SUMMER 2014
5
internet, and a basic TV package. Royce
Aslakson, CEO/General Manager at RTC,
says, “The New Town office got fiber in May
2013, which gave them the capability of
more bandwidth and better quality services
overall. We’ve also been able to tie their
multiple locations together within our service
area with local area connections (LANs),
allowing them to always be connected back
to their office in New Town.”
The phone system also ties together the three
locations and enables robust communication
with customers. The company uses internet
service for a variety of functions, including a
kiosk in the New Town location that allows
customers to pay their bill in a self-service
format. The TV package helps keep custo-
mers and employees informed and entertained
in the lobby and break room.
Haugen says, “MWEC went looking for a
technology partner to meet our needs for
distribution and automation. RTC had the
connections, data circuits, and digital phone
system to do everything we asked and more.
Their cooperative is a good strategic partner
for us and we know their people personally.
Plus, RTC provides 24-hour service and
goes above and beyond.”
The feeling is mutual. Aslakson comments,
“We appreciate the services MWEC provides
to us and we have a great working relation-
ship with them.”
Looking ahead, Haugen notes that the
cooperative is trying to determine what
the business landscape will look like once
oil exploration turns to production. He
says, “We examine projections and use
comparative analyses for other co-ops our
size. We base decisions about the future on
where we think we’ll be.”
THE 7 COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES
As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, Mountrail-Williams
Electric Cooperative operates according to the following principles:
1. Voluntary and open membership
- Cooperatives are open
to all persons able to use the services and willing to accept the
responsibilities of membership.
2. Democratic member control
- Cooperatives are controlled
by their members who actively participate in setting policies
and making decisions.
3. Members’ economic participation
- Members contribute
equally to the capital of their cooperative. At least part of
that capital is the common property of the cooperative.
4. Autonomy and independence
- Cooperatives are autono-
mous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.
5. Education, training, and information
- Cooperatives provide
relevant education and training for their members, elected
representatives, managers, and employees.
6. Cooperation among cooperatives
- Cooperatives work
together through local, national, regional, and international
structures.
7. Concern for community
- While focusing on member needs,
cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their
communities.
Williston Office
Audrey Staples, New Town Office Manager
