Section 1 - Requirements for Membership
Any person, firm, association, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, business trust, body politic or subdivision thereof will become a member of the Corporation (hereinafter called the “Cooperative”) upon receipt of electric service from the Cooperative, provided he, she, or it has first:
(a) Made application for membership therein;
(b) Agreed to purchase from the Cooperative electric energy as hereinafter specified;
(c) Agreed to comply with and be bound by the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws of the Cooperative and any Rules, Regulations or policies adopted by the Board of Directors.
Section 2 - Joint Memberships
Unless specified as an individual membership by the person applying for membership, all membership applications shall be construed, if signed by the husband, as a Joint membership application with the wife, and if signed by the wife, shall be construed to be a joint membership application with the husband. Upon acceptance of such application by the Cooperative, either the husband or wife, but not both, shall be entitled to all privileges of such membership. A married person may apply for an individual membership only for a single meter or, if more than one meter is involved, the married person’s spouse may apply for an individual membership for any additional meter, but there may not be two memberships for one meter.
Upon the death of either spouse who is a party to such joint membership, the membership shall be held solely by the survivor.
Where there is a joint membership, upon the dissolution of the marriage by divorce, the membership shall be held by the party continuing to use the electric service at the applicable meter.
When a joint membership exists, notice given to either spouse pursuant to these bylaws shall constitute notice to both spouses; however, if each spouse is a member by virtue of having an individual membership, each spouse shall receive all notices required by these bylaws.
Nothing in this section is meant to remove or reduce any individual’s rights under the Red Flag Privacy Regulations of the United States Government.
Section 3 - Transfer of Membership
A membership in the Cooperative cannot be transferred by a member to any other person, firm, association, corporation, body politic or subdivision thereof, except that an individual membership shall be transferred to a joint membership if the individual marries after applying for membership.
Section 4 - Sale or Purchase of Electric Energy
No member shall sell electric energy from any service connection except to the Cooperative or its power provider. A member shall not purchase electric energy that is to be used on the premises for which such member has made application for membership from any source other than the Cooperative.
Section 5 - Termination of Membership
Any membership in the Cooperative shall be terminated under any one or more of the following conditions:
(a) A member ceases to purchase electric energy from the Cooperative.
(b) A member withdraws from membership, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
(c) Termination of membership in any manner shall not release a member or the member’s estate from any debts due the Cooperative.
(d) Filing of a bankruptcy or receivership shall not terminate membership.