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Corn Belt Power Cooperative

WattsWatt A March 2022 | Volume 71 | Number 3

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Momentum is Building returns with large turnout

fter taking 2021 off due to safety precautions, the Momentum is Building Conference was back in session last month. Sponsored by the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Iowa, the annual two-day conference provides education and training opportunities for Iowa contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC professionals and builders. “Attendees can earn valuable CEUs while also learning about the latest trends and technologies in residential energy efficiency,” remarked Ryan Cornelius, vice president, corporate relations, Corn Belt Power Cooperative. “For more than 25 years, the Momentum is Building Conference has provided electric cooperatives and contractors an opportunity to come together to provide rural Iowans with safe, efficient and cost-effective home comfort solutions.” Nearly 200 industry professionals and electric co-op employees attended the 2022 conference in Altoona. Organized by Iowa’s electric generation and transmission cooperatives, the Momentum is Building Conference also connects Iowa’s construction industry with the local services and resources available from electric co-

MIB keynote speaker

Above | Weldon Long gave the first keynote address at Momentum is Building. Long is a successful entrepreneur, sales expert and a New York Times best selling author. He’s one of the nation’s most powerful speakers and a driven motivator. He spoke on sales and the prosperity mindset philosophies that catapulted him from desperation and poverty to a life of wealth and prosperity.

ops which serve nearly 650,000 Iowans throughout all 99 counties. New this year were sessions on cooperative careers for students and human resources best practices for contractors. Corn Belt Power employees presented these sessions. Jennifer Arndorfer, human resources specialist, conducted the human resources session. Ross Welterlen, director of energy services engineering, Matt Donald, electrical maintenance foreman,

Employees speak about cooperative careers Above | From left, Ryan Cornelius, vice president, corporate relations, Ross Welterlen, director of energy services engineering, Jennifer Arndorfer, human resources specialist and Matt Donald, electrical maintenance foreman, spoke with students in attendance about cooperative careers.

and Arndorfer sat on a panel discussing cooperative careers with students who were in attendance. “Iowa’s electric co-ops have long supported energy efficiency efforts and one of our goals is to help memberconsumers use energy wisely,” states Angela Catton, manager of member relations and development at Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative. “This conference helps us build local relationships.” Momentum is Building also gives industry exhibitors and vendors an opportunity to showcase emerging trends in residential energy efficiency that can save consumers energy and money. Attendees also have time to network and learn from one another. The 2022 opening keynote was presented by Weldon Long, a successful entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author who focused on how to generate powerful sales results through consistency.

Corn Belt Power returns money to members

t the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022, Corn Belt Power’s board of directors made decisions that impacted the bottom line of the organization’s member-cooperatives. In total, the board approved more than $8.4 million to be returned to members. Basin Electric took advantage of high 2021 commodity prices with fertilizer and by-product sales from its wholly owned subsidiary, Dakota Gasification Company, and continued operational efficiencies to post very strong operating margins. Basin Electric’s board of directors authorized a $30 million bill credit to its Class A members at its December 2021 meeting. Corn Belt Power’s portion of this bill-credit was more than $2 million, all of which was returned to member cooperatives. Corn Belt Power is also in strong financial condition. After year-end financials were complete, the Corn Belt Power board of directors voted to return $5.14 million to members as part of the cooperative’s yearly quick roll and more than $1.1 million in regular patronage payments. Those payments will be made in April. “Two of our core principles are member economic participation and democratic member control,” said Karen Berte, senior vice president, finance and administration. “Our board continues to follow these principles each year by making timely excess margin payments to our member cooperatives. Being able to do so, coupled with our ‘A’ credit ratings, indicates that Corn Belt Power is in strong financial condition. That’s due in part because of our board’s leadership, but also what our employees do on a day-to-day basis maintaining efficient operations.”

Members see return Above | Karen Berte, senior vice president, finance and administration, Corn Belt Power, discusses co-op finances with the Board of Directors.

From IEEE Std. C2-2017, "National Electrical Safety Code." © Copyright 2016 by IEEE. All rights reserved. The IEEE disclaims any responsibility or liability resulting from the placement and use in the described manner.

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Corn Belt Power annual meeting scheduled

After two years of digital annual meetings, the cooperative’s in-person event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6 at the Starlite Best Western in Fort Dodge. This year’s keynote speaker is retired Navy Seal Jason Redman. Redman joined the Navy on September 11, 1992 and began his naval career at boot camp in Orlando, Florida. Redman spent his first two years in the Navy working as an Intelligence Specialist working for and around Naval Special Warfare. During Boot Camp he had tried out and was accepted for Basic Jason Redman Underwater Demolition SEAL training (BUD/S) and he reported to BUD/S in January of 1995. He enjoyed a full year of friendly instructors, relaxing times on the beach, and endless nights under the Coronado moon before graduating with BUD/S class 202 in December of 1995. On September 13, 2007, outside of Fallujah, Iraq, Lieutenant Redman’s assault team came under heavy machine gun and small arms fire and he was severely wounded in the ensuing firefight. While recovering at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, Redman authored and hung a bright orange sign on his door, which became a statement and symbol for wounded warriors everywhere. Redman has appeared on numerous national news networks including Fox News, CBS, CNN, and CBN. He has appeared frequently on Fox and Friends and the Huckabee Show. Redman has appeared in multiple documentaries including History Channel’s, Navy SEALs, America’s Secret Warriors. He lives in Virginia with his wife Erica and three children Phoenix, Angelica, and Mackenzie. Also at this year’s annual meeting, Jerry Beck, director, and Todd Telesz, chief executive officer and general manager, Basin Electric Power Cooperative will give the Basin update.

