inc. slope electric cooperative, 2017... · are entering the lineman program, mechanic program, or...

In this issue:• Future leaders earn

student scholarships

• Youth Tour winner announced

• Operation Round Up report

• Safety is a continuous journey

• Holiday closing and more

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www.slopeelectric.coop SLOPE ELECTRIC NEWS , JUNE 2017 C1

Brother’s keeperWe are proud of our culture of safety at Slope Electric Cooperative. On April 25, James Neether, safety instructor with the North Dakota

Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, held pole-top rescue safety training in New England. The weather was foggy and damp, and matched

the tone of the mission. We hope our linemen never have to perform a rescue — but if they do, they will be ready.

PHO

TOS BY JAM

ES NEETH

ER

Lyle Kovar Craig Turner

Future leaders earn student scholarships

Slope Electric Cooperative is pleased to announce the winners of the Basin Electric Power Cooperative/Slope Electric Cooperative

scholarship awards. Exemplifying the Touchstone Energy® Cooperative value of commitment to community, Slope awarded one $1,000 scholarship in partnership with Basin Electric, and two $1,000 scholarships from Slope; one of which was sponsored by West Dakota Utility Services LLC and 3C Construction LLC.

This is a new opportunity for member-dependents of our cooperative. We were pleased to learn that the board of directors of 3C Construction and West Dakota Utility Services have each generously extended a scholarship to each of its owners, including Slope. The intention of the scholarship is to assist students who are entering the lineman program, mechanic program,

or an industry studied at a certified vocational or technical school.

The committee of judges reviewed applications with names and town references removed, and assigned points to the following five categories: activities/achievements/honors, work experience, goals, grades, and an essay describing the statement, “Describe how a strong and united cooperative community supports and serves your hometown.”

The scores resulted in the following students being selected as winners:• Basin Electric scholarship: Travis Anderson from

Mott/Regent Public School• Slope Electric scholarship: Jenna Ehlis from

New England High School • Vocational/Technical scholarship: MaLynn

Kautzman from Mott/Regent High School

Travis AndersonTravis Anderson, Regent, earned a $1,000 scholarship. A

graduate of Mott-Regent High School in May 2016, Travis graduated with honors. Active in speech, drama, choir, band and FBLA, he was also awarded the American Legion award for courage, honor, leadership, patriotism and service.

Travis also represented Slope on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in June 2016, and vied for the coveted position of Youth Leadership Council. He earned the seat, and represented North Dakota’s electric cooperatives throughout the year on a nationwide level. A speech he wrote for the position propelled him to third place nationwide.

In his scholarship application, Travis wrote that cooperatives have played an important role in his life, providing electricity and fiber optics; both of which are necessary to be a part of today’s ever-growing digital world. He also highlighted local cooperatives including a grocery store, grain elevator, hardware store, electric company, water provider and telecommunications company.

“These all support and serve my hometowns, and have greatly contributed to the quality of life I have lived,” he wrote.

A farm hand for Anderson Farms, Travis plans to obtain a biology degree with an emphasis in pre-medicine from the University of North Dakota. Then he plans to attend medical school and obtain a doctorate, and practice medicine in rural North Dakota.

Travis is the son of Slope members Larry and Paula Anderson.

C2 JUNE 2017 , SLOPE ELECTRIC NEWS www.slopeelectric.coop

Jenna EhlisJenna Ehlis, New England, earned a $1,000 scholarship. The 2016 class

valedictorian at New England Public School, Jenna played volleyball, basketball and softball, and was involved in concert choir, band and National Honor Society.

In her scholarship application, Jenna wrote the three main ways in which cooperative communities in her hometown support and serve are by providing services with great accountability, providing local job opportunities and generating sales tax.

“The cooperative ownership structure provides great accountability at an affordable cost. Cooperatives are accountable to their patrons, as their patrons — or members — elect the board of directors who run for the cooperatives. The cooperatives and community work hand in hand to help their patrons run successful businesses and households,” she wrote.

An equipment operator for Ehlis Farms and youth baseball coach for the New England Park Board, Jenna plans to graduate from the University of Mary in 2020 with a major in biology and minor in chemistry. She hopes to continue her education upon being accepted into dental school. She is striving to work as a dentist in a small, rural area, while working to better the community.

Jenna is the daughter of Slope members Elliott and Tara Ehlis.

MaLynn KautzmanMaLynn Kautzman, Mott, earned a $1,000 scholarship. A graduate

of Mott-Regent High School, MaLynn was involved in basketball, volleyball and track, FFA on local and national levels, and a variety of choir and band groups. She also earned the Best Volleyball Serve Award and regional placement in volleyball, and was the American Legion Free-Throw Champion.

In her scholarship application, MaLynn noted how she has seen Slope help improve the quality of life in her rural area, by sponsoring the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, giving student scholarships and sending students on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

“My own family once experienced a lengthy power outage due to an ice storm, and Slope Electric kept us informed and worked tirelessly to return our power,” she wrote. “These and many other services provided show how our cooperative community supports and cares about my hometown.”

