenience and great service. cooperatives thrive. The IYC Cooperative principles such as campaign’s slogan: “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World.” open, voluntary membership, democratic control, members’ “Cooperatives are a reminder economic participation, a focus to the international community on education and concern for that it is possible to pursue both community needs allow CWEMC economic viability and social responsibility,” said UN Secretary, and other cooperative businesses to focus on our members, not our General Ban Ki-moon. profits. Electric cooperatives like During the new year, it is Clarke-Washington EMC are our goal at CWEMC to raise some of the better-known co-op awareness of the role of businesses, but by no means are cooperatives. For additional the only type. Besides electric utilities, Students and teachers are preparing toinformation celebrate the about end of cooperatives another schoolin the United States,Art please turn to cooperatives spread across year. The Gulf are Coast is gearing up for ‘peak’ tourist season. and musical page 35. afestivals spectrum of sectors, such as are in full swing. And your cooperative is turning another year older. to featured thank you your agriculture, housing, Indeed, there fisheries, are celebrations all around andI want they are rightfor here in support and cooperation over the insurance, banking, credit the pages of Alabama Living magazine. years. I hope you enjoy reading services, travel,this andmonth manyyou more. For example, ’ll find information on the Washington Counmore about the cooperative In rural America, farmer, ty Department of Human Resources located in Chatom, Alabama, as they are difference in 2012. consumer, and worker-owned celebrating their 75th Anniversary this year. Thank you! cooperatives a vital role in If you have play a special story concerning Clarke-Washington EMC or a 75th continued economic andyear, we encourage you to send it to us. celebration of your owngrowth during this We’d certainly want to include your story in our magazine.
Jackson Office 1307 College Avenue P.O. Box 398 Jackson, AL 36545 251-246-9081
Chatom Office P.O. Box 143 Chatom, AL 36518 251-847-2302
Toll Free Number 1-800-323-9081
Office Hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday (Drive-thru Hours) Pay your bill online at
www.cwemc.com Payment Methods Payments can be made at our Chatom and Jackson offices with cash, checks, debit or credit cards Our Customer Service Reprepresentatives can accept payments over the phone using a credit card or debit card Stan Wilson Manager of ClarkeWashington Electric Membership Corporation
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|January 2012| Alabama Living