Annual Meeting

2011 Annual Meeting Highlights

In a joint report to members, Manager Jason Brothen and President David Sigloh focused on the changes and challenges seen over the past year and those yet to come.  “As directors, we are learning with every meeting about new plans and decisions that need to be made to keep your cooperative moving forward, yet protecting it from risk,” President Sigloh stated.

“Over the last year, we have been working on a construction plan that will strengthen the backbone of system, most of which is 60 years old,” Brothen added. “By the end of 2011, we will have completed the current plan and begin work on a new plan.”

GUEST SPEAKERS
Members heard from three topnotch North Dakotans during this year’s annual meeting.

	Ron Harper, chief executive officer of Basin Electric Power Cooperative, talked to members about Basin Electric’s current projects and initiatives it is working on to make sure the end consumer receives quality electricity at the lowest price possible.
	Marlo Sveen, development director for the State Historical Society of North Dakota Foundation, gave members an update on the Heritage Center Expansion project currently under way. The  expanded facility will house exhibits featuring North Dakota’s most recent history, including a section devoted to cooperatives.
	Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley, whose family has roots in Burke County, spoke to members about the impact of the oil growth in the area and measures the state is taking to address these concerns. He applauded Burke-Divide Electric members for the outstanding cooperative they have built.

BYLAWS AMENDED
Members voted to amend bylaw Section 4.2 to allow members to be eligible to run for the board of directors if they reside geographically within the district and do not receive electrical services from Burke-Divide at their residence, but do receive electrical service from the cooperative at another location in the district.

Members also voted to amend bylaw Section 3.6 to realign district boundaries and number the districts rather than using names.

DIRECTORS ELECTED
Kurt Koppelsloen from Columbus was nominated from the floor and elected to fill the open seat in District 2, formerly known as the Central District. Koppelsloen replaces Perry Rosenquist, who retired from the board after serving 27 years.

Loren Johnson also retired from the board after serving 14 years. No petitions were filed and no member was nominated from the floor for this open seat in District 3, formerly the East District. Therefore, the board has appointed Jeff Dahlin from Kenmare to fill this seat. Dahlin will serve a one-year term.

THANK YOU
Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative directors and employees thank all members who attended the Cooperative’s 66th annual meeting.  We appreciate the interest you continue to show in your cooperative.  Feel free to contact your Board representative or management if you have questions, comments or conerns about YOUR cooperative.