A lifeguard for Mott Pool and a cook for the Mott Equity and C-Store, MaLynn plans to attend Saint Paul College in Minnesota this fall, and pursue a degree in culinary arts. After college, she hopes to receive an internship and work with chefs in various restaurants. Her ultimate goal is to own and operate a restaurant, and bring people together through food.

MaLynn is the daughter of Slope members Tom and Sherry Kautzman.

I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for the scholarship of $1,000 that I was awarded. This scholarship will greatly aid me in tuition costs this coming semester at the University of Mary. I am majoring in Biology with the hopes of eventually being accepted into dental school. I am honored to be chosen as the recipient of this scholarship. Thank you once again for your generosity in helping me achieve my academic goals.Jenna Ehlis


Members, thanks for attending YOUR annual meeting!

The Slope Electric Cooperative directors, co-general managers and employees thank you, our member-owners, for attending the

72nd annual meeting of the membership held June 1 at the Enchanted Castle in Regent. This year’s theme was, “Members — the Foundation of the Future.” We appreciate the interest and support you continue to show in your electric cooperative!

Members in attendance enjoyed a roast beef dinner, listened to various cooperative updates, and fulfilled the second cooperative principle — democratic member control — by voting to fill the board positions held by Steve Wegner, Angela Carson and Terryl Jacobs.

To learn the voting results and meeting highlights, read about Slope’s annual meeting in the July local community pages of the North Dakota Living magazine.

Your change, changes lives. Every penny donated goes to a worthy cause. Total funds given in the Slope Electric service area to-date since the start of Operation Round Up are more than $200,000.

Your change, changes lives. Every penny

From small change to life change

Slope ElectricCooperative, Inc.

Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative

Apply for an Operation Round Up grant.

Deadline: Aug. 1

The Operation Round Up board held a conference call on May 10. They awarded $3,750 to two individuals and two organizations. Each donation is matched by Slope Electric. Their next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 8. If you or someone you know needs help, please fill out an application and submit it by Aug. 1. To download the application, visit http://www.slopeelectric.coop/ and click on Your Community and Operation Round Up. Or, call the cooperative at 701-579-4191 or 800-559-4191 and request an application, or stop by headquarters in New England and pick one up.

Operation Round Up: Doing good things for friends, neighbors, community


Ehlis shares thoughts on democracy, earns Youth Tour trip

This summer, Slope Electric Cooperative will send Paige Ehlis to Washington, D.C.,

to participate in the 2017 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. She competed in an essay-writing contest to earn this honor, and the opportunity to spend a week learning about U.S. government and rural electric cooperatives. She is a junior at New England Public School and the daughter of Elliott and Tara Ehlis, who are Slope Electric Cooperative members from the New England area.

Paige will join participating North Dakota and Montana students for the trip, scheduled for June 10 to 16. Coordinated and paid for by electric cooperatives across the state and nation, the Youth Tour is an opportunity for 1,500 students to travel to our nation’s capital

and watch history come alive as they explore museums, memorials and monuments.

In the Touchstone Energy® Cooperative value of commitment to community, and with a desire to help mentor our state’s future leaders, Slope Electric Cooperative has sent one student annually on the trip for the past 11 years.

This year, Paige answered

the essay-contest question: “Democracy is the foundation of our American way of life and of cooperative enterprise. The fundamentals of democracy include voter participation, political party affiliation, and public debate of issues. Describe what you think makes our current democracy strong, and provide suggestions for ways our democracy can be made stronger and more effective.”

Her response outlines how voter participation, political party affiliation and public debate of issues help make our democracy strong. Her essay appears below.

Enjoy your trip, Paige. You earned it! This summer, we’ll visit with her again, and learn the highlights of her Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

I believe that America is a strong democracy. Our democracy is made strong from voter participation, political party affiliation and public debate of issues.

About 55 percent of the population in the United States votes in the presidential elections. Voter participation has decreased in recent elections. People likely do not vote for two reasons: They believe their vote will not count, or it is not convenient for them to vote. I believe that the voting turnout does matter and is important for a healthy democracy. Every vote has mattered in recent elections; especially local elections that can be decided by one or two votes. One way to increase voter participation

is to make it possible for one to vote online. Young people would like voting online more because they are tech-savvy. It would be easier for older people who cannot make it out of their house, and people who are busy working and unable to make it to a ballot box.

It is important for a democracy to have more than one political party. A strong democracy has at least two political parties. By being involved in a political party, you are able to voice your opinion and start political movements. For my generation, education is very important to be able to understand the issues of what is happening in our democracy. If students are educated and understand political issues, they will become more actively engaged in a political party that aligns with their views.

Even people under the voting age can voice their opinions and help organize political movements.

The lifeline of a strong democracy is public debate of issues. Public debate occurs at various levels including local, state and national stages. Public debate allows our voice to be heard. Our voice can be heard even if we are the minority on an issue. Debating is very healthy to present both sides of an issue before votes are cast. I believe greater use of social media would make debates quicker, cheaper and more accessible to everyone.

I believe the United States of America has a very healthy democracy. This democracy could be made even stronger though by more voting participation, political party affiliation and public debate of issues.

