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FOCUS ON
MEMBER-OWNERS
A cooperative is a business formed by a community to solve a common need
and is owned by those it serves. Reservation Telephone Cooperative (RTC)
was formed in 1951 to provide low-cost, quality telephone service to our
member-owners and has since expanded our range of communications services.
As a cooperative, RTC is guided by these principles:
Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are formed by people looking for solutions to shared problems. They are open to all who use
or provide their services and are willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.
Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are controlled by those who use or provide the co-op's goods and services. Each member gets
one vote to help make the organization's policies and decisions.
Member Economic Participation
Members equally "buy in" and democratically control the cooperative's capital based on the amount of
business they conduct rather than the dollars they invest.
Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are independent, self-help organizations. If a co-op enters into an outside agreement or raises
external capital, it still retains autonomy and democratic control.
Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives train their members, directors, and employees so they can best contribute to the co-op's
development. They also educate the general public about cooperatives.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives work together through strong local, national, regional, and international structures to most
effectively serve their members.
Concern for Community
Cooperatives focus on local development through policies and programs directed by their members.
As RTC moves forward in the years ahead, our focus will remain on you—the member-
owners of our cooperative. We work for you, with you, and because of you.
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