Skip to main content


CALL US: 1.806.364.1166

Home

Account Login

Loading NISC SmartHub log in. Please wait...

'Loading NISC SmartHub log in. Please wait...'
Menu

Alerts

  • We are here for you 24/7, call our office 806-364-1166 if you have an outage to report!
  • Thinking about solar for your home? Click here first!
  • We'd like to hear from you. Click here for our survey.
  • New laws threaten to disrupt a fair agreement between co-ops and for-profit telecom companies. Click here to contact your reps to SAY NO
1 of 4 
  • About DSEC
    • About Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Deaf Smith County Economic Development
    • News & Events
    • 2022 Annual Meeting Recap
    • 2023 Annual Meeting Recap
    • 2024 Annual Meeting Recap
    • Employment with DSEC
    • Privacy Policy
    • Service Territory Map
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Member Services
    • Youth Tour
    • Scholarship Application
    • Together We Save
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Texas Co-op Power
    • Co-op Connections
    • Co-ops Vote
    • New Member Guidebook
    • Solar Energy
    • Sponsorships and Donations
  • Public Safety
    • Storm Center
    • Safety Quiz
    • Kids Safety Zone
    • Call 811
    • Meter Installation Specs
    • Three Phase Service
  • Service Contracts
  • Outage Center
    • Load Shed Information

Cooperative Principles

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.CowboyLeaningonFence_lr_rgb.jpg

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.

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.

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.

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, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

Concern for Community

While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

Back to Top
HEREFORD WEATHER

Co-Ops Vote

Contact Us

Hours: 8 am to 5 pm

Monday - Friday

Location: 1501 E. 1st Street

Hereford, TX 79045

Phone: 806-364-1166

Link to SMS Privacy Policy: https://www.deafsmith.coop/privacy-policy-0  Link to SMS Terms and Conditions: https://www.deafsmith.coop/terms-and-conditions

©2025 Deaf Smith Electric Cooperative, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  • About DSEC
    • About Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Deaf Smith County Economic Development
    • News & Events
    • 2022 Annual Meeting Recap
    • 2023 Annual Meeting Recap
    • 2024 Annual Meeting Recap
    • Employment with DSEC
    • Privacy Policy
    • Service Territory Map
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Member Services
    • Youth Tour
    • Scholarship Application
    • Together We Save
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Texas Co-op Power
    • Co-op Connections
    • Co-ops Vote
    • New Member Guidebook
    • Solar Energy
    • Sponsorships and Donations
  • Public Safety
    • Storm Center
    • Safety Quiz
    • Kids Safety Zone
    • Call 811
    • Meter Installation Specs
    • Three Phase Service
  • Service Contracts
  • Outage Center
    • Load Shed Information