Baker hosts Mid-Rivers annual meeting & customer appreciation

Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Inc. members gathered at the Fallon County Fairgrounds in Baker, Montana, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, for the Mid-Rivers Annual Meeting. Items of business included electing three Cooperative Trustees, informing members of the cooperative's financial performance and future plans, and awarding scholarships to area students.

Steve Zachmann, Mayor of Baker, gave the welcome speech and thanked Mid-Rivers for hosting the event in Baker. Pastor Mike Davis gave the Invocation and Benediction.

Trustees Rub Reukauf of Terry (District 7), Dane Castleberry of Ekalaka (District 8) and Allan Sevier of Glendive (District 9) were re-elected to three-year terms. At the Board of Trustees' organizational meeting held after the Annual Meeting, Dave Rice was elected President, Nick Schultz Vice President, and Charlie Ahlgren Secretary/Treasurer.

Mid-Rivers' General Manager/CEO Michael Candelaria provided an update on the financial condition of the cooperative. He reported that the Cooperative is currently in a financially strong position to serve its customers and has been proactive in positioning the Cooperative to remain strong into the future. Candelaria also gave an update on the status of the Cooperative's long-term fiber build out plan where he announced that the plan is ahead of the schedule to build fiber to as many customers as possible, sharing maps of completed and planned construction projects.

During the meeting, nine door prizes including iPads, AirPods, a Nintendo Switch, a VR headset, a DJI Drone, and cash prizes were handed out through a drawing of registered members in attendance.

Mid-Rivers awarded 16 $1,000 scholarships to qualifying students attending the meeting. These scholarships are offered to any student attending a higher education institution in the fall of 2024, whose parent or guardian is a member of the Cooperative and who has not previously received a Mid-Rivers Scholarship. Originally there were 15 scholarships available; however, the Board of Trustees made the executive decision to award a $1,000 scholarship to all 16 eligible students in attendance.

Recipients of the 2024 Annual Meeting Drawing Scholarship were Saraya Afrank, Jaiden Dulin, Taylor Gallo, Conrad Hess, Connor Higbee, Brady Hoverson, Jack Layton, Mitchel LePage, Katelyn Moberg, Brie Mullin, Riley Phipps, Cole Rost, Lorena Shaw, Christianna Wall, Alex Williams and Elisabeth Wills. Mid-Rivers Higher Education Scholarships are funded by unclaimed capital credits. Montana Law requires that after 5 years, capital credit payments that remain unclaimed be placed into a fund for educational use. Mid-Rivers has chosen to use these funds for scholarships and educational grants to members.

Following the meeting, 332 guests and community members joined Mid-Rivers for a Customer Appreciation Lunch prepared by local food trucks Bogey's BBQ, The Chef, and T's Traveling Table.