About Us/News

Red River Valley Cooperative Power Association has been delivering reliable electric energy to its member-owners since 1939. Your cooperative continues to do so today, using technology and innovative services to meet the needs of agricultural, commercial and residential members alike.

In the beginning, that meant poles and lines to bring in electricity for lights. Today, those same lines bring you a vast array of electrical services. As your needs and wants continue to change, Red River will do its best to continue to meet your requirements. 

Owned by those we serve

Red River Valley Cooperative Power Association is organized as a Cooperative and is owned by its members. The membership elects a Board of Directors to represent them in the operation of the Cooperative. The Board hires a Chief Executive Officer to carry out the daily operations of the Cooperative.

The Board is comprised of six member-directors, two from each of the three director districts. Directors are elected to three-year terms according to the provisions in the bylaws.

Regularly scheduled Board meetings are held in Halstad at the Cooperative office starting at 8:30 a.m. on the next to last Monday of each month.

Guiding Principles

All cooperative businesses adhere to seven guiding principles:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership — Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control — Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
3. Members’ Economic Participation — Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence — Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
5. Education, Training, and Information — Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives — Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7.  Concern for Community — While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.