The Energy
Cooperative
Membership Policy
CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
There are 3
classes of membership, as defined by The Energy Cooperative’s (ECAP's)
by-laws:
Class A: Organizations ‑ Any cooperative organization, credit union,
unincorporated association, community association or non‑profit organization
located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Class B: Households ‑ Any residential household or residential
consumer of energy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Class C: Businesses ‑ Any businesses or for-profit enterprises not in
Class A, located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Designated Representative
Every member,
regardless of class, must designate an individual to represent the member in
connection with all essential business, rights, duties, and responsibilities
with regard to their ECAP membership. Additional contacts may be listed for
service-related needs, but only the Designated Representative is authorized
to vote at membership meetings or otherwise to conduct business on behalf of
the member. Any changes to the Designated Representative must be submitted
to ECAP in writing by the former Designated Representative or someone
authorized to conduct business on their behalf.
Affiliated Households
Class B
members who are affiliated with a Class A or Class C member whose names are
submitted to the Secretary, or designee of the Cooperative shall be
considered affiliated households ("Affiliated Households") by that member
for purposes of incentives and patronage rebates.
ACTIVE, INACTIVE, AND SUPPORTING
MEMBERS
Members of
The Energy Cooperative are defined by their use of services through ECAP
and their annual payment of dues or receipt of a dues waiver.
Subsequently, members are categorized as “active,” “inactive,” or
“supporting.”
Active Members
Inactive Members
Supporting Members
-
Do not use services/products (due to location, change in service
availability, etc)
-
Current with annual dues payment
MEMBER BENEFITS
Active Members
-
Access to the use of services and all applicable discounts, etc.
-
Voting (1 vote per member)
-
Patronage rebates
-
Additional member benefits
Inactive Members
-
Access to the use of services and all applicable discounts, etc.
-
Not eligible to vote or receive patronage rebates
-
Limited additional member benefits (if any)
Supporting Members
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
-
The membership renewal date is based on anniversary of enrollment.
-
During enrollment or at any subsequent renewal, members can choose to have
their membership auto-renew annually on their anniversary date. A minimum
of one auto-renewal reminder will be sent to members no less than one
month prior the anniversary date.
-
Dues paying members can choose to auto-pay their membership fee (if
available).
-
Members currently receiving a dues waiver or who choose not to
provide/authorize automatic renewal payments will receive renewal
reminders asking them to pay or request a waiver again for the coming
year.
-
Members who renew any time before their renewal is due, or within one month
after, will maintain their anniversary date as their renewal date.
-
Members who fail to renew their membership by one month past their
anniversary date will become inactive members.
-
Inactive
members can renew at any time and will receive a new “enrollment” or
anniversary date.
-
Inactive members are not eligible for any past benefits not received
during their inactive membership period.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES
Active Members
$30 - Class A: Organizations
$15 - Class B: Households
$30 - Class C: Businesses
Supporting Members
$30 - Organizations/Businesses
$15 - Households/Individuals
WAIVER OF DUES
All classes
of membership may request a dues waiver good for a year and must be
requested annually (waivers do not auto-renew). Dues waivers will be
granted based on income/operating budget. The Board of Directors may create
policies requiring proof of income/operating budget requirements and/or
limitations.
Other
needs-based and reciprocal dues waivers may be offered to all classes of
membership at the discretion of the staff and will be reviewed on an annual
basis.
VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP TERMINATION
A member may
choose to terminate their membership at any time by notifying ECAP in
writing. Cancellation of services through The Co-op does not automatically
terminate membership and termination of membership shall not automatically
discontinue services through The Co-op or nullify any contracts entered into
by the member with ECAP or ECAP’s suppliers. Members who voluntarily
terminate their membership will not receive any refund of member dues.
Transfer of Membership
Membership is
not transferable.
Expulsion
ECAP may expel any member for failure to comply with ECAP’s by-laws or other
rules and regulations or for other conduct detrimental to The Co-op. |
