Blog

2025 National Co-op Month

The month-long observance highlights how the cooperative business model helps build resilient, inclusive communities and supports global Sustainable Development Goals by promoting equality, equity, and solidarity.  
Key Aspects of Co-op Month 2025:
 
"Cooperatives Build a Better World". 

• Purpose:

To raise awareness about the contributions of Cooperatives to poverty reduction, employment, and social integration, and to promote the Cooperative model as a solution for global challenges. 

• Alignment:

This theme and the entire year of 2025 are designated as the International Year of Cooperatives, emphasizing cooperatives' role in achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. 

• Activities:

Cooperatives nationwide are encouraged to use the theme and logo in their communication and outreach efforts throughout October. 

• Broader Context:

Co-op Month is celebrated annually by Cooperatives and credit unions across the United States, with this year's focus particularly strong due to the International Year designation. 

Co-op Month Celebration: Understanding Member-Owned Cooperatives
Happy Co-op Month! Throughout October, we'll be learning more about member-owned Cooperatives. Cooperatives put people at the center of their operations.
 
What is a Cooperative?
What exactly is a member-owned Cooperative? Think of it as a group of people who come together, pool their resources, and jointly own and democratically control a business. It's like having a say in the decisions of your favorite neighborhood store – that's the essence of Cooperatives!
For us, Valley is a member owned Cooperative, which was established in 1962, where a group of farmers and ranchers came together to provide telephone services to our rural communities.
There are also other forms of Cooperatives:

• Retail Cooperatives - share buying power and marketing – Ace Hardware is an example.
• Producer Cooperatives – shared marketing – Willcox Wine Country uses this model. There are many other agricultural cooperatives that you may be familiar with including Ocean Spray Cranberries, Sunkist and Land-O-Lakes.

 
How is Valley’s Cooperative Set Up
Here at Valley TeleCom, we have 3 types of customers:

• ILEC (Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier)

• Customers who live in the original exchanges are Co-op members.
   
• Customers who live in exchange areas acquired in 1995 are Capital Patrons.
   

• CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier)

• Customers in our new expansion areas are valued customers.

 
The Power of Decision-Making in Cooperatives
As we journey through Co-op Month, we're uncovering more about what makes member-owned cooperatives tick. Today, let's talk about the power of decision-making in coops. Our Cooperative is comprised of two different categories: members & patrons.
In a Co-op, members have a say in how things are done. They have their say by electing board members to represent them. Together, the Board makes the important decisions about products, services, and even how the profits are used. Patrons receive the benefit of earning patronage (capitol credits) but do not have the right to vote, they rely on the original members to represent them in the vote.
Here at Valley, we have 9 board members, 3 board members from each of our Cooperative districts made up of our original exchange areas.
This democratic approach ensures that the Co-op is aligned with the needs and values of its members, making it a community-driven force for good. It's the embodiment of teamwork and collaboration!
 
The Cooperative Principles
As we delve further into Co-op Month, let's take a look at the guiding principles that shape member-owned cooperatives. These principles help co-ops stay true to their mission and values.
1. Voluntary and Open Membership: Anyone can join a cooperative, and the door is open to all without discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control: Members have an equal say in the co-op's decisions, by voting.
3. Economic Participation: Members contribute to and control the capital of the co-op.
4. Autonomy and Independence: Co-ops are self-governed and remain independent, even when they cooperate with others.
5. Education, Training, and Information: Co-ops provide education and training for their members and employees, promoting informed participation.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives: Co-ops work together for mutual benefit and to strengthen the Cooperative movement.
7. Concern for Community: Co-ops contribute to the well-being of their communities, not just their members.
 
How We Get Involved!
Now, you might be wondering how we get involved. Well, it's as simple as keeping our members in mind as we go about our daily work activities.
In addition, helping us show our Concern for Community, Co-op principle #7 shows our members that we are invested in the communities we serve.
We show our Concern for Community in several ways:

• Offering generous scholarships to the high schools Valley serves
• Sending area youth to Washington D.C on the Washington Youth Tour
• Sponsoring local events throughout our entire cooperative area.
• Donating to local non-profit organizations in the form of financial donations, raffle prizes, and golf participant bags for local tournaments
• Judging local school contests, serving on advisory boards for CTE Classes
• Serving on local community, regional and statewide boards

Leaning into Principle #7, Concern for Community, is one of the most important differences between Valley and our competition. We live and work in the communities we serve.