Co-op members gather for North Dakota Member Services Association meeting

Co-op professionals from across the state gather for the North Dakota Member Services Association meeting held Jan. 15-16 at Basin Electric headquarters in Bismarck.

Cooperative representatives from across North Dakota attended the North Dakota Member Services Association (NDMSA) meeting on Jan. 15-16 at Basin Electric headquarters in Bismarck.

The two-day event, coordinated by the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC), welcomed around 30 co-op member services professionals to learn more about the industry and current challenges. The meeting featured diverse topics, group discussion, and networking, said Pamela Clark-Stein, NDAREC director of Education and Members Services.

"It is a great networking opportunity," said Jeremy Woeste, supervisor of Member Relations at Basin Electric and executive committee member of NDMSA. "The overall purpose is education and professional development to improve the skills of cooperative communicators and member service professionals, which will help them in their role at their cooperatives."

NDMSA President Andrew Spratta said he was pleased with the meeting and the information presented. Among the presenters was Bismarck-based Capital Electric Cooperative Inc., which shared information about why a rate increase was needed, how Capital Electric informed customers an increase would occur, and customers' response to the increase.

Karla Sohre, health management consultant at Marsh McLennan Agency, spoke about the importance of supporting mental health. The mental health crisis is real, she said, but there's also been a longstanding stigma surrounding mental health. She shared how participants can help build a stigma-free workplace, identify mental health challenges, and get people the help they need.

Tim Eggebraaten, a former Minnesota police chief and motivational speaker, also shared perspectives on mental health. With inspirational stories and music-and some humor to boot-Eggebraaten took the stance of "finding your beat" to "the rhythm of life." While individuals might not always be able to control their environment, he said, they can take charge of their attitudes-at home, in the workplace, in life. State policies and legislative updates also were presented during the meeting.

"I always take away useful information at our meetings and this year was no different," said Brittnee Wilson, communications specialist at Northern Plains Electric Cooperative. "The guest speakers gave a mixture of topics that I can bring back not only to my cooperative but apply to my everyday life."

Woeste said the meeting was enjoyable and met expectations.

"I think the main takeaway is while we work for different cooperatives, we all face similar challenges, and everyone is willing to learn from each other and build relationships that will assist them with the challenges they face in the future. They will develop bonds and resources they can tap into to assist them in their daily roles in serving members," he said. "It was a great meeting with a very strong agenda and lots of good group discussion and networking."

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