Chapter 9 FOOD, FUN AND POLITICS: A history of Verendrye Annual Meetings

Before moving the Verendrye annual meeting to Minot in 2000, they were held at the cooperative’s Velva office. This is a photo of the 1969 annual meeting.

he Verendrye Electric annual meeting Chairman Blaine Bruner. “It was a time to meet up epitomizes what it means to be a member with your friends and neighbors you hadn’t seen in a Tof a cooperative. Its lively atmosphere while, but it was also important because it gave you a provides a celebration of togetherness. Its election chance to participate in your cooperative.” gives members democratic control of their While the quintessential elements of today’s cooperative and its business meeting educates them annual meetings have evolved over the years, most of about the health of the cooperative. Add a delicious what happens at the meetings is steeped in tradition meal, entertainment and speeches from dignitaries, going back to when the cooperative was founded. and it becomes a time-honored tradition for the Three weeks after Verendrye Electric was whole family. incorporated, a meeting was held on Feb. 15, 1939, “When I remember the annual meetings as a to elect the first officers who had the daunting task kid, our whole family would take the day to attend of leading a brand new electric cooperative. Because and we knew it as Verendrye Day,” said Verendrye the cooperative started in the town of Verendrye,

Celebrating 75 Years of Verendrye Electric Cooperative | 80 the first annual meetings were held there. The be made to make changes to Verendrye policies or to meetings, and the cooperative’s headquarters, were thank officials for supporting the cooperative. eventually moved to Velva, and the annual meeting The 2012 annual meeting included a resolution was moved to Minot in 2000 where it is held in the to thank the City of Minot for renewing the State Fair Center. cooperative’s 20-year franchise. In 1979, a resolution was passed to endorse nuclear energy, DECISION MAKING even in the wake of the Three Mile Island incident. Annual meetings have always included election A resolution against a Burlington Dam project of directors, but many of the early ones also was also passed that year. The Burlington Dam included a number of mundane policy decisions, project caused consternation among some people, or administrative matters such as deciding on including some city aldermen who later threatened how much the cooperative should borrow from to revoke Verendrye’s Minot city franchise over the the Rural Electrification Administration. There resolution. Other water-related resolutions passed was even a resolution in 1940 directing the at annual meetings included support of the Garrison cooperative to use cedar poles and copper conductors diversion project and support for dams along the whenever possible. Souris River. Other meetings had greater implications, and Another notable resolution was in 1967 when included controversy. On November 22, 1940, a Verendrye members passed a resolution against special meeting was called to vote on moving the corporate farming in . Corporate headquarters from Verendrye to Velva. The motion farming is prohibited in North Dakota, but there to move the headquarters failed 52-56, but the issue have been a number of unsuccessful attempts to resurfaced at a meeting on March 26, 1941, that was overturn the ban. held in the Velva High School. This time the motion passed 162-49 and the headquarters was moved. FARMING Many of the early meetings included groups Farm issues have taken center stage at many of people voting by proxy, a process that allows annual meetings, especially during the 1980s when someone to vote on another person’s behalf. This prices were low and drought caused hardships. procedure would later prove to be controversial. The In 1980, the keynote speaker was the U.S. Verendrye board banned proxy voting at the 1954 Secretary of Agriculture Bob Berglund. Berglund annual meeting and a group of outspoken opponents spoke about how the Carter Administration would sued. The case was eventually decided by the North resume grain sales to the Soviet Union if the Soviets Dakota Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the would agree to pull out of Afghanistan. Carter halted Verendrye board to ban proxy voting. The board the sale of 17 million tons of grain to the Soviets in banned proxy voting because it wanted as many retaliation for their invasion of Afghanistan.1 people to attend annual meetings as possible. A memorable meeting was in 1982 when Resolutions are also an important part of annual Verendrye leaders demonstrated the plight of meetings. Resolutions can be made to urge an elected 1 Phil Glende, “Bergland Says Embargoes Better than Waging War,” official to take a position on an issue. They also can Minot Daily News, June 30, 1980.

81 | Building a dream together Former Sen. Byron Dorgan speaks at a Verendrye annual meeting. Pictured far left is former Verendrye Board Chairman Everett Dobrinski. Former Sen. is pictured farthest right and former Verendrye attorney John Petrik is next to him. farmers by allowing them to pay for a portion of Reagan Administration. That year, the members their electric bill with grain. At that time, grain passed a resolution to urge the Farmers Home prices were not high enough for farmers to pay the Administration to prioritize their loan program and cost of producing it. Farmers were allowed to bring put family farm needs at the forefront. up to 15 bushels and received a credit of $5.32 per In 1985, Sarah Vogel, an attorney in the civil bushel, which was the cost to the farmers to produce division of the N.D. Attorney General’s Office, spoke it. Verendrye collected 6,500 bushels, about enough about how pessimism among farmers was severe. to make 273,000 loaves of bread. Byron Dorgan, She noted that farm foreclosures had increased 300 then a freshman in the U.S. House, was the guest percent from 1982 to 1984 and that 23 percent of speaker at the meeting, and at that time Congress all the state’s farmers were delinquent on loans. was in a contentious debate over passing a farm bill. She estimated that, on average, 88 farmers in each “The pile of grain was huge. It was quite a county would go out of business that year. She was sight,” said Verendrye Manager Bruce Carlson. known for her efforts forcing the Farmers Home At the 1983 annual meeting, Dorgan returned, Administration to extend due process in foreclosure this time bringing Rep. E. Kika de la Garza, then against farmers. She eventually went on to become chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. the state agriculture commissioner.2 The theme for the meeting that year was “A dairy celebration.” Dorgan and de la Garza spoke about 2 Frank Strom, “Vogel Finds Some Cause for Optimism,” Minot the shortcomings of farm programs during the Daily News, June 22, 1985.

