Our Story & Values New Hampshire Electric Cooperative puts YOU first. We are nonprofit, owned by our customer-members and governed by the democratic process. Our members are at the center of everything we do. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Plymouth, NH, NHEC began with a simple, yet ambitious goal: bring the benefits of electricity to rural New Hampshire. Our very first pole was set in Lempster as part of an initial distribution system crossing 111 miles of rural Sullivan County. We now connect more than 88,000 homes and businesses through 6,000 miles of energized lines, in 118 communities throughout New Hampshire. In 2020, NHEC founded NH Broadband to provide high-speed, fiber internet access to the thousands of NHEC members who lacked affordable, reliable options because of their location. By delivering this next essential service to our members, NHEC is renewing its original mission to improve the lives of the members we serve. We Serve Our Members We exist to empower our members, provide them with the highest quality service, and be their trusted partner. Our purpose, vision, mission and values embody what we strive for every day. Our Purpose To serve our members. Our Vision Our members will have the energy and broadband services they need, the information they want and a partner they can trust. Our Mission Our mission is to provide our members the ability to access affordable, reliable electric and broadband service options that support and simplify their lives. Our Values These are our core values. We will hold ourselves to them without compromise in everything we do and will encourage others to do so as well. Member-Focused—Our sole purpose is to serve our members. We consistently focus on how we can best meet their needs. People Matter—We will show respect and empathy for others, work safely at all times, and consider the impact of our actions on the individual directly affected as well as the community at large. Integrity—We are consistently and reliably honest and ethical in everything we do, keeping our commitments to each other, our members and others we deal with. The Cooperative Difference Membership in an electric cooperative is a powerful thing. It means you have an energy partner you can trust to look out for your community’s best interests, not its own bottom line. Cooperatives around the world operate according to the same core principles and values. Principle #1: Voluntary and Open Membership Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use its services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. Principle #2: Democratic Member Control Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members—those who buy the goods or use the services of the cooperative—who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Principle #3: Member’s Economic Participation Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested. Principle #4: Autonomy and Independence Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If the co-op enters into agreements with other organizations or raises capital from external sources, it is done so based on terms that ensure democratic control by the members and maintains the cooperative’s autonomy. Principle #5: Education, Training, and Information Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. Members also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives. Principle #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. Principle #7: Concern for Community While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.