October is CO-OP MONTH What is a cooperative? A cooperative, or co-op, is a local group that is owned and controlled by its members. Your rural electric provider is a cooperative. Seven Cooperative Principles 1Open Membership Co-ops welcome everyone to join. 2Member Controlled 3Participation 4Independence 5Education All members have a vote in running the co-op. If you participate, it leads to services that help all the members. Extra money is returned to members. The members are in control. They own the cooperative and elect their co-op's leaders. Co-ops teach so people can do their jobs better and know how co-ops benefi t them. 6Cooperation 7Community Co-ops help each other. Co-ops give to their community by awarding scholarships, helping families in need and sponsoring community events. dpineneceden anuotecid Unscramble these co-op words from Buddy and Rudyʻs list above. tiacpriptoian ____________ onmyutcim _________ bmermse _______ _________ 50 RURAL MISSOURI | OCTOBER 2024 ______ _____________ ispeclrpni __________ notioceroap ___________ ontgiv Co-op Word List principles members participation independence education cooperation community voting