Red River CONNECT - Fall Newsletter

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS

CONNECT FEATURED STORY:

CO-OP MONTH Supporting Local Cooperatives PAGE 4

2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

PAGE 6

CHAT GPT: FRIEND OR FOE

PAGE 7

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

PAGE 10

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS - VOLUME 8 - ISSUE 3 - FALL 2023

RED RIVER

CONTENTS / NEWS

W W W.REDRIVERCOMM.COM

NOTE FROM CEO

COMPANY NEWS

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

CHATGPT: FRIEND OR FOE

PARENTING IN A DIGITAL AGE

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

Expanding our Fiber Network.

New Hires, Retirement News, and more.

Congratulations 2023 Seniors!

AI-assisted: what you should know.

Keeping kids safe in a highly digital world.

Updates on current and future fiber build projects.

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PAGES 6

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PAGES 8

PAGE 10

A LETTER FROM

THE GENERAL MANAGER As the vibrant hues of autumn settle upon us, I am pleased to share our company’s latest updates and progress in this fall newsletter. This season, we are proud to celebrate Cooperative Month this coming October.

CO-OP month gives us a great reminder to pause and reflect on the core of our business philosophy. We are committed to fostering strong partnerships with local cooperatives and small businesses, ensuring mutual growth and prosperity. We know that by working together, our communities will feel a positive impact.

In line with our dedication to bringing the best to our cooperative members, current customers and communities, I am thrilled to announce the longawaited fiber internet expansion into new areas.

cutting-edge technology, and it brings us immense joy to witness this dream becoming a reality.

Thanks to grant programs like the Minnesota Border-to-Border program and the North Dakota Broadband Grants, we have accelerated our fiber expansion projects, reaching more homes and businesses than ever. These grants are instrumental in overcoming financial barriers and allowing us to extend our network into underserved areas. Check out page 10 for updates on our current and future build projects.

We appreciate your ongoing support and patience as the Red River team works tirelessly to build and support a digitally inclusive community that thrives on innovation and connectivity.

- Tom Steinolfson, CEO/GM

For many years, we have tirelessly worked to serve these regions with 2

TOM STEINOLFSON

CEO/ GENERAL MANAGER

“We are committed to fostering strong partnerships with local cooperatives and small businesses, ensuring mutual growth and prosperity.”

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | FALL 2023

UPSTREAM @ RED RIVER

BUSINESS SALES CONSULTANT

COMPANY NEWS WELCOME TO THE TEAM!

Matt Schilling OSP Technician

CONNECT

In May, Matt Schilling joined Red River Communications as an Outside Plant Technician. Matthew comes to us with similar experiences from both DRN & ReadiTech Solutions. Matt’s telecommunications industry knowledge has made him an immediate asset to our team.

Another new face around Red River Communications is Sarah Larson.

Sarah has been working with Red River as a Sales Consultant.

Sarah’s 20+ years of industry experience has been priceless working with businesses through our cooperative and expansion territories of Wahpeton, Breckenridge and Wilkin County.

Wayne Steiner joined the team this past June as a part-time residential sales representative.

Wayne’s educational background makes him a perfect fit to help our new customers find the correct services to meet their needs.

Wayne Steiner Residential Sales

Welcome to the team, Matt & Wayne. You are both fantastic additions to Red River Communications.

HAPPY RETIREMENT, JON BRATON! Jon Braton OSP Technician

After more than 27 years at Red River Communications, Jon Braton retired this past July.

Jon was on the front lines as an outside network technician, installing service and working to resolve troubles or issues customers were experiencing. Jon’s smiling face was known primarily to our members in the Rollag and Barnesville, MN exchanges.

Jon joined the company in 1995 to install small-dish satellite service - now known as DIRECTV - for the Cooperative’s subsidiary.

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Sarah Larson Business Sales Consultant

Eventually, he transitioned to work on telephone and broadband services. His local community connections and day-today interactions were invaluable as Jon kept a watch for new home construction.