Cooperative employees learn about blower door testing

Education, information and training is one of the seven cooperative principles and on Feb. 16, more than 10 energy services employees from across the Corn Belt Power service territory exercised that principle. Chad Reisenauer, director of community and member relations, Basin Electric, trained the group of employees on the use of a blower door and how to conduct a blower door test on a residence. The group performed the test/ training at a home in the new IGL housing development in Spencer. “We appreciate Chad coming to conduct this training,” said Ross Welterlen, director of energy services engineering, Corn Belt Power. “We want to continue to Blower door training add tools to our energy efficiency toolkits. Being proficient at conducting a blower door test is a wonderful way to help residential members at the end of the line understand how to improve efficiency.”

REC logo originated at Corn Belt Power Above | A 50-year-anniversary Rural Electric Cooperative t-shirt, right, gives historical nod to 1971 Corn Belt Power-developed REC common identification program used on vehicles, equipment and uniforms to enhance recognition of RECs in Iowa. NRECA officially adopted the project nationwide at their 1971 Dallas annual meeting.

Clothing design inspired by historical REC logo

ach year Marena Fritzler, marketing director, and Jennifer Arndorfer, human resources specialist, create a Corn Belt Power Cooperative clothing item that employees may choose to order. In January, Corn Belt Power released a throwback t-shirt design that gives a 50-yearanniversary nod to the Rural Electric Cooperative logo originally developed by Corn Belt Power and officially adopted nationwide by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association at their 1971 Dallas annual meeting. Years ago, Corn Belt Power spearheaded the design of this common REC logo and color scheme for use on cooperative vehicles, equipment and uniforms to enhance the image and recognition of RECs in Iowa. In fall of 2021, Matt Donald, electrical maintenance foreman, informed Fritzler about the 50th anniversary of the original REC logo, which he read about in, “Corn Belt: Enthusiasm Made the Difference.” Harold Severson, author, “Corn Belt: Enthusiasm Made the Difference,” noted that Corn Belt Power's common identification program originated in a carefully planned survey conducted by Corn Belt Power to determine the degree of familiarity of REC members with REC personnel in Corn Belt Power territory. Among other discoveries, the survey stressed the need to identify vehicles so they were instantly identifiable as belonging to an Iowa REC belonging to the Corn Belt Power system. The Corn Belt Power member service committee who studied and accepted the proposal, settled on yellow as the prime color with green and white stripes to provide contrast. Experts knew that yellow was a strong color and easily recognizable.

Corn Belt Power Cooperative A

1300 13th Street North • PO Box 508 Humboldt, IA 50548

On Wednesday, Feb. 16, Corn Belt Power took part in a Southwest Power Pool (SPP) load shed test. As part of this test, Corn Belt Power drilled/tested its communication plan with member-cooperatives. From left, Chris Bruening, outage coordinator, Jon Behounek, chief system operator and Joel Harklau, system operator, took part in the test. SPP periodically runs these load shed tests in order for control centers across its footprint to be prepared for future emergency events.

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Humboldt, Iowa Permit No. 32

December Touchstone Energy Volunteer Challenge winner | Kerri Mertz, executive

I Act

administrative assistant, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, donated her $100 prize drawing to the Twin Rivers Junior Pistol Club.

Above | Jena Blackett, building custodian, left; Stacy Cirks, development finance director; and Tyler Mortenson, control operator; build a balloon tower during an I Act team building exercise.

New employees introduced to cooperative culture

orn Belt Power’s newest employees participated in a training session on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Kathy Peterson, PeopleWorks, Inc., facilitated the training, which included a session on communication and another on “zapping the generation gap.” During the training, Corn Belt Power’s values were at the forefront: integrity, accountability, commitment and teamwork (I Act). Act). The group also learned about what it means to be a member and employee of an electric cooperative. This training is given periodically and all new Corn Belt Power employees take part.

Fritzler presents to Regional Members

arena Fritzler, marketing director, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, presented local ad awareness survey results to Touchstone Energy Regional Members, Feb. 2. Results indicate members who are aware of Touchstone Energy Cooperative advertising give overall higher member satisfaction scores. Fritzler also introduced Corn Belt Power's newest distribution co-op safety campaign, "Why I Work Safe," currently in our co-ops' digital advertising mix.

Corn Belt Power Cooperative

WattsWatt

Watts Watt is published monthly for employees and associates of Corn Belt Power Cooperative, 1300 13th St. North, Humboldt, Iowa 50548-0508. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Copyright 2022 Kenneth H. Kuyper, Executive Vice President and General Manager Ryan Cornelius, Editor; Vice President, Corporate Relations; CCC Marena V. Fritzler, Marketing Director; CCC

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