Co-Ops Vote: Ensuring Rural America Is Heard P8-9 Board Accountability Happy Thanksgiving! September 2016 FEM Electric Will Be Closed Board Meeting November 24 & 25
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NOVEMBER 2016 VOL. 56 NO. 10 Co-ops Vote: Ensuring Rural America is Heard P8-9 Board Accountability Happy Thanksgiving! September 2016 FEM Electric will be closed Board Meeting November 24 & 25. FEM Electric’s board of directors held its regular monthly meeting on September 27, 2016 in Ipswich. Frank Heinz, Jr., Larry Bowar, Gary Bachman, Gerald Haupt, and Tom Thorpe were present when the meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. General Manager/CEO Scott Moore and Director of Finance and Benefits Rhonda Tuscherer, Director of Communications and Marketing Stephanie Horst, Line Superintendent Rob Vetch, and GIS Coordinator/Engineer Jim Resmen were present. President Heinz welcomed FEM guest employee Angie Sieh to the board meeting. The board then took care of administrative business, approv- ing the minutes from the August 16, 2016 board meeting. They set Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 for the October board meeting. There were no agenda changes. Manager’s Report – Manager Scott Moore reported on a campaign to alert the public to dangers of overhead power lines. During the NRECA Region 6 meeting in Minneapolis, MN that was held Moore also reported that FEM has a new RUS Field Representa- September 21-22, 2016, FEM board member, Gary Bachman, gets tive, Tom Jones of Watertown. There was a lengthy discussion his voting credentials verified before voting on the NRECA resolution proposals. on power interruptions in certain areas of FEM Territory mostly caused by power supplier. Moore informed the board on what is Membership – The board approved the following changes: being done to resolve and what may need to be done. Moore gave Connects – Brice Cunningham, Faulkton, Lake Property; a break down on USDA Grants/REED Loans in FEM service Shawn Bukaske, Roscoe, Active Farm; and Barb Gienger, Hosmer, territory. A discussion was held on NRECA Regional meeting and Active Farm. NRECA’s new CEO. Disconnects – Irene Cunningham, Faulkton, Lake Property; Staff Reports – The member service/communication report Evan Beyers, Aberdeen, Active Farm; and Delbert Gienger, Hos- was given by Stephanie Horst, Rob Vetch gave the line depart- mer, Active Farm. ment report, Rhonda Tuscherer gave the office report, and Jim Contracts – Dakota Access, LLC, Houston, TX, five Valve Sta- Resmen reported on GIS and electrical department projects. tions and one Launch & Receiver Station. Executive Session – Executive Session was entered at 9:41 Retirements – Aman Brothers, Hosmer, Active Farm. a.m. and exited at 11:13 a.m. Motion then was made and carried Capital Credits 73-and-older- September 2016 – Two mem- to approve the FEM Board of Directors and Manager/CEO an- bers elected payouts totalling $5,199.69. nual performance appraisals, employee wage/benefit plan, and the Estates - September 2016 – Three estates totalling $749.63 Manager/CEO compensation. were approved to be paid. Resolutions, Nominations and Policies – Motion made and Legal – Attorney Vaughn Beck discussed sales tax and prop- carried to approve the Bowdle Hospital Resolution, and revisions erty plat. to Policy 527 Policy on Privacy, Confidentiality and Identity Market Rates – The preliminary 2017 market rates were re- Theft. viewed along with the market rate load history. New market rates Financial Business – The board approved the following finan- will be set at the October board meeting. cial business including reviewing August 2016 Financials: Meeting Reports – The East River board update was given by Check Register – The check register for the month of August Gary Bachman. Frank Heinz reported on the South Dakota Wind 2016 was reviewed. It contained information on checks #26828 Energy. The Board discussed the NRECA Region 6 meeting. through #26923, and all automatic withdrawals for August 2016 Safety Minutes – Board acknowledged the receipt of the Au- totaling $369,066.17. gust 9, 2016 safety meeting and August 25 employee meeting. Expenses – Director expense reports and attorney fees were Adjourn – There being no further business to come beforethe approved as submitted. board, motion carried to adjourn the meeting. 