I hope everyone enjoyed the company of family and friends over the holidays, and have your resolutions in place for the start of a great new year. 

The United Nations has declared that 2012 be the Year of the Cooperative and has adopted the theme: “Cooperative enterprises build a better world.”  In today’s uncertain economic times, we need a strong and sustainable community for our children and grandchildren to succeed.  History has told us that when we work together we can build a better world.  This is where cooperatives come into play.

Cooperatives come in many forms and provide products and services in the areas of agriculture, banking, housing, healthcare, food, purchasing, finance, insurance, electricity, education, childcare, telecommunications and technology.  Co-ops fill a community need, giving a loud voice to individuals that profit-driven businesses often overlook.  Co-ops share a common set of principles and values, including member participation, concern for community and most importantly, democracy. 

Through the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA) International Programs, co-op linemen are volunteering their services overseas to deliver electricity to 2 billion people living without power.  During the last 50 years, these efforts have provided light and hope to 100 million people in more than 40 countries. 

Northern Lights is one of more than 900 rural electric cooperatives serving electricity to 75 percent of the nation’s land mass and is the oldest electric cooperative west of the Mississippi River.   Northern Lights offers a number of programs designed to benefit its members and the community, including the Northern Lights Community Trust, Operation Round-up and our local scholarship fund. 

As we move into 2012, Northern Lights will continue to put its members first and help to build a better world.  As we come together to celebrate the International Year of the Cooperative, we encourage you to embrace the cooperative model and enjoy the benefits of being a cooperative member. 

Happy New Year!