Member Owner
Benefits.
If your home is within RTC's original service territory, you're not just a customer — you're a member-owner. Here's what that means for you.
Years Co-op Owned
Original Charter
Elected Board Members
Approved Retirements
It's Based on Where You Live.
Membership isn't something you sign up for — it's determined by your address. If your home falls within the incumbent territory originally granted to RTC in 1949, you're already a member-owner.
This is how cooperatives have always worked. Your address is your stake. The communities we were chartered to serve back in 1949 are the same communities whose residents are member-owners today.
You're likely a member if you live in or near:
Not sure? Call 812-486-3211 — we can look it up for you in under a minute.
The Co-op Difference
"When RTC succeeds, the community succeeds. That's not a marketing line — it's literally how the math works. Our margins go back to the members whose spending created them."
— Kirk Lehman, CEO
Member-Owner Benefits
Being a member-owner isn't just a title. It comes with real, tangible value — year after year.
Capital Credits
Capital-credit allocations depend on eligible service activity, the cooperative’s margins and RTC’s policies. An allocation is different from a cash payment.
Annual Meeting & Prizes
Members are invited to RTC's Annual Meeting, typically held the third Thursday of April each year. About one month prior, you'll receive an annual book in the mail with details from last year's meeting, a letter from the CEO and Board President, and other important co-op business information. Attend in person for a chance to win prizes.
A Voice in the Co-op
Your area's elected Board Member represents your interests in every major decision RTC makes. You can vote in Board elections and directly influence the path forward for your community's cooperative.
Community Investment
Profits stay local. When RTC does well, that money goes back into the infrastructure, people, and communities we serve — not to shareholders in a distant boardroom.
UnderstandingCapital Credits
Everything you need to know about how your co-op returns its profits — from allocation to retirement. No jargon. Just the facts.
A Capital-Intensive Industry
Telecom — like RTC (Daviess-Martin Rural Telephone Company) — requires significant investment to maintain operations and prepare communities for future growth. As a non-profit cooperative, we work to minimize costs while returning profits to our members.
How Capital Credits Help
To help fund new builds, products, and services — and avoid expensive finance charges — RTC uses Capital Credits. Those credits represent profits that are eventually returned to members when the Board determines it's financially responsible to do so.
Annual Allocation Statements
Allocation notices and retirement payments are separate. An allocation records your share of eligible margins; a payment occurs only when the Board approves a retirement. Contact RTC for the current schedule.
Capital Credits, Simplified
Credits
Cycle
Credits Start
Credits start the moment a member purchases services from RTC. Every bill paid into the cooperative contributes to your member equity.
Auto-cycling — click a step to pause
Note:Members are considered those who have addresses within RTC Communications' incumbent service area. Those outside the incumbent area are not considered members and are not eligible to receive capital credits.
Capital Credit FAQs
01What are capital credits?
Each month when you pay your bill, you are contributing to a member-owned cooperative. Since RTC is a nonprofit organization, we return our profits to the members. Capital credit returns are based on the profit for the year, with each member’s share calculated by the percentage they paid into the cooperative.
02What is the difference between capital credit allocation and retirement/disbursement?
When income exceeds expenses, margins are allocated to each member’s capital credit account according to their usage — this is capital credit allocation. Capital credits are retired (returned) to members when the Board of Directors determines it will not jeopardize the cooperative’s financial condition.
03I just started service. How long before I get a check?
The Board reviews the cooperative’s financial condition before approving retirements. Contact RTC for current retirement years and the status of your account; a payment date is not guaranteed.
04Can capital credits be applied toward my RTC bill?
No. Banking policies prevent us from accepting endorsed capital credit checks as payment on your account.
05Can I cash my capital credit check at RTC?
No. You can cash these checks at your financial institution.
06Why are capital credits not paid out for the current year?
Capital credits are paid based on the total amount allocated for the year being retired and the dollar amount the Board approves for payout. This decision is based on the cooperative’s fiscal standing and industry standards.
07Why are you paying out capital credits from years long ago?
Each year the Board evaluates the cooperative’s financial condition and determines which, if any, capital credits will be retired. Currently, credits from earlier years are being retired.
08Why don’t you pay out full capital credits for the year?
Capital credits are based on the amount the Board allocates and approves for payout, after reviewing the cooperative’s financial condition and adhering to industry standards.
09How are capital credits figured (in simple terms)?
