North Dakota Association Of Rural Cooperatives

HELPING MEMBER COOPERATIVES ENRICH THE LIVES OF THEIR MEMBERS AND COMMUNITIES.

PUBLICATIONS AND GRAPHIC ARTS SERVICES:PUBLICATIONS- PRODUCED 12 MONTHLY NORTH DAKOTA LIVING MAGAZINES, INCLUDING 1,440 UNIQUE LOCAL PAGES FOR 17 ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR MEMBERS.- PRODUCED INCOME-GENERATING PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING THE NDAREC/BAND MEMBER DIRECTORY, N.D. TRAVEL GUIDE, N.D. HUNTING AND FISHING GUIDE, BIG IRON GUIDE AND THE BISMARCK-MANDAN CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU (CVB) GUIDE. SECURED PARTNERSHIP TO PRODUCE A NEW PUBLICATION IN 2024, THE BOTTINEAU CVB GUIDE.- DISSEMINATED MONTHLY DIGITAL MAGAZINES TO MEMBER COOPERATIVES AND DIGITIZED CONTENT FOR USE ONLINE AT WWW.NDLIVING.COM.- EXCEEDED BUDGETED REVENUES FOR ADVERTISING, GENERATING MORE THAN $600,000 TO REDUCE THE COST OF DELIVERING NORTH DAKOTA LIVING TO CO-OP MEMBERS.- PROVIDED EDUCATION AND INFORMATION THROUGH PRINT AND ONLINE PIECES, COVERING A VARIETY OF STATE, LOCAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES, AND ELECTRIC INDUSTRY, SAFETY AND COOPERATIVE TOPICS IMPORTANT TO NDAREC'S MEMBERSHIP.GRAPHIC ARTS- CREATED 1,825 TOTAL PAGES FOR NORTH DAKOTA LIVING.- PRODUCED 24 NETWORK PAGES FOR MEMBER USE ON ELECTRIC SAFETY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND USAGE TOPICS.- COMPLETED MULTIPLE DESIGN PROJECTS FOR MEMBER COOPERATIVES AND STATEWIDE SERVICE AREAS, INCLUDING COOPERATIVE ANNUAL REPORTS, NEWSLETTERS, SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS, SIGNS AND BANNERS, PHOTOGRAPHY AND MORE.MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS- ENGAGED WITH MEDIA FOR BOTH EARNED AND PAID OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING FULFILLING REPRINT REQUESTS FOR STORIES IN NORTH DAKOTA LIVING, MONTHLY RADIO AD PRODUCTION, STATEWIDE RADIO SPOTS AND INTERVIEWS, AND TELEVISION NEWS COVERAGE.- REPRESENTED ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES AT MULTIPLE TRADE SHOWS ACROSS THE STATE, PROVIDING VALUABLE CONTACT WITH MEMBERS, BUSINESSES, PARTNERS AND ADVERTISERS.NORTH DAKOTA LIVING STUDY COMMITTEE- CONVENED A DIVERSE TASK FORCE OF DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND MANAGERS TO EVALUATE THE NORTH DAKOTA LIVING MAGAZINE, WITH BROAD PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT FROM NDAREC MEMBER-COOPERATIVES.- PERFORMED A SWOT ANALYSIS TO DEVELOP COMMITTEE GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND A WORKPLAN, AND COORDINATED A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH NUMEROUS PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATION SHARED. A FINAL REPORT WITH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AND A SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE NDAREC BOARD IN FEBRUARY 2024.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION & MEMBER SERVICES:RURAL DEVELOPMENT- PREPARED SUCCESSFUL U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN AND GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATIONS FOR 1173 MALL (ABLE, INC.), DEVILS LAKE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER AND TWO TRACK MALTING.