Nobody can replace Jon, but one of several other technicians will now be assigned to handle service orders and trouble reports as needed in Minnesota.

A lifelong resident of the Barnesville area, Jon retired in July and has various plans for his retirement. Some involve side jobs, traveling, relaxing and spending time with his grandchildren. Jon also has projects on his wife Wanda’s honey-do list until she retires.

Thank you, Jon, for your service and dedication to Red River.

Your years of knowledge, experience and friendliness are appreciated and will be truly missed.

RED RIVER

CO-OP MONTH

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RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TIM VILAND

WAYNE SCHINDLER

RHONDA ERBES

HARLAN DEIKE

GARY BOUTIETTE

JOE PIKARSKI

JERRY JANSSEN

RON GERMAN

District 1 Abercrombie

EMBRACING THE COOPERATIVE SPIRIT

District 2 Barnesville

Vice-President, District 3 Colfax

President, District 4 Great Bend

OCTOBER IS COOPERATIVE MONTH, a time to celebrate the achievements of cooperative organizations like Red River Communications.

As a telecommunications cooperative, we’ve been serving Abercrombie, Barnesville (rural), Colfax, Great Bend, Fairmount, Hankinson, Kent, Lidgerwood, Mooreton, Rollag, Wyndmere, and surrounding areas for 72 years. We’re more than just a business, we’re a community united by shared values and goals.

Secretary/Treasurer, District 5 Kent

District 6 Mooreton

Our commitment to democratic decision-making sets us apart.

Join us in celebrating Cooperative Month by supporting local cooperatives and spreading the cooperative spirit.

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COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES 1. Voluntary and Open Membership 2. Democratic Control 3. Members’ Economic Participation 4. Autonomy and Independence 5. Education, Training, and Information 6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives 7. Concern for Community

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District 7 Rollag

District 8 Fairmount & Hankinson

JAN SCHMIT

District 9 Lidgerwood & Wyndmere

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | FALL 2023

S k n a h T FOR COMING!

CONNECT

Thank you to everyone who attended our Customer Appreciation Picnic on August 9th! It was a wonderful evening celebrating with good food, great friends and lots of fun.

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RED RIVER

SCHOLARSHIPS

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2023 RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS

Red River Communications is pleased to announce the recipients of 12 college scholarships for 2023.

Of the 27 applications submitted by exceptional high school seniors, eight received $ 1,000 general college scholarship. Four additional students seeking higher education in technology, agriculture, or vocational trade - received $ 1,000 scholarships.

GENERAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Afton Aakre

Rumely Biewer

Kaden Carlson

Kallie Grefsrud

Hawley High School

Barnesville High School

Richland #44 High School

Fairmount High School

Jada Jegtvig

Abbie Skovholt

Wyatt Suter

Hans Weinmann

Hawley High School

Wahpeton High School

Barnesville High School

Richland #44 High School

VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP

Blake Miller

Megan Taszarek

Ruston Kath

Richland #44 High School

Richland #44 High School

Hankinson High School

TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIPS

Grace Kaczynski Lidgerwood High School

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RED RIVER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT REDRIVERCOMM.COM/SCHOLARSHIPS 6

TECH TALK

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | FALL 2023

CONNECT

ChatGPT: FRIEND OR FOE?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming technology and our lives, with Chatbot GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), aka CHATGPT, being a notable innovation.

While AI, including CHATGPT, offers numerous advantages, concerns about drawbacks and ethical implications persist.

The Friend: Enhancing Human Experience CHATGPT and AI have revolutionized customer service, enabling businesses to engage with customers 24/7 and provide instant support.

AI-powered virtual assistants like CHATGPT simplify daily tasks and improve productivity, becoming integral to individuals’ lives.

Additionally, AI propels advancements in medical research, finance, and other industries, leading to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.