The total amount allocated is distributed among members who had service during the year, with amounts based on the services the member subscribed to — internet, long distance, or calling features.
10Why are capital credit check amounts different each year?
Your allocation and check depend on the services you subscribed to during the year and the amount the Board approves to retire.
11Why do I receive less money now than I used to?
The amount of your check depends on the services you used during the year and the cooperative’s payout decisions for that period.
12I received a check in the name of a former resident. What should I do?
Please do not open it. Mark “Return to Sender” on the envelope and send it back in the mail.
13If the check is in my spouse’s name and they are deceased, can I sign it?
No. Please return the check to RTC. You can request an estate packet, after which we will close the account and reissue the check to you.
14If there are two names on my check, do both people have to endorse it?
Yes. Most banks will require both signatures.
15How do I know if I’m receiving a capital credit for the current year?
You will receive an allocation statement. The amount will not be stated at that time. Depending on the financial situation, capital credits may not be allocated — in that case, a letter from the Board will be sent to member owners.
16I usually get a check but haven’t received it. What should I do?
Capital credits are paid in arrears, so profits for a certain year may not be paid yet. If a check was returned with a forwarding address, we will resend it. If it was undeliverable, you’ll need to complete the unclaimed capital credit process. If a check was lost, you can request a stop payment and reissue — a fee will be deducted.
17Do I have to claim capital credits as income on my tax returns?
Please consult with your tax advisor to determine if capital credits need to be included as income.
18How long do I have to cash my check?
Members have 120 days to cash their checks.
19How do I make sure I receive statements if I move out of the service area?
Keep your mailing address up to date with RTC so future capital credit payments reach you. Call 812-486-3211 to update your information.
The Board of Directors
RTC's Board is made up of six elected member-owners who represent the communities we serve. They vote on major decisions — rates, investments, and capital credit retirements — on your behalf.
David Redman
Board President
Williams Exchange
Board Director since 1985
Bennie Lawyer
Board Secretary/Treasurer
Plainville Exchange
Board Director since 1988
Josh Bauer
Board Vice President
Trinity Springs Exchange
Board Director since 2015
Rob Sullender
Board Director
Glendale Exchange
Board Director since 1999
Terry Street
Board Director
Alfordsville Exchange
Board Director since 2018
Jeff Doyle
Board Director
Montgomery Exchange
Board Director since 2024
Annual Meeting
Board elections are held at the Annual Meeting each year. Your vote counts.
Capital Credits & Member Benefits FAQ
Straight answers about how co-op membership and capital credits work.
What are capital credits?
Capital credits record eligible members’ allocated share of cooperative margins. Allocations and retirement payments depend on RTC’s policies and Board decisions.
How do I earn capital credits?
Allocations are based on eligible service activity under RTC’s policies. Ask our team which services and charges qualify for your account.
When do I receive a capital credits check?
The Board determines whether and when capital credits are retired based on the cooperative’s financial condition. RTC communicates approved retirement details to eligible current and former members.
Do I have to live in the service area to be a member?
Membership is based on your address falling within RTC's original incumbent territory — the area granted to RTC when it was established in 1949. If you live in or around Montgomery, Glendale, Plainville, Alfordsville, Williams, or Trinity Springs, you're most likely already a member. This isn't something you opt into — it's based on where you live.
What happens to my capital credits if I move away?
Your accumulated capital credits stay on the books even if you move. When RTC retires capital credits, former members are also eligible to receive payment. Make sure RTC has your current mailing address so your check reaches you.
What is the Annual Meeting?
RTC's Annual Meeting is typically held on the third Thursday of April each year. Member-owners are invited to attend in person to hear updates from leadership, vote on Board elections, and participate in prize drawings. About one month before the meeting, you'll receive an annual book in the mail that includes a recap of the previous year's meeting, a letter from the CEO and Board President, and other important co-op business information to review ahead of time.
How do Board Members represent me?
RTC's Board of Directors is made up of elected member-owners from across the service territory. Each Board Member represents a specific district and votes on major decisions — including rates, infrastructure investments, and capital credit retirements. You can vote in Board elections at the Annual Meeting.
How do I find out my capital credits balance?
Contact RTC directly at 812-486-3211 or stop by either office in Montgomery or Washington. A team member can pull up your account and tell you your accumulated capital credits balance.
Questions About Your Membership?
A real person at RTC can pull up your account and answer any question about your capital credits balance, membership status, or the upcoming Annual Meeting.