2011 Annual Meeting

Mor-Gran-Sou Holds 64th

Members of Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, Inc., met at the Pavilion of Prairie Knights Casino and Resort north of Fort Yates on July 15 to conduct their business at the cooperative's 64th annual meeting. This year's theme was "Resolve of the membership."

The afternoon began with registration from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Prior to a delicious banquet served at 6 p.m., a solemn prayer was offered by Mor-Gran-Sou Board Director Vernard Frederick. Sitting Bull College Vice President of Academics Dr. Koreen Ressler provided a warm welcome to the members.

Chairman Dave Archambault II dropped the gavel at approximately 7 p.m. and the business meeting was underway. This year, Mor-Gran-Sou members were asked to vote for three board directors: one for Grant County, one for the Mandan Area, and one Sioux County position. Incumbents Casey Wells, Carson; Bob J. Leingang, Mandan; and Joe Dunn, Fort Yates, retained their positions on the board. Wells is the Grant County representative, Leingang is the Mandan Area representative, and Dunn is the Sioux County representative, with each director fulfilling a three-year term. We thank Sara Meier, Carson, and Karmen Siirtola, Mandan, for campaigning to serve their electric cooperative.

The cooperative, dedicated to the development of young leaders in the area, then recognized four scholarship winners during the business meeting, including Kenneth Bahm, Mandan; Taylor Friesz, New Salem; Alex Koppy, Mandan; and Jared Wolf, Glen Ullin. The teenagers competed for and received a Basin Electric Power Cooperative/ Mor-Gran-Sou Electric scholarship award in the amount of $500 to further their education as they attend college this fall. With the exception of Taylor Friesz, who was unable to attend the meeting because of another commitment, each recipient offered a few words of thanks for the scholarship.

In 2011, Bernae Hertz of Carson participated in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. Director Geiger recognized Hertz at this year's annual meeting and thanked her for representing Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative and North Dakota. Bernae addressed the audience offering her gratitude for the experience of traveling to Washington, D.C., and gave the audience a sampling of what she experienced during her trip. Hertz and other delegates from across the nation learned from and about each other while participating in events that showcase our nation's rich history, U.S. government, the cooperative philosophy and rural electrification.

Alliance Co-Managers Donald Franklund and Clayton Hoffman captured this year's theme in their interesting and informative report to the membership. Franklund included a recap of the January and April 2010 storms and touched on the 2011 flooding along the Missouri River and its impact. Hoffman also noted Mor-Gran-Sou has received word from Basin Electric Power Cooperative that a power cost rate adjustment will go into effect October 2011. Members will receive more information on the rate adjustment in the upcoming months. Finally, Chief Financial Officer Travis Kupper presented the financial report to the membership.

Directly following the annual meeting, the board of directors held its reorganization meeting. Dave Archambault II will continue to serve as the board chairman. Leland "Judge" Barth was elected to serve as vice chairman, and Pam Geiger retained the secretary-treasurer position. These officers will serve a one-year term.

The board of directors and staff of Mor-Gran-Sou wish to thank the members for participating in the 64th annual meeting of the membership, and look forward to meeting its members' electrical needs in the future.