Red River CONNECT - Fall Newsletter

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS

CONNECT

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

CHAT GPT: FRIEND OR FOE

NOTE FROM CEO

Expanding our Fiber Network.

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COMPANY

NEWS

New Hires, Retirement News, and more.

PAGE 3

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Congratulations 2023 Seniors!

PAGES 6

CHATGPT: FRIEND OR FOE

AI-assisted: what you should know.

PAGE 7

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.

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

PARENTING IN A DIGITAL AGE

Keeping kids safe in a highly digital world.

PAGES 8

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

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

Updates on current and future fiber build projects.

PAGE 10

“

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

TOM STEINOLFSON CEO/ GENERAL MANAGER

UPSTREAM @ RED RIVER COMPANY NEWS

WELCOME TO THE TEAM!

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.

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.

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

HAPPY

RETIREMENT, JON BRATON!

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.

BUSINESS SALES CONSULTANT

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.

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.

Matt Schilling

OSP Technician

Wayne Steiner Residential Sales

Sarah Larson Business Sales Consultant

Jon Braton OSP Technician

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EMBRACING THE COOPERATIVE SPIRIT 7

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.

Our commitment to democratic decision-making sets us apart. Join us in celebrating Cooperative Month by supporting local cooperatives and spreading the cooperative spirit.

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

TIM VILAND District 1 Abercrombie

WAYNE SCHINDLER District 2 Barnesville

RHONDA ERBES Vice-President, District 3 Colfax

HARLAN DEIKE President, District 4 Great Bend

GARY BOUTIETTE Secretary/Treasurer, District 5 Kent

JOE PIKARSKI District 6 Mooreton

JERRY JANSSEN District 7 Rollag

RON GERMAN District 8 Fairmount & Hankinson

JAN SCHMIT District 9 Lidgerwood & Wyndmere

ThankS FOR COMING!

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.

2023 RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS

AWARD WINNERS SCHOLARSHIP

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 studentsseeking higher education in technology, agriculture, or vocational trade - received $ 1,000 scholarships.

GENERAL SCHOLARSHIPS

TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIPS

VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP

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

Afton Aakre Hawley High School

Rumely Biewer Barnesville High School

Kaden Carlson Richland #44 High School

Hans Weinmann Richland #44 High School

Megan Taszarek Richland #44 High School

Kallie Grefsrud Fairmount High School

Wyatt Suter Barnesville High School

Abbie Skovholt Wahpeton High School

Jada Jegtvig Hawley High School

Grace Kaczynski Lidgerwood High School

Blake Miller Richland #44 High School

Ruston Kath Hankinson High School

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.

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

Ryan Wallock Network Manager

PARENTING IN AN ONLINE WORLDAND

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.

COMMON CENTS FOR THE COMMON GOOD Q2 AWARDS

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.

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.

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

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

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

Pam Krump (Colfax Exchange) presents a $500 grant to the Colfax Park Board

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

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

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.

BRECKENRIDGE CONNECTION

SOUTH WAHPETON CONSTRUCTION

NORTH WAHPETON PRE-WIRING

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.

We anticipate connecting customers late this year.

*Project Partially Funded through the 2022 MN DEED B2B Grant Program

NORTH WILKIN & RURAL CAMPBELL

CENTRAL WILKIN CONSTRUCTION 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

SIGN-UPS - OPEN!

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

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

RURAL WAHPETON & DWIGHT

SIGN-UPS - OPEN!

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.

SCHMIDT’S ADDITION & SUNTREE ACRES

SIGN-UPS - OPEN!

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

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

FALL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

PRE-WIRING

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.

*Project Partially Funded through the North Dakota ARPA Grant Program

CONSTRUCTION

SIGN-UPS - OPEN! 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 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.

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!

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

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

DIRECTORY UPDATES

Lidgerwood

642-8036

439-2528

538-4676

Leonard Mienert (218) 651-0112

Ms. Habanero’s LLC

Thrifty White Pharmacy

(701) 538-9400

642-9211

Tilted Tap Tavern (701) 439-2305

Cynthia Wiest

(701) 439-2900

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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

Wayne Schindler District 2 - Barnesville

Joe Pikarski District 6 - Mooreton

Jerry Janssen District 7 - Rollag

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.