Section 1. Requirements for Membership
Any person, firm, association, corporation or body politic or subdivision thereof will become a member of Bartholomew County Rural Electric Membership Corporation (hereinafter called the “Cooperative”) upon receipt of electric service from the Cooperative, provided that the member has first:
a. Made a written 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 and regulations adopted by the board; and
d. Paid the membership fee hereinafter specified. No membership in the Cooperative shall be transferable, except as provided in these bylaws.
e. Member to grant easements. Each member shall, upon request of the Cooperative, execute and deliver to the Cooperative grants of easements or right-of-way over, under and on such lands owned by the member, in accordance with such reasonable terms and conditions as the Cooperative shall require for the furnishing of electric service to the member for the construction, operation, maintenance or relocation of the Cooperative’s electric facilities.
Section 2. Joint membership
Any two or more persons or entities may apply for a joint membership and, subject to their compliance with the requirements set forth in Section 1 of this article, may be accepted for such membership. The term “joint member” as used in these bylaws shall be deemed to include any two or more persons or entities holding a joint membership and any provisions relating to the rights and liabilities of membership shall apply equally with respect to the holders of a joint membership. The holders of a joint membership shall be treated as follows:
a. The presence at a meeting of any representative of the joint member shall be regarded as the presence of the joint member and shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting;
b. The vote of any representative of the joint member shall constitute one vote;
c. A waiver of notice signed by any representative of the joint member shall constitute a joint waiver;
d. Notice to any representative of the joint member shall constitute notice to the joint member;
e. Expulsion of any participant of the joint member shall terminate the joint membership;
f. Withdrawal of any participant of the joint member shall terminate the joint membership;
g. Only 1 representative of the joint member may be elected or appointed as an officer, member of the nominating committee or board member, provided that the qualifications are met for such office as stated in Article IV,
Section 3. Conversion of Membership
a. Membership may be converted to a joint membership upon the written request of the holder thereof and the agreement by such holder and any other person or entity participating in the joint membership to comply with the Articles of Incorporation, bylaws and regulations adopted by the board.
b. The word “board” is used herein to refer to the board of directors.
c. Upon the death of any person or dissolution of any entity which is a party to the joint membership, such membership shall be held solely by the survivor(s). The estate of the deceased member or dissolved participant shall not be released from any debts due the cooperative.
Section 4. Membership Fees
The membership fee unless otherwise stated or specified in current board policies shall be $5, upon the payment of which a member shall be eligible for one or more service connections.
Section 5. Purchase of Electric Energy
Each member shall, as soon as electric energy shall be available, purchase from the Cooperative all electric energy purchased for use on the premises specified in his application for membership, and shall pay on a monthly basis rates which shall from time to time be fixed by the board. It is expressly understood that amounts paid for electric energy in excess of the cost of service are furnished by members as capital and each member shall be credited with the capital so furnished as provided in these bylaws. Each member shall pay to the Cooperative such a minimum amount regardless of the amount of electric energy consumed, as shall be fixed by the board from time to time. Each member shall also pay all amounts owed to the Cooperative as and when the same shall become due and payable.
Payment for electricity shall include for each member a subscription to the “Electric Consumer” or its successor published by Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc.
Section 6. Termination of Membership
a. Any member may withdraw from membership upon compliance with such uniform terms and conditions as the board may prescribe. The board may, by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of all the members of the board, expel any member who fails to comply with any of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, bylaws or rules and regulations adopted by the board, but only upon reasonable notice and hearing or if such member shall have been given written notice by the Cooperative that such failure shall have continued for at least 10 days after such notice was given. Any expelled member may be reinstated by vote of the board or by vote of the members at any annual or special meeting. The membership of a member who for a period of 6 months after service is available to the member, has not purchased electric energy from the Cooperative, or of a member who has ceased to purchase energy from the Cooperative, may be canceled by resolution of the board.
b. Upon the withdrawal, death, cessation of existence or expulsion of a member, the membership of such member thereupon terminates. Termination of membership in any manner shall not release a member or his or her estate from any debts due the Cooperative.
c. In case of withdrawal or termination of membership in any manner, the Cooperative shall repay to the member the amount of the membership fee paid by member, provided, however, that the Cooperative shall deduct from the amount of the membership fee the amount of any debts or obligations owed by the member to the Cooperative.