- RAISED FUNDING FOR AND LAUNCHED A STUDY ENCOMPASSING A 100-MILE RADIUS OF MINOT TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING A MULTI-PARTNER WAREHOUSE TO SERVE RURAL GROCERS, LOCAL PRODUCERS AND A FOOD BANK, AND IDENTIFY OTHER LOGICAL PARTNERS. THE WAREHOUSE WOULD INCLUDE PROCESSING SPACE FOR LOCALLY PRODUCED FOODS AND AGGREGATING SPACE FOR ALL PARTNERS. STAFF SECURED A $160,000 GRANT THROUGH USDA'S LOCAL FOODS PROMOTION PROGRAM TO ASSIST WITH THE DATA COLLECTION, EDUCATION AND ORGANIZATION OF LOCAL FOODS PRODUCERS IN THIS REGION IN AN EFFORT TO CONNECT THEM TO THE PROJECT.- RECEIVED A GRANT AWARD THROUGH USDA'S RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM TO DEFRAY THE COSTS OF OPERATING THE DEVELOPMENT CENTER.- PARTNERED THE NORTH DAKOTA RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE FOUNDATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES IN MINNESOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA IN THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL FOOD BUSINESS CENTER. SECURED A FIVE-YEAR $300,000 GRANT THROUGH USDA FOR STAFFING THE FOUNDATION'S ROLE IN THE CENTER.- PROVIDED ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION (RDFC). SINCE ITS INCEPTION, RDFC HAS PROVIDED 139 LOANS, AND ITS REVOLVING LOAN FUND HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN $8.4 MILLION.- SECURED A $10 MILLION GRANT FOR RDFC THROUGH THE USDA MEAT PLANT INTERMEDIARY LENDING PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH A REVOLVING LOAN FUND TO FINANCE EMERGING AND EXPANDING MEAT PLANTS.- HOSTED THE ANNUAL RURAL DEVELOPERS' ASSEMBLY, WHICH FEATURED THE MONTANA COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND THEIR EXPERTISE IN DEVELOPING RURAL INVESTMENT COOPERATIVES.- NETWORKED WITH OTHER RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT CENTERS TO DEVELOP A PRE-FEASIBILITY TEMPLATE FOR SMALL MEAT PLANTS. THE TEMPLATE IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBPAGE.- LED AN EFFORT TO CREATE A NEW $1 MILLION STATE-FUNDED GRANT PROGRAM TO REPLICATE THE RURAL ACCESS DISTRIBUTION COOPERATIVE MODEL ACROSS THE STATE.- SECURED A $50,000 GRANT FOR THE START-UP OF BEARCAT DEN DAYCARE IN HEBRON AND A $189,000 GRANT FOR DAKOTA ESTATES RETIREMENT CENTER IN LIDGERWOOD THROUGH AN ANONYMOUS DONOR.- BOLSTERED THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT WEBPAGE WITH COOPERATIVE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT TOOLS AND CONCEPTS.EDUCATION & MEMBER SERVICESTRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT- DEVELOPED AND DIRECTED AN EDUCATION PLAN WITH COURSEWORK FOR BOARD MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS. THIS INCLUDED PLANNING, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS; CONTRACT AND FEE NEGOTIATIONS; REGISTRATION AND ON-SITE MANAGEMENT.- PLANNED, COORDINATED AND DELIVERED SEVEN BOARD GOVERNANCE PROGRAMS, 17 EMPLOYEE WEBINARS AND FOUR SUPERVISOR AND MANAGER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM COURSES.- DIRECTED PLANNING AND PARTICIPATION IN THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE YOUTH TOUR. THE NORTH DAKOTA YOUTH TOUR, WHICH WAS STARTED WITH ONE STUDENT SPONSORED BY NDAREC IN 2003, REACHED ITS 20-YEAR MILESTONE IN 2023. OVER THE YEARS, PARTICIPATION HAS INCREASED TO INCLUDE 15 OF 16 DISTRIBUTION COOPERATIVES. 2023 WAS THE FIRST YEAR NDAREC PLANNED AND COORDINATED THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM WITHOUT THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE MONTANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES' ASSOCIATION.