Bylaws & Articles of Incorporation

The bylaws are the rulebook for your cooperative. Along with the Articles of Incorporation, they explain who can be a member, how the Board of Directors is chosen, how elections and meetings are run, and how capital credits are handled.

As a member-owner, you have the right to know how BEK is governed. We encourage you to read these documents.

BEK Communications Cooperative Bylaws
As amended June 8, 2023

Amended Articles of Incorporation
Originally signed October 3, 1952; last amended June 10, 2021

Here's a quick summary of what the bylaws cover. The full documents are the official version.

Membership
Sets the requirements for membership, joint memberships, and how membership ends.
Become a Member

Member Meetings
The Annual Meeting is held each June at a time and place set by the Board. Each member has one vote.
Annual Meeting

Directors
Directors are elected by district to three-year terms. Only members living in a district vote for that district's director. The articles limit the board to nine directors.
Board of Directors

Nominations
Candidates are nominated by a Nominating Committee appointed by the Board, or by a petition signed by at least 15 members from the district.
Elections

Officers
The Board elects a President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer each year, right after the Annual Meeting.
Board of Directors

Capital Credits
BEK operates on a not-for-profit basis. Margins are credited to members as capital and retired when the Board determines the cooperative's finances allow.
Capital Credits

Amendments
The bylaws and articles may be changed only by a vote of the members at a meeting at which notice of the proposed change was given in advance.

Call 1.888.475.2361 or email capitalcredits@bektel.coop.