Red River Communications CONNECT - 2024 Summer Newsletter

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS

CONNECT FEATURED STORY:

2024

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PAGE 4-5

ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

PAGES 6-8

COMMON CENTS AWARDS

PAGE 9

SPAM! AVOIDING EMAIL SCAMS

PAGE 10

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS - VOLUME 9 - ISSUE 2 - SUMMER 2024

RED RIVER

CONTENTS / NEWS

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COMPANY NEWS

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

ANNUAL MEETING

COMMON CENTS AWARDS

AVOID EMAIL SCAMS

SUMMER SAFETY

Retirement news, and milestone work anniversary.

Meet the 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Recap of the 72nd Annual Meeting.

Common Cents grant recipients.

Keeping your information safe from scams.

Arlo and RRC have you covered.

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PAGE 4-5

PAGE 6-8

PAGE 9

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BACK PAGE

A LETTER FROM

THE GENERAL MANAGER The weather in the Red River Valley never ceases to throw us curve balls.

What started as one of the driest springs on record quickly turned into fields flooded with water. Like many farmers and ag-based businesses, rainfall affects our construction crews and fiber build schedules.

Even though our fiber installation projects for 2024 are slightly delayed, we are still on track to finish not one but four large fiber broadband projects by the end of the year. These projects will provide over 1,000 residents and businesses with the best broadband available today. Thank you to all the dedicated Red River employees for making this possible.

WORKING AT RED RIVER Expanding our fiber network comes with the challenge of having a skilled staff to support it. Currently, Red River is seeking dedicated individuals to join our team.

If you’ve ever thought about a career change, now is a great time to join our team at Red River Communications. We offer more than just a job - we provide a fun, hands-on work environment. As a member of our team, you will enjoy a comprehensive health and insurance package, excellent PTO schedules, and complimentary Red River services. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work for your local cooperative.

TOM STEINOLFSON

CEO/ GENERAL MANAGER

If this opportunity resonates with you, we invite you to check out our open positions at redrivercomm. com/careers. We’re excited to meet individuals who are as passionate about our mission as we are, and we look forward to discussing how you can contribute to our team.

“These (fiber

Have a wonderful and safe summer,

with the best

- Tom Steinolfson, CEO/GM

broadband

broadband) projects will provide over 1,000 residents and businesses

available today.”

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RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | SUMMER 2024

CONNECT

UPSTREAM @ RED RIVER

COMPANY NEWS

SYVERTSEN RETIRES AFTER 26 YEARS Deb Syvertsen retired this spring after over 26 years at Red River Communications.

Starting in 1997, Deb’s first position included accounting duties as well as answering phone calls and providing customer service. After five years, Deb’s drafting background moved her into mapping in the plant department.

Eventually she became Plant & Records Manager and worked extensively with plant records for state and railroad crossing permits. Deb’s management position evolved into updating fiber and broadband maps necessary for regulatory reports and receiving broadband expansion grants.

Her latest role also as Customer Experience Manager included overseeing the customer service and trouble reporting

departments as well as records and mapping. Deb’s knowledge of records and experience in mapping was vital to Red River Communications’ transition to fiber-to-the-home facilities.

Originally from Kent, MN, and a long-time resident of the Abercrombie, ND area, Deb is planning to spend a great deal of her retirement time with her grandchildren. She is also involved with Quilts of Valor, an organization that makes and presents quilts to area military veterans. Deb and her husband Craig have enjoyed vacationing in Texas and plan to continue those excursions.

Deb Syvertsen’s Retirement party

We thank Deb for her many years of service to Red River Communications and wish her well in retirement!

Thanks, Deb, for 26 great years!

WORK ANNIVERSARY This May, Tyler Johnson celebrated ten years with Red River Communications. As a Network Administrator, Tyler works closely with the rest of our network team, installing, designing and maintaining LAN/WAN Networks.

Tyler is a highly valued member of the Red River Communications’ team and we look forward to many more years.

Tyler Johnson - 10 years 3

RED RIVER

2024 SCHOLARSHIPS

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RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS Red River Communications is pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of 12 college scholarships for students pursuing higher education in vocational fields and general studies.

Out of the 49 applications submitted by outstanding high school seniors in the Red River Communications service area, twelve students were awarded $1,000 Red River Communications scholarships.

Eight of these scholarships were general studies scholarships, two were vocational, one was for a student entering technology field of study, and one was for a student entering an agriculture-based college major.

“Choosing recipients from the 49 outstanding applications was not an easy task for our scholarship committee, but an inspirational one,” says Red River Communications CEO Tom Steinolfson.

