Article I: Membership

Section 1. Requirements for Membership

Any person, firm, association, corporation or body politic or subdivision thereof may become a member in SEMO Electric Cooperative (hereinafter called the "Cooperative") by or subdivision thereof may:

  1. File a written application for membership therein;
  2. Agree to purchase from the Cooperative electric energy as hereinafter specified;
  3. Agree to comply with and be bound by the articles of incorporation and any Bylaws of Cooperative and any rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors; and
  4. Provided however, that no person, firm, association, corporation, business trust, partnership, federal agency, state or political subdivision or agency thereof, or any body politic shall become a member unless and until he or it has been accepted for membership by the Board of Directors or the members.

No member may hold more than one membership in the Cooperative, and no membership in the Cooperative shall be transferable, except as provided in these Bylaws.

Section 2. Joint Membership

A married couple 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 "Member" as used in these Bylaws shall be deemed to include a married couple holding a joint membership and any provisions relating to the rights and liabilities of the membership shall apply equally with respect to the holders of a joint membership. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing the effect of the hereinafter specified actions by or in respect of the holders of a joint membership shall be as follows:

  1. The membership of a married couple shall be considered a joint membership unless otherwise specified upon application for membership, even though application for membership is signed by only one spouse;
  2. The vote of either separately or both jointly shall constitute one joint vote;
  3. A waiver of notice signed by either or both shall constitute a joint waiver;
  4. Notice to either shall constitute notice to both;
  5. Expulsion of either shall terminate the joint membership;
  6. Withdrawal of either shall terminate the joint membership;
  7. Either but not both may be elected or appointed as an officer or director, provided that both meet the qualifications for such office.

Section 3. Conversion of Membership

  1. A membership may be converted to a joint membership upon the written request of the holder thereof and the agreement by such holder and his or her spouse to comply with the articles of incorporation, bylaws and rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors.
  2. Upon the death of either spouse who is a party to the joint membership, such membership shall be held solely by the survivor. However, the estate of the deceased shall not be released from any debts due the Cooperative.

Section 5. Purchase of Electric Energy

Each member shall, as soon as electric energy shall be available, purchase from the Cooperative all electric energy used on the premises specified in his application for membership, and shall pay therefore at rates which shall from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may limit the amount of electric energy which the cooperative shall be required to furnish to any one member. Each member shall pay to the Cooperative such minimum amount per month regardless of the amount of electric energy consumed as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors 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.

Section 6. Termination of Membership

  1. Any member may withdraw from membership upon compliance with such uniform terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may prescribe. The Board of Directors of the Cooperative may, by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of all the directors, expel any member who fails to comply with any of the provision of the articles of incorporation, Bylaws or rules or regulations adopted by the Board of Directors, but only if such member shall have been liable to expulsion and such failure shall be continued for at least ten days after such notice was given. The membership of a member who for a period of six (6) months after service is available to him has not purchased electric energy from the Cooperative, or of a member who has ceased to purchase energy from the Cooperative, 4 shall be canceled by resolution of the Board of Directors.
  2. Upon the withdrawal, death, cessation of existence, expulsion or removal of a member from the premises described in the application for membership, the membership of such member shall thereupon terminate. Termination of membership in any manner shall not release a member or his estate from any debts due the Cooperative.
  3. In case of withdrawal or termination of membership in any manner, the Cooperative will repay to the member the amount of the membership fee paid by him, provided, however, that the Cooperative shall deduct from the amount of the membership fee the amount of any debts or obligations owing from the member to the Cooperative.