New Member Information

Dear Cooperative Member,

The Board, staff, and management of Marias River Electric Cooperative would like to welcome you as a member-owner. We are committed to serving our members effectively, efficiently, and in the most courtesy way possible. If you ever have a problem or question, please call us and we will do our best to help you.

Marias River Electric Cooperative is owned by the members it serves. More than just a typical electric utility with miles of power lines, transformers, and meters, it is, in fact, your business.

With that in mind, this member handbook has been prepared to briefly outline how your cooperative came into being; what you can expect from your board members, management, and staff; and what your responsibilities are as a member. We hope you take the time to read it and keep it handy for future reference.

Cooperatively yours,

Shane Clark, General Manager

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.

Democratic Member Control

Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.

Members’ Economic Participation

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.

Autonomy and Independence

Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.

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.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together.

Concern for Community

While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities.

DISTRICT #1: Merle Raph (Term expires 2024). District 1 is that area within the city limits of Shelby and south of the BNSF tracks (395 Members).

DISTRICT #1: Shannon McAllister (Term expires 2023). District 1 is that area within the city limits of Shelby and south of the BNSF tracks (715 members). Board appointed March 2021

DISTRICT #2: Joe Sisk (Term expires 2025). District 2 is the rural area in and around Galata (116 Members).

DISTRICT #3: Terry Peters (Term expires 2024). District 3 is the Ledger area and south of the Marias River (44 Members).

DISTRICT #4: Renae Manley (Term expires 2024). District 4 is that area within the city limits of Shelby and north of the BNSF tracks (715 Members). Shannon McAllister resigned March 2021.

DISTRICT #5: Adrian Hawks (Term expires 2025). District 5 is the rural area around Whitlash (119 Members).

DISTRICT #6: Mel Fretheim (Term expires 2023). District 6 is the rural area outside Shelby city limits (116 Members).

DISTRICT #7: Shannon Dunk (Term expires 2025). District 7 is the area in and around Sunburst (331Members).

DISTRICT #8: Dan Gliko (Term expires 2023). District 8 is the area of Kevin and Oilmont and the surrounding rural area (173 members).

Introduction

Marias River Electric Cooperative is a private, not-for-profit electric utility owned by the members it serves. It was established to provide its members with the most reliable electric service at the lowest possible cost. MREC’s service area covers 2,200 square miles in Toole, Liberty, and Pondera County, serving the communities of Shelby, Sunburst, Kevin, and Sweet Grass in North Central Montana.

A nine-member board of directors governs the cooperative. Directors are elected by and from the membership; therefore, the members ultimately control the cooperative. The board meets monthly to set policies and review the operations of MREC. Its directors are elected at the annual meeting held each year in April. Each director serves a three-year term. Nominations for election to the board of directors from each respective district are selected by a nine-member nominating committee. While each member owns the cooperative, no member shall be individually liable or responsible for any debts or liabilities of the cooperative.

In the early 1930s, prior to the establishment of electric cooperatives such as Marias River Electric, nearly 90 percent of our nation’s rural areas were without electricity. In 1936, Congress acted to remove rural areas from the dark ages by creating the Rural Utilities Service, formerly the Rural Electrification Administration. Initially, low-interest REA loans were made available to commercial power companies for the purpose of electrifying rural areas.

When investor-owned utilities failed to take advantage of REA loans, the agency turned to providing loans to locally owned electric cooperatives. On September 7, 1945, Marias River Electric Cooperative began supplying power to its members. Electric cooperatives have helped bring rural America out of the dark ages. However, such an important job is never completely done.

Who Governs Marias River Electric Cooperative?

Cooperative Principles

DIRECTOR DISTRICTS

Why Electric Cooperatives?

Why Marias River Electric Cooperative?

Electric Service New Account Requests

Membership