hello, fellow munchkins! welcome to oz! dorothy and her funny looking dog told us that october is cooperative month. Co-ops welcome everyone to join! Even witches and fl ying monkeys. (Open membership) Members call the shots, not some powerful wizard! Everyone has a vote in a running the cooperative. (Democratic control) If you participate, you benefi t. Participation leads to services that help all the members. Surpluses are returned to members. (Participation) The members are in control. Members own the cooperative and elect their co-op's leaders. (Independence) Co-ops teach so people can do their jobs better - and know how co-ops benefi t them. (Education) Co-ops help each other. (Cooperation) there is no place like your local electric cooperative! i'm just over the rainbow with happiness. her little dog is, too! Giving to the community is the co-op way! Co-ops help their neighbors by giving scholarships, helping needy families and sponsoring community events. (Community) there are many kinds of co-ops: electric, housing, agriculture, lending and more. every co-op uses these seven principles: