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2010 Annual Meeting

Mor-Gran-Sou Holds 63rd Annual Meeting

Members of Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, Inc., met at the Pavilion of Prairie Knights Casino and Resort north of Fort Yates on July 16 to conduct their business at the cooperative’s 63rd annual meeting. This year’s theme was, “We stood tall when the poles began to fall.”

The afternoon began with registration from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Following registration, cowboy poet and humorist Rodney Nelson of Almont entertained more than 680 guests. Prior to a delicious banquet served at 6 p.m., a solemn prayer was offered by Pastor Rose Trenbeath. Standing Rock Tribal Chairman Charlie Murphy provided a warm welcome to the members.

Chairman Mark Doll dropped the gavel at approximately 7:15 p.m. Prior to the business meeting, guest speaker Rep. Earl Pomeroy addressed the membership and talked about Congresses’ lack of action in approving federal funds for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He assured Mor-Gran-Sou members that he understood the importance of FEMA picking up 75 percent of the tab from the April 2 storm damage, and would do what he could to expedite action in Congress.

During the business meeting, Alliance Co-Managers Donald Franklund and Clayton Hoffman expanded on the storm coverage in an informative report to the membership, which included explaining the costs of the January and April storm damage. Accompanied by the co-mangers’ presentation, the membership watched a video which captured the annual meeting’s “standing tall” theme, with powerful footage encompassing the two storms. Dale Kuntz then presented the financial report to the membership. Also during the business meeting, Jeff Striegel, a member of this year’s Nominating Committee, reported on the activities of the Nominating Committee.

Mor-Gran-Sou members were then asked to vote for three board directors: one for Grant County, one for Morton County and one for the Mandan-area position. Incumbents Vernard Frederick, Flasher, and Pam Geiger, Mandan, retained their positions on the board. Frederick is the Grant County representative and Geiger is the Morton County representative. Leland “Judge” Barth, Mandan, is a newly elected director to serve the Mandan area. He replaces Keith Landeis, who chose not to seek reelection.

Dedicated to the development of young leaders in the area, the cooperative then recognized four scholarship winners during the business meeting including Heidi Hintz, Flasher; Desiree’ Lennie, New Salem; Nicholas Miller, Flasher; and Vanessa Stump, Mandan. The teenagers competed for and received a Basin Electric Power Cooperative/Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative scholarship award in the amount of $500 to further their education as they attend college this fall.

In 2010, Samantha Lawson of Flasher participated in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. Director Geiger recognized Lawson at this year’s annual meeting and thanked her for representing Mor-Gran-Sou and North Dakota. Because of a personal commitment, Lawson could not attend this year’s annual meeting, but she did make a video message which was presented to the membership. On the Youth Tour, Lawson 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.

Prior to the close of the business meeting, the cooperative gave away door prizes to voting members in attendance including gift certificates, Medora musical tickets, miscellaneous electrical appliances and two star quilts. Those winning a $25 electric bill credit gift certificate included Gordon Bopp, New Salem; Shirley Dykshoorn, Fargo; Gerard Hegstad, Mandan; Mildred Iszler, Shields; Robert John, New Salem; Ruben Kovar, Flasher; Mike Leintz, Raleigh; Myron Loeb, Raleigh; Leland Olsen, Mandan; Mary Nehl, Carson; Reginald Pahl, New Leipzig; David Stockert, Mandan; Nick Thomas, Mandan; Robert Waliser, Selfridge; and James Walton, Mandan. Audrey Wentland, Mandan, won a pair of tickets to the Medora musical. Phillip Schlatter, Bismarck, won an extension cord. Richard Bahm, Mandan, won a cordless hand vacuum. Ronald Peltz, New Salem, won an alarm clock. Richard Dietrich, Mandan, won a cordless drill. Duane Hellman, Mandan, won a table lamp. Gene Wells, Carson, won an extension cord. Ted Riehl, Flasher, won a toaster. Ron Rugland, Mandan, won a box fan. Mike Miller, Mandan, won a grill. Larry Friesz, Mandan, won an electric weed trimmer. Those members winning the final grand prize star quilts included Donovan Thiel, Bismarck, and Randy Volk, Shields.

The board of directors held its reorganization meeting at Flasher headquarters on July 23. Mark Doll will continue to serve as the board chairman. Vern Frederick was elected to serve as vice chairman, and Pam Geiger retained the secretary-treasurer position.

The board of directors and staff of Mor-Gran-Sou thank their members for participating in the 63rd annual meeting of the membership and look forward to meeting their electrical needs in the future.

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