Section 1. Requirements for Membership
Any person, firm, association, corporation or body politic or subdivision thereof will become a member of Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc., (hereinafter called the “Cooperative”) upon receipt of electric service from the Cooperative, provided that he or it 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 of Trustees;
(d) Paid the membership fee hereinafter specified.
No member may hold more than one membership in the Cooperative, and no membership in the Cooperative shall be transferable.

Section 2. Joint Membership
A membership by either a husband or a wife shall constitute a joint membership and the term “member” as used in these bylaws shall be deemed to include a husband and wife and any provisions relating to the rights and liabilities of 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 to the holders of a joint membership shall be as follows:
(a) The presence at a meeting of either or both shall be regarded as the presence of one member and shall have the effect of constituting of a joint waiver of notice of the meeting;
(b) The vote of either, but not both, shall constitute one vote;
(c) A waiver of notice signed by either or both shall constitute a joint waiver.
(d) Notice to either shall constitute notice to both;
(e) Expulsion of either shall terminate the joint membership;
(f) Withdrawal of either shall terminate the joint membership;
(g) Either but not both may be elected or appointed as an officer of trustee, provided that both meet the qualifications for such office. (Amended October 1986.)

Section 3. Conversion of Membership
Upon the death of either spouse who is a party to the joint membership, such membership shall be held solely by the survivor. The estate of the deceased shall not be released from any debts due to the Cooperative.

Section 4. Membership Fees
The membership fee shall be five dollars, upon the payment of which a member shall be eligible for one service connection.

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 therefor at rates which shall from time to time be fixed by the Board of Trustees. 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 minimum amount per month as shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees from time to time, regardless of the amount of electric energy consumed. 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
(a) Any member may withdraw from membership upon compliance with such uniform terms and conditions as the Board of Trustees may prescribe. The Board of Trustees may, by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of all the Trustees, expel any member who shall have refused or failed to comply with any of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or rules or regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees, but only if such member shall have been given written notice by the Cooperative that such refusal or failure makes him liable to expulsion and such refusal or failure shall have continued for at least ten days after such notice was given. Any expelled member may be reinstated by vote of the Board of Trustees or by vote of the members at any annual or special meeting.
(b) Upon the withdrawal, death, cessation of existence, or expulsion of a member, the membership of such member shall thereupon terminate, except as provided in Section 3 and Section 4 of this Article. Termination of membership in any manner shall not release a member or his/her estate from any debts due to 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 him, 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.