The Foe: Ethical Concerns AI and CHATGPT raise ethical concerns, primarily regarding data privacy. Extensive user data is required for AI systems, raising questions about how companies handle and protect this information.

There’s also concern about AI perpetuating biases and misinformation if trained on biased data. Responsible use and mitigation of biases are crucial to ensuring a fair and inclusive environment.

Another concern is AI-driven automation potentially displacing human jobs, necessitating a balance between AI implementation and job preservation.

The Balance: Responsible AI Usage Maximizing AI’s benefits while minimizing negative consequences requires responsible AI usage.

Developers must prioritize ethics during design, ensuring transparency, fairness, and privacy protection.

Companies should set clear guidelines for their AI applications to uphold ethical standards.

Fostering AI education among the public empowers individuals to make informed decisions about AI usage and demand accountability from developers and companies.

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Ryan Wallock Network Manager

A NOTE FROM YOUR NETWORK MANAGER: AI technology isn’t new per se, but its recent wide-scale adoption has radically changed how we use it.

Here it is - the article to the left was 100% written with ChatGPT. Pretty convincing, isn’t it?

AI-assisted writing tools are quickly becoming mainstream.

ChatGPT, Grammarly, and even Microsoft Word all offer ways to create and enhance writing.

I wanted to address this topic in this newsletter to raise awareness that, like most technology, it isn’t all good or all bad.

I’d embrace this new technology with a sense of optimistic caution. Need a list of questions for your next trivia night?

ChatGPT makes quick work of it!

ChatGPT will even write poetry.

Beware the temptation to use maliciously.

Remember to be a responsible digital citizen and enjoy.

-Ryan Wallock

RED RIVER

PARENTAL CONTROLS

W W W.REDRIVERCOMM.COM

PARENTING IN AN ONLINE WORLD AND HOW TO MAKE IT EASIER. Most parents agree that parenting is challenging, even under the best circumstances. But with new websites, apps, and other online entertainment and distractions cropping up seemingly every day—and kids growing up with devices in their hands, being exposed to more and more of it—parenting in an online world can feel overwhelming. Consider these numbers: •

Studies have shown that 80% of parents believe technology has made parenting harder, while 86% believe it has accelerated their children’s growth. Additionally, over 50% of parents in the US worry about their teenagers accessing explicit content, social media distractions, and other issues such as bullying, anxiety, and depression.

•

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this problem, with children spending more time online than ever before. A recent study revealed that 82% of American parents are concerned about their children’s screen time.

In the UK, a study found that 45% of parents surveyed were worried about their children’s gaming habits.

While there is no perfect solution to make parenting easier, tools like ExperienceIQ, included with our ULTIMATE FiberFASTTM WIFI, can help address some of these concerns.

With ExperienceIQ, you can • Limit your kids’ access to individual websites and apps.

You can deny access to certain games, or set time limits or specific times of day that they can be used • Set content filters so your children are protected from explicit content. Filters can be applied to any internetenabled device, including cell phones and Smart TVs • Set limits on apps or block certain content on social media Parenting is good, hard work. With ULTIMATE FiberFASTTM WIFI and ExperienceIQ, parents can set boundaries for their kids’ online activity and protect them from potential dangers.

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ULTIMATE FiberFASTTM WIFI - Only $14.95 / mo.

Download the Red River Connect App and call us to upgrade to FiberFAST Ultimate WIFI for only $14.95 / per month!

COMMON CENTS

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | FALL 2023

CONNECT

COMMON CENTS FOR THE COMMON GOOD Q2 AWARDS

Pam Krump (Colfax Exchange) presents a $500 grant to the Colfax Park Board Four organizations are the latest recipients of Common Cents funds:

RICHLAND WILKIN KINSHIP – $500 FOR YOUTH MENTORING SHIRTS ABERCROMBIE FIRE DISTRICT - $1,000 FOR HAND TOOLS COLFAX PARK BOARD - $500 TO PAINT BASKETBALL COURT RED RIVER SPORTSMEN’S CLUB - $1,000 FOR MOORETON TRAP RANGE REPAIRS/UPGRADES Want to contribute to Common Cents? For less than a $1 a month, you too can provide support and assistance for the organizations that benefit our local communities. Round up your Red River bill to the next full dollar and know you are doing good for our communities.

