Central Electric Cooperative hosted its 22nd Annual Meeting on Monday, Sept. 26, at the Corn Palace in Mitchell. A three-meat buffet was served by Central Catering to kick things off. Several kids had their picture taken as they dressed up like a lineworker. 

Board President Duane Wolbrink welcomed everyone to the meeting, and Pastor Richard Poppen of Fedora Endeavor Presbyterian Church gave the invocation. 

After the President’s Report, General Manager of East River Electric Cooperative, Bob Sahr, spoke on the future of our cooperatives and industry.

During the Manager’s Report, Manager Ken Schlimgen recognized the following youth program recipients: Miranda Hanson, $1,000 Basin Electric Scholarship winner; Levi Nightingale and Grace Cheeseman, $1,000 Jay Headley Memorial Scholarship winners. 

Trustees on the Operation Round-Up board were also recognized, including three trustees who reached their term limits this year: Carla Amick of Letcher, Scott Kolousek of Wessington Springs and Connie Hattervig of Carthage. New trustees will be appointed to fill the vacancies in Jerauld, Miner and Sanborn County. 

President Wolbrink recognized Director Bernetta Burghardt, as 2022 was her final year of board service. She did not run for reelection after representing Miner County for 18 years. Following the meeting, Director Donita Loudner honored Burghardt with a Native American Star Quilt to thank her for her leadership. 

The cooperative awarded several door prizes, including forty $25 energy bill credits and a number of youth prizes. Plankinton High School students Cally Faulhaber and Kris Guindon each won a $250 random drawing scholarship that was offered to any high school student in attendance at the time of the drawing.

Thank you to all who attended and participated in your cooperative’s annual meeting.