“Many dedicated and deserving students are looking to continue their education. Red River Communications is proud to help 12 students achieve their future career goals.”

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RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | SUMMER 2024

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CONNECT

RED RIVER

ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

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RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS

ANNUAL MEETING & MEMBER APPRECIATION MEAL

ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

HARLAN DEIKE

BOARD PRESIDENT

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who attended the 72nd Annual Meeting of Red River Communication on April 4th, 2024, in Colfax, ND. The evening was truly wonderful, filled with engaging conversations, a delicious meal from The Black Pelican (and let’s not forget the mouth-watering cake), and a celebration of our cooperative’s achievements.

I am pleased to report that our cooperative is thriving. Through hard work and strategic planning, the cooperative has consistently been able to give back to our members through capital credit allocations. One of the board of directors’ primary goals is to prioritize our cooperative’s health and prosperity, ensuring its members’ bright future.

We are dedicated to the well-being of our

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members and the broader community.

We sponsor local youth clubs and activities, support local park boards and fire departments, and encourage our employees and board members to volunteer their time and talents for various community groups and events. Our goal is to make a positive impact beyond our cooperative’s walls.

Every month, we meet to discuss cooperative business, review management reports, and address issues raised by cooperative members. I encourage each of you to bring us your questions, suggestions, and concerns.

Thank you for allowing me to help lead your cooperative this past year.

Harlan Deike Board President & District 4 Director

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | SUMMER 2024

CONNECT

2023 FINANCIAL REPORTS BALANCE SHEET: ASSETS* Total Current Assets- $13.7 Million • Cash & CDs - $9.0 Million • Materials & Supplies - $3.0 Million • Accounts Receivable - $1.7 Million Other Assets & Investments - $16.9 Million Telecommunications Plant - $28.0 Million TOTAL ASSETS - $58.6 Million

BALANCE SHEET: LIABILITIES & MEMBERS’ EQUITY* Current Liabilities- $4.7 Million • Current Debt - $1.2 Million • Accounts Payable - $2.5 Million • Other Current Liabilities - $1.0 Million Long-Term Debt- $9.9 Million Other Long-Term Liabilities - $1.2 Million Total Members’ Equity - $42.7 Million TOTAL LIABILITIES & MEMBERS’ EQUITY - $58.6 Million

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS* Operating Revenue - $14.0 Million Operating Expenses - $12.3 Million Margins from Operations - $1.7 Million Non-Operating Margins - ($419,000) NET MARGINS- $1.3 Million

CAPITAL CREDITS* 2022 Margins Allocated in 2023 - $2.77 Million *All financial numbers are drafts until final audit is complete.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR NEXT YEAR! APRIL 3, 2025 | RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL | COLFAX, ND 7

RED RIVER

ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

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RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

TIM VILAND

WAYNE SCHINDLER

RHONDA ERBES Vice-President, District 3 - Colfax

HARLAN DEIKE

President District 4 - Great Bend

GARY BOUTIETTE

JOE PIKARSKI

JERRY JANSSEN

RON GERMAN

JAN SCHMIT

CASSIE TOSTENSON

District 1 Abercrombie

District 6 Mooreton

District 2 Barnesville

DIRECTOR

District 7 Rollag

District 8 Fairmount & Hankinson

District 9 Lidgerwood & Wyndmere

Secretary/Treasurer District 5 - Kent

Attorney

DIRECTORS RE-ELECTED FOR ANOTHER THREE-YEAR TERM: Tim Viland | District 1 - Abercrombie

Deike | District 4 - Great Bend ELECTION RESULTS Harlan Jerry Janssen | District 7 - Rollag

COMMUNITY GRANT OPPORTUNITY

COBANK SHARING SUCCESS GRANT PROGRAM The CoBank Sharing Success Grant Program works with customers such as Red River Communications to provide grants to charitable organizations and causes. Non-profits and other agencies such as schools & government organizations, can apply.

Use of the grants must benefit a community or communities that receive service from Red River Communications. Grants range from $250 to $5,000.

Applications Due July 10, 2024

GO TO REDRIVERCOMM.COM/COMMUNITY TO DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND OUR PARTNERSHIP.

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Grant Applications Due July10th

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | SUMMER 2024

ROUND UP FOR CHANGE IT’S COMMON CENTS!

CONNECT

Pamela Krump (Colfax Exchange) presents a $500 grant to the Twin Town Skate Park - for Phase II Construction.

COMMON CENTS AWARDS Congratulations to these deserving organizations who received Common Cents grant funds.

