ANNUAL & DISTRICT MEETINGS
Each year, Beltrami Electric Cooperative hosts district meetings and an annual meeting for the cooperative membership. It is an opportunity for members to take part in the business meeting and connect with cooperative employees, directors and fellow members.
2021 District Meetings for Members
District meetings are held each year in districts whose directors up for re-election.District meetings for members of Beltrami Electric Cooperative will be held in June for Districts 3, 7, and 9. The meetings inform members on current issues and programs associated with the cooperative. Official business will be conducted at the district meetings, to include the nomination of a director candidate. The top two candidates as determined by popular vote will have their names on the general election ballot in August.
NOTE: Members seeking to run for the Board of Directors shall, not less than five (5) business days prior to the district meeting in which there is a director election, submit to the corporate office a completed candidate packet, as provided by the Cooperative, by which the Cooperative will verify said member's qualifications to be an eligible candidate for the director position, per the Cooperative's Bylaws. The top two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall appear on the ballot for the entire membership to vote upon. Each District Meeting begins at 7:00 pm.
If you are interested in seeking a directorship position with Beltrami Electric Cooperative and desire more information, please contact President and CEO Jared Echternach at 218-444-2540 and request a director candidate packet.
District 3 Meeting
Tuesday, June 22, 2021, 7:00 pm
St. John's Church, 27867 Irvine Ave NE, Nebish
Incumbent: Charlie Parson
District 3 include the following townships:
Beltrami County: Alaska (East & West), Buzzle, Durand, Liberty, Maple Ridge, Nebish, Roosevelt, Turtle Lake
District 7 Meeting
Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 7:00 pm
Nary Community Hall, 25895 Hubbard County 9, Bemidji
Incumbent: John Lund
District 7 include the following townships:
Beltrami County: Bemidji (Sections 25 thru 36), Frohn (Sections 19 thru 36, except 25)
Hubbard County: Farden, Hart Lake (Sections 1 thru 18), Helga
District 9 Meeting
Thursday, June 24, 2021, 7:00 pm
Lakeport Fire/Township Hall, 160 County 39 SW, Laporte
Currently held by Judy Honer/Open
District 9 include the following townships:
Cass County: Leech Lake, Otter Tail Peninsula-NW (Sections 19 thru 36), Shingobee-north, Unorganized (T143N R30W), Wilkinson (Sections 19 thru 36)
Hubbard County: Hart Lake (Sections 19 thru 36), Hendrickson, Lakeport, Steamboat River
Annual Meeting Information
81st Annual Meeting
Beltrami Electric Cooperative’s 81st Annual Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds. The business meeting will begin at 5:00 pm, and will be held at the Marilyn Shutter Stage. We invite all cooperative members to join us for the meeting and additional events throughout the fairgrounds.
Details and more information to come soon!
80th Annual Meeting Recap
Beltrami Electric Cooperative’s 80th Annual Meeting looked quite a bit different than meetings of years’ past. To ensure the safety of our members and employees due to COVID-19 and safety concerns regarding social distancing, this year’s annual meeting was held at 5:00 PM on August 12, in the community room at the cooperative’s headquarters for the limited purpose of conducting essential official cooperative business. To protect all attendees, chairs were spaced six feet apart and masks were required.
The meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance, followed by the invocation, offered by board treasurer Judy Honer. Board chair Rick Coe welcomed attendees to the meeting and introduced the cooperative’s board of directors. The meeting agenda included a financial update from Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Arlene Hogquist, as well as a cooperative update from President and CEO, Jared Echternach. There was no meal, door prizes, giveaways or guest speaker this year.
Incumbents Donald (Charlie) Perkins, Sr. (District 2) and Rick Coe (District 6) were reelected in uncontested elections. The District 4 race saw incumbent director Craig Gaasvig, who received 1,406 votes defeat candidate Valerie Wallingford who received 767 votes. In addition, the 2019 annual meeting minutes were approved by majority vote of the members.
Next year's meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 11, 2021. We look forward to a more engaged format in 2021!