- PLANNED AND DELIVERED THE COOPERATIVE CONNECTION ORIENTATION PROGRAM FOR NEW EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS. TWELVE NDAREC DISTRIBUTION MEMBERS AND THE INNOVATIVE ENERGY ALLIANCE COOPERATIVE PARTICIPATED IN THE THREE-DAY PROGRAM.MEETINGS & CONFERENCE PLANNING- PLANNED AND FACILITATED VIRTUAL MONTHLY MEETINGS FOR THE REC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND CYBERSECURITY EMPLOYEE USER GROUP. PLANNED AND HOSTED THE FIRST CONFERENCE FOR THIS USER GROUP IN OCTOBER 2023.- FACILITATED PLANNING SESSIONS WITH THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS FOR THREE EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS, RESULTING IN TWO EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION MEETINGS FOR MEMBER SERVICES AND COMMUNICATIONS, A CONFERENCE FOR THE OFFICE MANAGERS AND ACCOUNTANTS, AND A CONFERENCE FOR ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS. THIS INCLUDED ALL ASPECTS OF PLANNING, COMMUNICATIONS, CONTRACT AND FEE NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS AND INDUSTRY EXPERTS; REGISTRATION AND ON-SITE MANAGEMENT.- RECRUITED SPONSORSHIPS FROM NDAREC ASSOCIATE MEMBERS, INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND VENDORS FOR EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, CONFERENCES AND THE ANNUAL MEETING. THIS RESULTED IN REDUCED BILL-BACKS OR NO BILL-BACKS TO MEMBER-COOPERATIVES. ALSO PLANNED AND HOSTED THE ANNUAL EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS CONFERENCE IN DECEMBER.

SAFETY TRAINING SERVICES:IN 2023, NDAREC DELIVERED SERVICES TO 24 MEMBERS IN THREE CORE AREAS: APPRENTICESHIP, TRAINING AND SAFETY/LOSS CONTROL SERVICES. MEMBERS INCLUDED COOPERATIVES, MUNICIPALS, CONTRACTORS AND THE MINOT AIR FORCE BASE.APPRENTICESHIP- ADMINISTERED THE APPRENTICESHIP AND SKILLS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR 63 ENROLLEES STUDYING LINEWORKER, METER TECHNICIAN AND SUBSTATION CURRICULUM. THIRTEEN LINEWORKERS GRADUATED. SINCE 1968, NDAREC'S APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS HAVE TRAINED HUNDREDS OF LINEWORKERS AND METER TECHNICIANS.- SUBMITTED A PLAN TO ADD A SUBSTATION TECHNICIAN AND RELAY TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO HELP MAINTAIN A SKILLED WORKFORCE.- SUPPORTED VETERANS IN ACHIEVING GI BILL BENEFITS WHILE ENROLLED IN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.TRAINING- COORDINATED THE 59TH ANNUAL APPRENTICESHIP, TRAINING AND SAFETY CONFERENCE, WHICH ATTRACTED 265 ATTENDEES.- PROVIDED NORTH DAKOTA AND MONTANA MEMBERS WITH ON-SITE TRAINING MEETINGS, VISITING 304 LOCATIONS AND REACHING 2,891 EMPLOYEES.- CONDUCTED DIELECTRIC TRUCK TESTING AT 33 LOCATIONS IN NORTH DAKOTA AND MONTANA. A TOTAL OF 115 TRUCKS WERE TESTED.- PROVIDED SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN HOTLINE WORK, TREE TRIMMING AND GROUNDING/BONDING.SAFETY/LOSS CONTROL- COORDINATED STORM RESTORATION EFFORTS FOR THE JANUARY ICE AND FOG EVENT THAT IMPACTED MOST OF THE STATE. AIDED IN FACILITATING A PRESIDENTIAL DISASTER DECLARATION TO GAIN ACCESS TO FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FUNDING.- REPRESENTED NDAREC ON THE STATE ENHANCED HAZARD MITIGATION TEAM, HELPING IDENTIFY NATURAL HAZARDS AND RISKS AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE RESILIENCY AND ACCESSIBILITY TO FEDERAL MITIGATION AND RECOVERY DOLLARS.