Grant applications and donation information can be found at redrivercomm.com/common-cents.

Wanda Braton presents the Barnesville Fire Dept. with a $1,000 Grant for specialty flashlights

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

Donna Berg Presents the Mantador VFW with a $500 Grant for roof replacement on addition

Donna Berg Presents the LIDGERWOOD PROGRESSIVE DEV. CORP $500 for a sand volleyball court

ADDITIONAL AWARDS:

WYNDMERE-BARNEY AMBULANCE: $1,000 for automatic pulse equipment

FRIENDS OF THE LEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY: $500 to digitize archived newspapers

Lou Ann Lee presents a check to the Abercrombie Firepresents protection Pamela Krump (Colfax Exchange) a district for $250 to$1,000 go towards a laptop grant to Bio Girls Campbell/Tintah.

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RED RIVER

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CYBER SECURITY AT HOME

AVOID THE HOOK

HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND AVOID PHISHING SCAMS

Email and text messages have become crucial in personal and professional communication in today’s digital age.

However, the prevalence of cyber threats, such as phishing emails and texts, requires constant vigilance and selfprotection.

Our Customer Experience team has recently been alerted by our customers about a surge in scam emails falsely claiming to be from Red River Communications. These messages, which we did not send, typically include content like ‘your account will be deactivated ‘, ‘we are upgrading our email system ‘, or ‘update your account information ‘.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Phishing emails and text messages may look like they’re from a company you know or trust - like Red River Communications, your bank, a credit card company, social media platforms like Facebook, online payment apps like Venmo, or an online store.

Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: •

Delete and discard suspicious email or text message. If you think it might be legitimate, visit our website - or the website the message is referencing - directly instead of clicking on the link in the message to log into your account to ensure you are on the correct website.

•

If you enter your information, call us immediately to reset your password and secure your account.

•

If you have an old or short password, reset it to a longer, stronger password.

•

Learn more at redrivercomm.com/email-scam-tips or call our Customer Experience team at 701-553-8309.

SPAM LINK!

Scammers often pressure you to click on fake links in an email to steal your information or download malware.

Email is an excellent way for us to inform and educate our customers.

But we will NEVER ask you for your username or password or verify your account via email.

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NOTICES

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | SUMMER 2024

2024 FIBER BUILD PROJECTS The Red River Communications team is busy bringing FiberFAST broadband to multiple new communities in 2024. To learn more about the fiber build process and learn about each project visit our fiber projects landing page.

For more details, maps & project updates: redrivercomm.com/fiber-projects

GOPHER BOUNTY PROGRAM Pocket gophers can cause thousands of dollars in damage to our fiber-optic network. Red River Communications will pay $4 for each pair of pocket gopher front feet caught within our service area.

CONNECT

Summer 2024 Volume 9, Issue 2 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

For more information about the program, please contact our office at 701-553-8309.

Wayne Schindler District 2 - Barnesville

MN IMPLEMENTS FEE SUPPORTING 988 SUICIDE HOTLINE

Joe Pikarski District 6 - Mooreton

In compliance with the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, Minnesota statutes now require each subscriber of a wireline, wireless, or IP-enabled voice service to pay a monthly fee to provide for the robust creation, operation, and maintenance of a statewide 988 suicide prevention and crisis system. This 12 cent/month fee is effective Sept. 1, 2024.

Jerry Janssen District 7 - Rollag

DIRECTORY UPDATES

Red River Communications 510 Broadway | PO Box 136 Abercrombie, ND 58001

NAME

LOIS SZATKOWSKI DALE WEBER CALLAHAN MEATS WILLERD WARD RANDALL FORD

NUMBER

RESID/BUS

CITY

(701) 242-0123 (701) 538-4865 (218) 493-4290 (701) 274-8867 (701) 274-8877

Residential Residential Business Residential Residential

Hankinson Lidgerwood Barnesville Mooreton Mooreton

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Ron German District 8 - Fairmount/Hankinson Jan Schmit District 9 - Lidgerwood/ Wyndmere

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, Tom Steinolfson & Donna Thiel.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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PO Box 136 | 510 Broadway Abercrombie, ND 58001

Summer Safety Stay connected while you’re away.

DON’T LET WORRIES ABOUT YOUR HOME IMPACT SUMMER FUN. ARLO & RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS, HAVE YOU COVERED. Summer means vacations, pool parties, and adventures - not worrying about your property back home. Arlo cameras - installed by Red River Communications, let you monitor your home from wherever you are.

Learn more at redrivercomm.com/cameras

PEACE OF MIND ALL SUMMER LONG. 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

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