Celebrating 75 Years of Verendrye Electric Cooperative | 82 BMX stunt bikers were a popular attraction at a past annual meeting.

David Reiten, general manager of KXMC-TV, left, former Sen. Kent Conrad, and Chester Reiten, pose for a photo together at an annual meeting.

83 | Building a dream together Verendrye Mechanic Jon Hauf collects ballots at the 2013 annual meeting. The annual meetings give members a chance to vote for who they want to represent them on the board, or to run for election.

Women intently watch some type of kitchen demonstration at an annual meeting in this undated photo.

Celebrating 75 Years of Verendrye Electric Cooperative | 84 Sen. , a Minot native, has attended numerous annual meetings dating back to the time he was child. In this photo, taken in 2004, he was the governor of North Dakota.

DIGNITARIES There’s no doubt the large number of people attending Verendrye annual meetings draws in politicians. Recent annual meetings have drawn more than 3,000 people, and the governor is usually on hand to greet the guests. The earliest record of a governor speaking at an annual meeting was on June 16, 1944, when Gov. John Moses addressed the meeting and discussed the Missouri River and the REA in front of 102 members. The first record of a Congressman speaking at an annual meeting was on June 17, 1948, when Rep. Charles Robertson, of North Dakota, who was also a member of the House Appropriations Committee, spoke about REA funding. The minutes of that meeting read that “Mr. Roberts assured us that everyone in Congress was our friend and predicted a bright future for REA cooperatives.”

85 | Building a dream together Clyde T. Ellis, the first chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), spoke at the annual meeting in 1965. At that time, he was considered the leader of the rural electrification movement, having served as the CEO of the NRECA since 1942.

Celebrating 75 Years of Verendrye Electric Cooperative | 86 Verendrye members square dance at a Verendrye annual meeting in this undated photo. Annual meetings have always had a festive atmosphere.

While the REA did have a bright future, not going in the early days and what a wonderful thing everyone in Congress was favorable to the program. it was for people to get together,” he said. Sen. John Hoeven, who has spoken at several Verendrye was also honored to have had one annual meetings during his time as governor, has of the pioneers of rural electrification as a keynote a long history of attending them. His father Jack, a speaker. Clyde T. Ellis, the first CEO of the National Verendrye member and staunch supporter, is among Rural Electric Cooperative Association, spoke at the most loyal of annual meeting attendees. Jack the annual meeting in 1965. At the time, he was said he remembers missing maybe only one annual considered the leader of the rural electrification meeting since 1968. movement, having served as the CEO since 1942. “I think annual meetings are important because Prior to his time at the NRECA, Ellis served in I like to know who is going to be elected to your the U.S. House from Arkansas from 1938 to 1943. board,” Jack said. “I brought John to the meetings as According to a June 19, 1965 Minot Daily News a little boy and he enjoyed them a lot, too, especially article, 5,000 people turned out for the annual the ice cream.” meeting that year. Ellis spoke against efforts of Jack said he is pleased with the board members investor-owned utilities at the time that were who have served over the years and he knows how opposing an NRECA request to Congress for important the cooperative is to many. “I know how additional REA loan funds. hard a lot of people worked to get the cooperative “When you consider the cost of building and

87 | Building a dream together This 1954 advertisement published in the North Dakota REC/RTC Magazine told of the importance of attending the annual meeting. Although annual meetings have changed over the years, the reasons to attend remain the same.

Celebrating 75 Years of Verendrye Electric Cooperative | 88 Today’s annual meeting meals are prepared indoors, but past ones included outdoor cooking such as meat cooked on a rotisserie.

maintaining rural power lines, it is easy to see between the people of Iraq and North Dakota. that you operate at a tremendous disadvantage in Fourteen years later in 1990, the United States and comparison with the private power companies, UN coalition forces went to war with Iraq after the few of which have ever evidenced any interests in country invaded Kuwait, and in 2003, the United serving the thinly settled regions of rural America,” States invaded Iraq again. Ellis said.3 Another notable figure who attended an annual Some guests came from far away, including meeting was Britt Hume, an investigative journalist Amin El-Hassan, head of Iraq’s mission to the who later became ABC’s chief White House United States, who visited in 1976 and signed a correspondent and eventually worked for FOX statement of friendship with Gov. Arthur Link, News before retiring. Hume spoke at the annual meeting in 1972.