Mike Miranowski accepts a check for a $1,000 a Grant to the Aber Fire Department for hand tools.

Shelly Wolf (Mooreton Exchange) presents a $1,000 Grant to the Mooreton Sportsman Club.

JOIN THE COMMON CENTS BOARD! The Common Cents board meets quarterly to screen & approve donation requests and allocate funds according to organizations’ by-laws. Next winter, several new directors will be appointed from the Kent, Lidgerwood/Wyndmere, Barnesville and Great Bend districts.

If you are a member of Red River Communications living in one of these districts and are interested in serving on the board, please contact Donna at our office or email donnathiel@redrivercomm.com.

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The Common Cents program has awarded nearly $224,000 to over 135 community organizations and individuals since it began in 2008.

APPLYING FOR A GRANT? redrivercomm.com/about/ common-cents

Applications Due Quarterly: March 1, June 1, Sept. 1, Dec. 1

Terri Tschakert (Kent) presents R-W Kinship a $500 Grant

RED RIVER

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

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CONSTRUCTION UPDATES Our crews are busy bringing our FiberFAST network to multiple new communities. Check out the progress updates on our projects below. For more details, maps & updates, go to redrivercomm.com/fiber-projects.

CENTRAL WILKIN

BRECKENRIDGE

SOUTH WAHPETON

NORTH WAHPETON

CONSTRUCTION

CONNECTION

CONSTRUCTION

PRE-WIRING

SIGN-UPS - OPEN!

SIGN-UPS - OPEN!

SIGN-UPS - OPEN!

SIGN-UPS - OPEN!

Crews will start installing mainline duct & cable in central Wilkin County in the next few weeks.

Pre-wire appointments are almost wrapped up for those signed up for services.

Our installation technicians will begin connecting customers to our fiber network in September.

We are excited to announce the addition of 230 locations in North Wahpeton to our 2023 build season!

Service is ready to use as soon as install appointments are complete.

Fiber is being installed throughout the designated build area.

Service drops will be extended to those who signed up, and a prewire appointment will take place. Installs will tentatively begin late this year.

RURAL WAHPETON & DWIGHT

SCHMIDT’S ADDITION & SUNTREE ACRES

FALL

We anticipate connecting customers late this year. *Project Partially Funded through the 2022 MN DEED B2B Grant Program

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

NORTH WILKIN & RURAL CAMPBELL PRE-WIRING PLANNING SIGN-UPS - OPEN! Our team is working on permitting, engineering & planning. Construction will start in Spring 2024. *Project Partially Funded through the 2023 MN DEED B2B Grant Program

Pre-wire appointments are now being scheduled. Connections to the fiber network will begin late this year.

CONSTRUCTION

SIGN-UPS - OPEN!

SIGN-UPS - OPEN!

It is finally happening!

Work will begin this fall on a small portion of this project. The remainder will start in the spring of 2024. Locations will be connected to the fiber network in the fall of 2024.

Fiber is being installed throughout the designated build area.

Service drops will be extended to those who signed up, and a prewire appointment will take place.

*Project Partially Funded through the North Dakota ARPA Grant Program

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Installs will tentatively begin in the middle of October 2023.

Do you have construction you would like completed this year?

Call our office at 701-553-8309 to get on the construction list now if you need fiber installed before freeze-up this year.

If we receive your construction request after September 30th, Red River Communications can not guarantee project completion in 2023.

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | FALL 2023

CAPITAL CREDITS

RETURNING

MONEY BACK TO YOU!

CAPITAL CREDIT CHECKS & BILL CREDITS Red River Rural Telephone Association (Red River Communications) is a telecommunications cooperative owned by its active members residing in the cooperative area. They currently subscribe to phone, internet, TV, and cellular services.