- HOSTED A MEETING FOR THE COOPERATIVE REGIONAL MUTUAL AID PLAN TEAM AND PREPARED FOR ADDRESSING A WIDESPREAD DISASTER.- INFLUENCED SAFETY THROUGH THE RURAL ELECTRIC SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM (RESAP). ALL NORTH DAKOTA DISTRIBUTION COOPERATIVES AND MINNKOTA POWER COOPERATIVE PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.- CONDUCTED RESAP ON-SITE OBSERVATIONS FOR SEVEN COOPERATIVES.- AIDED IN THE REDESIGN OF THE CEO COMMITMENT ELEMENT OF RESAP.- MONITORED UPDATES TO REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE STANDARDS RELEVANT TO THE INDUSTRY. AIDED IN MEASURING SAFETY PERFORMANCE AND MANAGING LOSS CONTROL.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & COMMUNICATION SERVICES:GOVERNMENT RELATIONS- MONITORED MORE THAN 90 BILLS DURING THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. A TOTAL OF 990 BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS WERE INTRODUCED, OF WHICH ONLY 337 FAILED.- POSITIONED NDAREC'S MEMBERS TO CAPITALIZE ON FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA) AND THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT. NORTH DAKOTA IS ONE OF FOUR STATES AND TWO TRIBAL NATIONS TO RECEIVE THE FIRST ROUND OF IIJA GRID RESILIENCY GRANTS.- CONTRACTED WITH CONVERGE STRATEGIES AND COORDINATED EFFORTS TO PUT FORTH TWO PROPOSALS FOR FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES.- REPRESENTED NDAREC'S MEMBERS IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT RELIABILITY, SITING AND RETIREMENT OF RESOURCES.- HOSTED THE STATE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS FOR THEIR ELECTION OF LEADERS AND A CROSSOVER CAUCUS IN WHICH THE PARTY IDENTIFIED ITS PRIORITIES FOR TAX RELIEF.- COORDINATED RURAL ELECTRIC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (REPAC) MEETINGS AND PROVIDED SUPPORT TO STATEWIDE AND LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES WHO SUPPORT RURAL ELECTRIC ISSUES.- FACILITATED NORTH DAKOTA'S PARTICIPATION IN NRECA'S LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE AND THE FALL FLY-IN IN WASHINGTON, D.C.- CONTINUED POSITIONING NDAREC AS A RESOURCE AND LEADER IN DISCUSSIONS REGARDING ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.- MET WITH NORTH DAKOTA'S DELEGATION MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE AUGUST RECESS, HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR PERMITTING REFORM, PASSAGE OF A FARM BILL, AND SUPPLY CHAIN AND EPA REGULATORY CHALLENGES.COMMUNICATIONS- PROVIDED COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANCE TO ALL NDAREC SERVICE AREAS.- CONSISTENTLY REACHED GOALS OF THE 2023 NDAREC STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLAN AND ASSISTED EACH SERVICE AREA WITH IMPLEMENTATION WHILE MONITORING PROGRESS.- SPONSORED A COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP, WHICH FEATURED PRESENTATIONS ON GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIES.- COMMUNICATED CO-OP MESSAGING THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES, INCLUDING THE NDAREC AND NORTH DAKOTA LIVING FACEBOOK AND X PAGES, WEBSITES AND YOUTUBE CHANNELS.- MONITORED AND COMMUNICATED INFORMATION FOR CO-OP COMMUNICATORS CONCERNING TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVES AND NRECA'S STRAIGHT TALK.- WORKED WITH THE MEDIA TO PROMOTE ISSUES IMPORTANT TO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES AND THEIR MEMBERS, APPEARING IN MORE THAN 55 NEWS STORIES AND INTERVIEWS.