Essay on democracyBY PAIGE BREANNE EHLIS

Paige Ehlis


Safety is a continuous journey, not a final destination.


Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative


Highway 21 Treasure Hunt rummage sale event June 16-17

Discover treasures and have fun during North Dakota’s 16th annual 100-mile rummage sale, the Highway 21 Treasure Hunt. It will be held

Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT.

“With approximately 100 rummage sales along the 100-mile route, this is the most unique rummage sale event in North Dakota,” says Luann Dart, Elgin, who coordinates the event.

The event attracts visitors from across the state and country. Calls have been received from those living in Oregon, Iowa and Canadian provinces.

During the event, communities along Highway 21 in southwestern North Dakota host citywide rummage sales. Participating communities include Flasher, Carson, Heil, Elgin, New Leipzig, Mott, Regent and New England. Rural residents host sales, too, so watch for signs along the route for additional sales. Also watch for sales along Highway 6 in the St. Anthony area.

Listings for each community’s sales will be available at certain locations in that community, such as restaurants or gas stations, as well as on the Highway 21 Treasure Hunt Facebook page prior to the event.

“Anyone who enjoys rummage sales will love this event,” Dart says.

A small group of volunteers from each community spearheads the event each year, with advertising

expenses covered with donations from local, civic-minded organizations.

“Hundreds of people have discovered the treasures along Highway 21 during the annual Highway 21 Treasure Hunt,” Dart says. “We encourage everyone to plan to attend the 2017 event.”

For more information, contact Luann Dart at 701-584-2172.

Discover treasures on North Dakota’s

original 100-mile rummage sale.

Citywide rummage sales in Flasher, Carson, Heil, Elgin,

New Leipzig, Mott, Regent and New England.

For more information, call 701-584-2172.

Highway 21

Treasure Hunt

June 16-17, 20178 a.m.-5 p.m. MT

The Original

Call before you dig!

Planting a tree? Installing a fence? Remember to contact North Dakota One Call fi rst! The fi rst step to any project is safety, and damaging an underground facility while you dig can cause injury or even death.

Numerous utility lines may be buried on your property, ranging from electric and telephone lines to water and sewer lines, but North Dakota One Call will help you locate these lines before your project begins.

Contact North Dakota One Call and utility line owners will locate and mark their lines. These locates do not include any lines you may have installed to your private facilities, such as detached garages, wells or yard lights.

Go online at www.ndonecall.com or call 800-795-0555 or 811.

It’s free, it’s simple and it’s the law.


INNOVATIVE ENERGY ALLIANCE COOPERATIVE STAFF

DONALD FRANKLUNDCo-General Manager/CEOCHRIS BAUMGARTNERCo-General Manager/CEO

TRAVIS KUPPERChief Financial Offi cer

LINDA PETERSONAccountant IISANDI WADEAccountant II

CHARLIE DUNBARChief Information Offi cer

ADAM BLOMSSystems Administrator

ROB KELLYManager of Engineering Services

TRISHA SAMUELSONAssistant Engineering Manager

TAYLOR VAN DYKECivil Engineer I

DARREN STASTNYSafety CoordinatorTERESA BAUER

Human Resources ManagerJOE VOLK

Transmission/Substation Maintenance Mgr.CARMEN DEVNEY

Communications CoordinatorDEAN MOSTADGIS Specialist

SLOPE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE STAFF

LaWANNA WILHELMChief of Staff/Key Accounts Executive

DEAN VOLKOperations Manager

ROD BENZAMR/SCADA Technician

LYNN KLEINExecutive AssistantDANIELA HOWIE

Operations Coordinator/Consumer Repr.DARLENE HERBERHOLZ

Plant AccountantBROOKE WALTNER

BookkeeperROGER WIPF

Warehouse/Materials CoordinatorDARWIN WILKEOutpost Foreman

LYLE KOVARLine TechnicianCRAIG TURNERLine Technician

CHRIS BACKHAUSLine TechnicianJEFF BOYNTONLine Technician

ANDREW SONSALLALine TechnicianCODY BRAATENLine TechnicianDUSTY HOFF

Line TechnicianJON LAWHEADLine TechnicianLOGAN SEIFERTLine TechnicianMARK FRANK

Line TechnicianDREW MADLER

Apprentice Line Technician


Head west for less!Head west for less!In partnership with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, more

than 10 Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives in North Dakota have joined forces to make vacationing in North Dakota more affordable for families, including Slope Electric Cooperative. This summer, head west to Medora, where electric cooperative members are eligible for a 15-percent discount off the following reservations:

Tickets to the Medora MusicalPitchfork Steak FondueBully Pulpit Golf Course

Lodging at any of the following:P Bunkhouse MotelP Badlands MotelP Rough Riders Hotel

Members also receive 20 percent off at the Cowboy Hall of Fame by providing the discount code (Touch2017) at the door. Advanced reservations are not available.

Hotel rooms book fast, so please reserve your rooms as soon as possible.

Call 1-800-MEDORA-1 for reservations and provide the discount code (Touch2017) to receive your savings.


inc. slope electric cooperative, 2017... · are entering the lineman program, mechanic program, or...

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