Members and part-owners of the Cooperative are entitled to receive money back through Capital Credit Retirements. Starting in early September, members may see a bill credit on their account; if the amount exceeds $100, you will receive a check in the mail.

QUESTIONS? Call 701-553-8309 or visit redrivercomm.com/capitalcredits to learn more about the capital credit process. As you read, remember one thing: the more Red River Communications’ services members subscribe to, the larger the allocation of capital credits will be!

CONNECT

Fall 2023 Volume 8, Issue 3 The Red River Communications CONNECT newsletter is published quarterly for our members. It is distributed freeof-charge to our members and customers in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Harlan Deike President District 4 - Great Bend Rhonda Erbes Vice-President District 3 - Colfax Gary Boutiette Secretary/Treasurer District 5 - Kent Tim Viland District 1 - Abercrombie

UNCLAIMED CAPITAL CREDITS We’re trying to locate former Cooperative members with capital credits due to them. See a list of unclaimed capital credits at: redrivercomm.com/capitalcredits

Wayne Schindler District 2 - Barnesville

If you have information about anybody on this list, please call our office at 701-553-8309 or email support@redrivercomm.com

Joe Pikarski District 6 - Mooreton Jerry Janssen District 7 - Rollag

DIRECTORY UPDATES NAME

Lloyd Andeen Brewtiful Day Coffee and Tea Dakota Chiropractic H & R Block Ardeen & Joe Haas Andrew Harles Howco LLC Tom & Linda Jones Lidgerwood Bar & Lounge Leonard Mienert Ms. Habanero’s LLC Thrifty White Pharmacy Tilted Tap Tavern Cynthia Wiest

NUMBER

RESID/BUS

CITY

(218) 643-9146 Residence (701) 242-7001 Business (701) 642-5600 Business (701) 642-8924 Business (701) 538-4110 Residence (701) 538-4479 Residence (701) 642-8036 Business (701) 439-2528 Residence (701) 538-4676 Business (218) 651-0112 Residence (701) 538-9400 Business (701) 642-9211 Business (701) 439-2305 Business (701) 439-2900 Residence

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Breckenridge Hankinson Wahpeton Wahpeton Lidgerwood Lidgerwood Wahpeton Wyndmere Lidgerwood Breckenridge Lidgerwood Wahpeton Wyndmere Wyndmere

Ron German District 8 - Fairmount/Hankinson Jan Schmit District 9 - Lidgerwood/ Wyndmere Red River Communications 510 Broadway | PO Box 136 Abercrombie, ND 58001 7925 180th Ave SE Wahpeton, ND 58075 Questions? Service issues?

Call 866-553-8309 RED RIVER CONNECT is produced by the Red River Communications Team.

Contributing writers include: Kari Kleingartner, Donna Thiel & Ryan Wallock.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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PO Box 136 | 510 Broadway Abercrombie, ND 58001

Does your TV service cover all your favorite LOCAL sports teams?

FALL RED RIVER DIGITAL TV DOES! SPORTS ARE BACK! Whether it’s high school sports on 3 Border Sports Network & BEK Sports, MN Twins & Timberwolves on Bally Sports, UND Hockey on Midco Sports, NDSU Football coverage on ABC, and the Minnesota Vikings on Fox & the NFL Network,

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

Call 701-553-8309 or visit REDRIVERCOMM.COM/TV to get started.

All names, likenesses, and logos are copyright of their respective owners.

LOCATIONS & OFFICE HOURS

510 Broadway, Abercrombie 7925 180th Ave SE, Wahpeton Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Wahpeton closed Noon - 1pm)

Your FiberFASTTM Internet Provider

24/7 HELP DESK

BILL PAY

Need assistance?

We’re here 24/7 to help you!

866-553-8309

No added fees! Online or by phone.

855-386-9905 redrivercomm.com

redrivercomm.com