3 Minot Daily News, “5,000 at Verendrye REA Session,” June 19, 1965.

89 | Building a dream together Verendrye annual meetings typically draw more than 3,000 attendees.

This is a photo of the 1960 annual meeting. That year, Verendrye served 1,600 dinners, which included 600 pounds of beef, 90 gallons of pop and 2,300 ice cream cones.

Celebrating 75 Years of Verendrye Electric Cooperative | 90 The Harvey Clown Band entertained guests at past annual meetings.

Verendrye members use a large wire spool as a table to enjoy their annual meeting dinner.

Entertainment at past annual meetings included rides in Verendrye bucket trucks.

91 | Building a dream together In 1982, Verendrye leaders demonstrated the plight of farmers by allowing them to pay for a portion of their electric bill with grain. At that time, grain prices were not high enough for farmers to pay the cost of producing it. Standing are former board member Ralph Birdsall, right, and former manager Wally Beyer, left. Seated are former board member Cliff Gjellstad, right, and Robert Carlson, former North Dakota Farmers Union president.

Celebrating 75 Years of Verendrye Electric Cooperative | 92 Verendrye Manager Bruce Carlson greets guests at an annual meeting in the State Fair Center in Minot. Long ago, guests ate dinner outside at the annual meetings.

FOOD, PRIZES AND ENTERTAINMENT dining hall in the State Fair Center. Meals have been Verendrye’s annual meetings are the most well- a tradition at the annual meetings, and it was even attended of any distribution cooperative in the state, noted in the 1940 annual meeting minutes that a and are known for their lively atmosphere. free meal was served to the members. “Verendrye has always had a picnic or a party Before the Royal Fork began serving the atmosphere more so than the other cooperatives and meeting, various local groups around Velva, it was always one of the biggest,” said retired board including the Velva Music Mothers, would serve member Ralph Birdsall. food. Past meals include homemade potato salad, People familiar with today’s Verendrye annual beans, chicken, roast beef and even bison. meetings might rave about how a delicious meal of Entertainment is also a tradition at the annual meatballs, mashed potato and gravy are served, or meeting. The first mention of entertainment in the how Verendrye linemen hand out ice cream from a meeting minutes was the Velva Band performing in large refrigerated truck parked in the middle of the 1948. Entertainment usually includes clowns and

93 | Building a dream together Verendrye Chairman Blaine Bruner draws a name to win a cash prize at the 2013 annual meeting while Administrative Assistant Val Heisler calls to see if the person drawn is registered at the meeting.

games for kids, and a local musical group for the Prizes have also been a tradition at annual adults. Past annual meetings often included pony meetings. At the 1945 annual meeting, the main rides, and once included rides in a Verendrye bucket prizes awarded were a $25 war bond awarded to truck. There were also clown bands and BMX Christ W. Linnertz and an electric butter churn won bicycle stunt performers. by A.J. Kittelson. “We’ve always had a focus on kids,” Carlson To this day, the Verendrye annual meeting is said. considered a tradition for many members of the The annual meetings include displays and cooperative. Not only is it a time to get together demonstrations, including a truck that used and celebrate the cooperative’s history and hydrogen for fuel, solar panels and electric safety accomplishments, it is a day to remember what it displays. At the 1949 annual meeting, a county means to be a part of a cooperative. extension agent gave a talk about “home freezing” that included a demonstration on how to prepare meats for a freezer.

Celebrating 75 Years of Verendrye Electric Cooperative | 94 Men gather around an old tractor driven by Delbert Krumwiede at a past annual meeting.

95 | Building a dream together VEC members remember annual meetings

It was a big day on the Norenberg (Carl) Farm when the Verendrye meeting was held in the Velva City Park. The chores seemed to get done early without any complaining! We arrived to stand in long lines for a great meal – more often than not it would be raining – but no one seemed to mind. Then it was off to the park to play while the oldsters caught up on news with friends and neighbors. The meeting was next which didn’t thrill the kids too much. Names were drawn for a bike, but I never won. As years passed, my parents died and the farm became ours and if possible we still attend Verendrye Day meetings in Minot and after all these years, my name was drawn for $500 in 2007!

--Norma Anfinson, Bismarck, ND (farm north of Granville)

Our family attended the Verendrye Electric annual picnic at Velva for a couple of years before the move to Minot at the State Fair Center. Our children were young at the time and loved going to the Verendrye picnic. The first year we attended at the State Fair Center my oldest son Jacob proclaimed “We’re at an underground picnic!” Jacob turned 16 this spring and our whole family still calls the Verendrye annual meeting the “Underground Picnic.” The last year the annual meeting was held in Velva was 1999.

-Kolette Kramer, Towner

Celebrating 75 Years of Verendrye Electric Cooperative | 96