Membership

Becoming a member

Redwood Electric Cooperative is owned by those we serve.  You must also pay a $15.00 processing fee which is not refundable.  A $250.00 deposit will be required for all new members.  This deposit will be refundable after one (1) year with interest if the credit rating is satisfactory and provided all bills are current.  An unsatisfactory credit rating is defined as being contacted by phone, in person, or by letter for two months out of the preceding twelve months, or if the service is disconnected for non-payment of the electric bill.

Members are the cooperative

As a member you are part owner of Redwood Electric Cooperative.  The area served by Redwood Electric Cooperative has seven directors elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting.  Directors serve a three year term.  The Board of Directors meet monthly to conduct the business of the Cooperative.  They hire the General Manager who hires the Cooperative employees and manages the daily affairs of the Cooperative.  Redwood Electric is a cooperative business; therefore, we credit any money the members pay over and above actual operating expense to each member’s Capital Credit account.  Your share of the Capital Credits for the year depends on the amount you have paid into the Cooperative that year.  Redwood Electric retains your Capital Credits and uses that money as operating capital.  Each year you will receive a notice showing the amount of your Capital Credits for the past year.

Your Role as a Member

As a member you have certain responsibilities that are important to Redwood Electric Cooperative’s success.

1. It is important to pay your electric bill by the 6th of each month. This avoids a late payment charge and allows Redwood Electric to run smoothly and meet its financial obligations.

2. Please call Redwood Electric (507-692-2214 or 888-251-5100) to report any problems along Redwood Electric's lines that need attention; damaged poles, broken insulators, and trees growing into lines are a concern to us.

3. If you plan to dig, call Gopher State One-Call (1-800-252-1166) or you can go online to www.GSOCSUBMIT.org to have underground utility lines in your area located.  This is a toll free call and lines will be located free of charge to you.  After notification, all utilities have 48 hours to locate the underground utility lines in the area you requested.  Redwood Electric does NOT do locates. 

4. Maintaining distance between trees and power lines is a continuing program.  Please support our efforts to provide you with reliable service by granting permission to clear any right-of-way located on your property.

5. If you move, call Redwood Electric two weeks before the date of your move or let us know the final date for which you are responsible.  Please give us your forwarding address so your final bill and future Capital Credits can be mailed to your new address.  We also require a "final meter reading" on the last day of service for any location that is required to submit monthly meter readings. 

6. Read our monthly newsletter, Power Line.  It will keep you well informed about Redwood Electric.  It contains articles on electrical safety, load management, appliances, energy related topics, and many articles about your Cooperative.

7. Like us on Facebook!  We often will put information on Facebook in regards to power outages and updates to help inform our members.

8. If you pay a monthly rental to Redwood Electric for your security light, report any maintenance problems promptly.  That will help us give you the best possible service.

9. Report load management equipment problems as soon as possible.  Some programs include free maintenance as part of our commitment to you.  If the equipment is not functioning properly, please let us know about it.

10. Each spring an Annual Meeting of the membership is held to inform members of the financial and operating conditions of the Cooperative.  It is at the Annual Meeting that you elect directors.

The Annual Meeting is very important to the continued success of Redwood Electric.  By attending, you will have better knowledge of your Cooperative and exercise your right to take an active part in the operation of your Cooperative.  The Annual Meeting normally includes a meal and door prizes.