Member Relations

Cooperative Tax Brief: Cooperatives May Offset Bad Debt With Capital Credit Balances

by David R. Cook Jr.
November 12, 2013February 15, 2022

Cooperatives May Offset Bad Debt With Capital Credit Balances

Like for-profit companies, cooperatives encounter bad debt of members and patrons. They can initiate collection efforts to pursue bad debts, but because their members are also their owners, debt collection can be a complicated endeavor. With regard to former members, a recent IRS private ruling discussed an alternative option for recovering outstanding balances.

To view the latest Cooperative Tax Brief, click here or continue reading below.

Member Voting and Multi-Meter Facilities

by David R. Cook Jr.
August 31, 2013

Who is entitled to vote as a cooperative member when a facility is composed of separately metered units? Does it matter whether residents of each unit are billed separately by the cooperative? Does the answer change when there are separate meters, but residents pay their pro rata portion to the facility’s owner, who remits payment to the cooperative? Read More »Member Voting and Multi-Meter Facilities

AHC Attorney Discusses Cooperative Governance and Transparency Issues

by Roland F. Hall
August 19, 2012February 15, 2022

AHC attorney Roland Hall was recently interviewed for an article on the trend toward more transparency and openness in cooperative governance. The article appeared in the July/August issue of the National Cooperative Business Association’s Cooperative Business Journal. Read More »AHC Attorney Discusses Cooperative Governance and Transparency Issues

Substantial Changes To Required Credit Notices to Consumers

by Roland F. Hall
November 11, 2011February 15, 2022

Some electric cooperatives consider consumers’ credit scores in reviewing their applications for electric service. Cooperatives that sponsor financing programs for their members may review members’ credit scores as well. The Federal Trade Commission and Federal Reserve Board recently made changes to the Risk-Based Pricing Rule (the “Rule”) that will now require cooperatives to disclose credit score information to consumers and members in certain situations.Read More »Substantial Changes To Required Credit Notices to Consumers