Dakota Electric Board of Directors held a special meeting on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, where a motion was made and carried to reopen the application period for the 2024 Annual Election specific to District 3, Seat 2.

At the end of 2022, District 3 Seat 2 became vacant due to the passing of director William (Bill) Holton. In adherence with Dakota Electric bylaws and policies, director Cyndee Fields was appointed by the board of directors to fill this vacancy during their regular monthly meeting on July 27, 2023. District 3 Seat 2 must also be up for the 2024 Annual Election in adherence with the Minnesota State Statute 308A.315 Filling Vacancies. 

Sec. 22a.  [308A.315] [FILLING VACANCIES.]

If a director’s position is vacant, the board may appoint a member of the cooperative to fill the director’s position until the next regular or special members’ meeting.  At the next regular or special members’ meeting, the members must elect a director to fill the unexpired term of the vacant director’s position.

Furthermore, District 3 Seat 2 has one year remaining in its three-year term and will be up for its regular termed election in 2025.

Members interested in seeking election for District 3, Seat 2 should visit www.dakotaelectric.com/about-us/annual-meeting-election for more information. All interested candidates must apply via the application link on the webpage. Incumbent director Cyndee Fields has indicated she will be running.

The application link was made available on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. Completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. To be eligible for the ballot, all candidates are required to interview with the Nominating Committee on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.

Questions can be sent to Dakota Electric’s Director of Executive Services Melissa Cherney at mcherney@dakotaelectric.com or 651-463-6252.

Dakota Electric Association is excited to announce an incredible opportunity for area students to win an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. from June 18 – 23, 2024. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is part of the National Rural Electric Youth Tour, and Dakota Electric is calling on all eligible students to apply.

Students who are currently enrolled as sophomores, juniors, or seniors and reside within Dakota Electric’s service territory are eligible to participate in this amazing opportunity. Five lucky students will be selected to embark on an unforgettable journey to the nation’s capital, exploring its rich history and engaging with influential leaders.

To apply for this extraordinary trip, students can visit Dakota Electric’s website and fill out the application. The deadline for submission is February 22, 2024, so interested students should act promptly to secure their chance.

To complete the application, students must include a letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, or youth organization leader. This requirement ensures that applicants are recognized for their dedication, leadership, and potential to make a positive impact. Additionally, students must be available for in-person interviews on March 19 or 21.

Youth Tour offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to broaden their horizons, gain valuable insights, and forge lifelong memories. By participating in this immersive experience, students will have the chance to explore iconic landmarks, engage in interactive educational activities, and connect with peers from across the country.

Dakota Electric Association is committed to empowering the youth in their community and providing them with unique opportunities for growth and development. By offering this all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., Dakota Electric aims to inspire and motivate students to become active participants in shaping the future.

Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to win a trip to Washington, D.C.! Apply now and embark on an unforgettable adventure that will leave a lasting impact.

Please direct questions to Community Relations Director, Peggy Johnson at (651) 463-6110 or (612) 978-4612, or email pjohnson@dakotaelectric.com.

Dakota Electric is excited to announce the launch of its annual American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey. The survey aims to gather valuable feedback from customers to further enhance the quality of service provided.

As a member-owned electric cooperative, Dakota Electric is committed to delivering exceptional service and meeting the evolving needs of its members. The ACSI survey provides an opportunity for customers to share their experiences and provide valuable insights that will help shape the cooperative’s future initiatives.

Members can click here to participate in the ACSI survey. The survey is designed to be short and user-friendly, taking only a few minutes to complete. Dakota Electric encourages all members to take part and share their thoughts on various aspects of the cooperative’s services.

“We value our members’ opinions and strive to continuously improve our services based on their feedback,” said Ryan Hentges, President and CEO at Dakota Electric. “The ACSI survey allows us to gain a deeper understanding of how satisfied our members are with our service.”

Dakota Electric has a long-standing commitment to member satisfaction and engagement. By actively seeking feedback through initiatives like the ACSI survey, the cooperative aims to ensure that its services align with the expectations of its members. The insights gathered from the survey will be carefully analyzed and used to identify areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing the overall member experience.

Members are encouraged to participate in the ACSI survey and rate how satisfied they are with Dakota Electric’s services. The cooperative looks forward to receiving valuable feedback and continuing to provide reliable and affordable electricity to its members.

Dakota Electric is pleased to announce the retirement of $2.6 million in capital credits. This year, the board of directors approved the return of the remaining 2002, 2003, and 2004 allocations, as well as 60% of the 2005 allocation, to its members.

Capital credits, which represent members’ ownership in the cooperative, are derived from annual profits. These credits are allocated based on electricity usage and are reinvested to reduce borrowing, ultimately keeping rates low for Dakota Electric’s members. The cooperative has set a goal to retire these credits on a 15-year rotation by 2025, as approved by the board of directors.

Members who purchased electricity from Dakota Electric between 2002 and 2005 can expect to receive a check in the mail this month. The cooperative encourages members to keep an eye out for their checks, which will be arriving soon.

“Dakota Electric is proud to return these capital credits to our valued members,” said Ryan Hentges, President and CEO of Dakota Electric. “As a member-owned cooperative, we prioritize the financial well-being of our members and strive to provide reliable and affordable electricity. Returning capital credits is just one way we fulfill our commitment to our members.”

To learn more about capital credits and how they benefit members, visit Dakota Electric’s website at www.dakotaelectric.com/about-us/capital-credits.

Interested Director Candidates

In adherence with Dakota Electric bylaws and policies, an annual election is held each year for those seats up for election. There are twelve three-year term director seats on the Dakota Electric Board. Each year one seat in each of the four districts is up for election. Any eligible member may seek election in the district in which they reside.

Members interested in seeking election for a director seat should visit our Annual Meeting Election page for more information. All interested candidates must apply via the application link on the webpage.

The application link will be available on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. To be eligible for the ballot, all candidates are required to interview with the Nominating Committee on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. These interviews may take place early afternoon or early evening.

Nominating Committee

Dakota electric is seeking interested members to volunteer to help be part of our annual election process by serving on the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee serves as an integral part of our annual election process by interviewing director candidate applicants and helping to determine those qualified to be placed on the election ballot for 2024.

Members interested in serving should visit our Annual Meeting Election page for more information. All interested volunteers must submit their request to serve via the application link on the webpage. The application link will be available on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. All requests to serve must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. All volunteers must be available to interview director candidate applicants on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. These interviews may take place early afternoon or early evening, and all serving committee members are required to be available for all candidate interviews.

Committee appointments are selected at random. Two committee members and one alternate committee member will be appointed to represent each district. Member volunteers will be notified of the outcome following the board meeting held on January 25, 2024. Those who serve on the Nominating Committee will receive a stipend for their time.

For election related questions, please contact Melissa Cherney at mcherney@dakotaelectric.com or 651-463-6252.