2 November 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS FEM Notice 4-H Wants Official Notice of Your Kids! Electric Publication Sign Up Now! (USPS 189-720) FEM Electric Board of Directors Frank Heinz, Jr., President Association, Gary Bachman, Vice President Larry Bowar, Secretary Gerald Haupt, Treasurer Inc. Tom Thorpe, Asst. Sec./Treasurer Vaughn Beck, Attorney CEO/General Manager Scott Moore [email protected] 4-H groups from Edmunds and McPherson counties join together at the Hiking in Hiddenwood Day Camp Management Staff on June 21, 2016. Rob Vetch, Line Superintendent Rhonda Tuscherer, Director of Finance and 4-H is the largest organization in the Benefits Jim Resmen, Engineer United States for youth ages 8-18. It helps Stephanie Horst, Director of Communications grow confident, capable, and caring youth and Marketing with life skills needed to succeed in their Editor’s e-mail: [email protected] career choices. Members learn how to work with others on projects and become leaders FEM Electric Cooperative Connections is the monthly publication for the members of FEM Electric Association, Inc., 800 5th Ave., Ipswich, SD 57451. in their communities. FEM Electric Cooperative Connections’ purpose is to provide reliable, helpful 4-H has a wide range of project areas for information to members on electric cooperative matters and better living. Subscription information: As part of their membership, FEM members youth to participate in. There are also vari- devote $1.00 from their monthly electric payments for a subscription. ous camps and judging schools that allow Nonmember subscriptions are available for $15 annually. (USPS 189-720) Periodical Postage Paid at Ipswich, SD 57451 and at additional offices. youth from across the state to meet and build friendships. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FEM Electric Cooperative Connections, Box 468, Ipswich, SD 57451-0468. If this sounds like something your child would enjoy contact your county’s extension How to contact us: office for more information. You can also FEM Electric PO Box 468 Ipswich, SD 57451 enroll online at https://sd.4honline.com. Phone: 1-800-587-5880 e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.femelectric.coop Design assistance by SDREA & TG Communications. Statement Mailing Dates FEM Electric is an equal opportunity provider and FEM Electric will be sending out statements on employer. November 29, 2016 for November’s energy and call the December 30, 2016 for December’s energy. FEM Electric office 24/7 at: 426-6891 or 1-800-587-5880 Regardless of the statement mail out date, payments are due in the office by the 9th of the following Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. month. COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • November 2016 3 Safety Tips Reader Recipes Kidsʼ Corner Safety Poster Tricks, Treats and “Call before you dig.” Safety Make Halloween Crockpot a Scream! Creations It’s the time of year to stock up on sweet treats and fi ll the Crockpot Corn Butternut Squash and Apples yard and home with decorations as ghosts, goblins and caped crusaders plan their invasion of your neighborhood. Safe Elec- 2 (16 oz.) bags frozen corn 2 T. sugar 2 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/4 cup apple cider tricity urges everyone to make sure your costumed visitors are 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 tsp. salt 1-1/2-inch chunks (about 8 cups) 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar kept safe by following some basic electrical safety guidelines. 1/4 cup melted butter 1 tsp. pepper 2 apples, such as Braeburn or Gala, 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks 1 T. pumpkin pie spice Safe Electricity suggests the following to avoid potential Combine all ingredients in crockpot. Cook on HIGH (about 4 cups) 1 tsp. salt safety hazards: setting for 2 hours or LOW for 4 hours. 1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks 1 tsp. thyme leaves • Use only lights that have been safety tested and approved Beverley Allbee, Woonsocket 1/2 cup chicken broth 1/2 cup toasted flaked coconut by Underwriters Laboratory (UL). Look for the UL label on the box and on each string. Calico Beans Place squash, apples and onion in slow cooker. Mix remaining ingredients except • Make sure extension cords are in good condition. Use only Amy Cichosz, 9 years old coconut in small bowl until well blended. Pour over squash mixture. Cover. Cook UL-approved cords rated to carry the electrical load you will Amy is the daughter of Eric and Jill Cichosz, Spearfi sh, S.D. 1-1/2 lbs. ground beef 1 can butter or lima beans 3 to 4 hours on HIGH, stirring after 2 hours. Stir before serving. Sprinkle with connect to them. They are members of Butte Electric Cooperative, Newell, S.D. 1 lb. bacon, diced 1/2 cup ketchup toasted coconut. Makes 15 (2/3-cup) servings. • Before plugging in the lights, check each string for broken 1/2 cup chopped onion 3/4 cup brown sugar sockets, frayed cords, or faulty plugs. Replace damaged strings. 1 can kidney beans 2 T. mustard Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 116, Total Fat 4g, Cholesterol 8mg, Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric coop- Sodium 222mg, Carbohydrates 19g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 1g • Keep electric cords out of high-traffi c areas. erative (address found on Page 3). If your poster is published, youʼll receive a 1 can pork and beans 1 T. vinegar • Don’t staple or nail through light strings or electrical prize. All entries must include your name, age, mailing address and the names Pictured, Cooperative Connections cords. of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged. Brown ground beef, bacon and onion; drain.