Network Connections. Cooperative Annual Meeting scheduled for October 20. Add a joint name to your account. in this issue:

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Network Connections September/October 2016 Cooperative Annual Meeting scheduled for October 20 The annual meeting for Dickey Rural Telephone Cooperative (DRTC) has been scheduled for Thursday, Oct.

Door prizes will be awarded after the meeting. Printed below is a section of the DRTC s bylaws, which explains the election process.

Election Process: It is imperative that members be provided with a summary of the bylaws section on the election process prior to the nomination of candidates for board positions.

4. Nominations: It shall be the duty of the board to appoint a committee on nominations consisting of one committee member from each District. No member of the board may serve on such committee.

Any fifteen or more members acting together may make other nominations by petition, but a nomination by petition must specify the district directorship for which the nomination is made and the

Nominations by petitions must be submitted to the CEO/General Manager not less than twenty (20) days prior to the meeting.

The Secretary shall be responsible for the mailing of the notice of the meeting and a statement of the number of directors to be elected, the names and addresses of the candidates, specifying

Nominations from the floor and write-in voting at the annual meeting shall not be permitted. Annual Meeting story continued on page 7.

1 Network Connections September/October 2016 Cooperative Annual Meeting scheduled for October 20 The annual meeting for Dickey Rural Telephone Cooperative (DRTC) has been scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Ellendale Public School Gymnasium, Ellendale, ND at 7 p.m. The election of officers will be held during the meeting. Join us for a complimentary meal served from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Child care is available during the meeting. Door prizes will be awarded after the meeting. Printed below is a section of the DRTC s bylaws, which explains the election process. Please review the nomination process and plan to attend the annual meeting to take part in your telecommunications cooperative. IV. Election Process: It is imperative that members be provided with a summary of the bylaws section on the election process prior to the nomination of candidates for board positions. The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) requires that DRTC provide a summary of the bylaws section on the election process prior to the nomination of candidates for board positions. Section 4.4. Nominations: It shall be the duty of the board to appoint a committee on nominations consisting of one committee member from each District. No member of the board may serve on such committee. The committee shall prepare and post at the principal office of the Cooperative at least thirty (30) days before the meeting a list of nominations for directors to be elected. Any fifteen or more members acting together may make other nominations by petition, but a nomination by petition must specify the district directorship for which the nomination is made and the petitioners must be members in the director district for which the nomination is made. Nominations by petitions must be submitted to the CEO/General Manager not less than twenty (20) days prior to the meeting. The Secretary shall post such nominations at the same place where the list of nominations made by the committee is posted. The Secretary shall be responsible for the mailing of the notice of the meeting and a statement of the number of directors to be elected, the names and addresses of the candidates, specifying separately the nominations by the committee and the nominations made by petition, if any; said notice and statement to be mailed at least ten days before the date of the meeting. Nominations from the floor and write-in voting at the annual meeting shall not be permitted. Annual Meeting story continued on page 7. >> Add a joint name to your account You might be surprised to learn that if you ve never given your authorization to add a joint name to your account, DRN cannot allow him/her (whether it be a spouse or roommate) to vote at the annual meeting or make changes to your account. DRN does this to protect your account from any unauthorized changes. By adding a joint name, the primary person is allowing the joint name to add services, inquire about billing, charges, etc. Call now to add a joint name to your account, or download and print the Authorized Account Contact online at com/support. Mail completed forms to DRN, P.O. Box 69, Ellendale, ND in this issue: 2 McIntosh County Bank 4 Are you hurting your Wi-Fi signal? 5 BEK Sports Schedule

McIntosh County Bank Family-owned bank dedicated to serve as Cornerstone of the Community As a family-owned business, McIntosh County Bank s vision is to be the cornerstone of the community.

McIntosh County Bank offers a variety of products and services to meet customers financial needs at all stages of life including: checking, savings, certificate of deposits, IRA accounts along with

2 McIntosh County Bank Family-owned bank dedicated to serve as Cornerstone of the Community As a family-owned business, McIntosh County Bank s vision is to be the cornerstone of the community. Started as Farmers State Bank of Danzig, North Dakota in 1911, it s now a full-service bank run by fourth-generation family members. McIntosh County Bank offers a variety of products and services to meet customers financial needs at all stages of life including: checking, savings, certificate of deposits, IRA accounts along with lending products. Beginning as a community-focused bank, McIntosh County Bank specializes in the farming-centered needs of their customers. Being the cornerstone of the community means providing services to our primary industry, agriculture, according to President and CEO Robert Wishek. He continued, As a locally owned business, we are small enough to know our customers by name, yet large enough to provide the necessary products and services they need for everyday life and business. However, McIntosh County Bank is driven to provide superior service to all business and residential customers, not only those involved in agriculture. The bank takes part in community activities, as well as invests in organizations and the local school, necessary to keep the community healthy and thriving. Wishek stated, We re focused on every facet of our community where we can make a difference. The most valuable service we offer our customers is the knowledge and experience in money management matters, stated Kayla Litsey, assistant vice president of operations. With this philosophy, McIntosh County Bank believes in hiring and retaining quality employees to help educate customers on the banks services and work with them to reach their financial goals. Whether customers do their banking face to face with their favorite teller or online, McIntosh County Bank has the ability to serve each customer to fit their unique needs. Offering convenient services, like online banking, we can retain our young, local customers who leave the community after high school. Online banking also helps save driving time for customers who don t live near either of our locations in Zeeland and Ashley, said Litsey. Left to right: McIntosh County Bank s Assistant Vice President of Operations Kayla Litsey, DRN s Network Analyst Andy Meyer, and McIntosh County Bank President Robert Wishek. FROM FARMERS STATE BANK OF DANZIG TO MCINTOSH COUNTY BANK: As the financial climate of the Danzig community declined, the bank that opened in 1911 relocated to Zeeland in In 1945, the name changed to McIntosh County Bank to reflect its dedication to the surrounding communities in and around McIntosh County. At that time it also moved the headquarters to the present site in Ashley. Zeeland was retained as a branch office, and serves customers to this day. 2 Bank story continued on page 3. >>

McIntosh County Bank continued from page two. A reliable and secure network connection is vital to helping the bank serve customers both in person and online.

Litsey sought out the help of Ashley native, DRN Network Analyst Andrew Meyer.

Now ReadiTech manages and maintains the bank s internal network, equipment, computers, including software updates and patches so the bank s team can focus their time and resources on their customers.

ReadiTech s IT support has proven valuable she explained, with quick response times and the ability to have a technician physically at the bank s location. It saves me time! exclaimed Litsey.

DRN also provides the business with telephone, high-speed Internet, television, Centrex phone system and web hosting.

3 McIntosh County Bank continued from page two. A reliable and secure network connection is vital to helping the bank serve customers both in person and online. Most recently, McIntosh County Bank added DRN s ReadiTech managed IT support and consulting services when their previous technical support company wasn t meeting their needs. Litsey sought out the help of Ashley native, DRN Network Analyst Andrew Meyer. They discussed how DRN s ReadiTech team could improve the bank s network performance, reduce downtime and increase productivity. Now ReadiTech manages and maintains the bank s internal network, equipment, computers, including software updates and patches so the bank s team can focus their time and resources on their customers. DRN has helped us improve and expand our network infrastructure so we can securely and efficiently continue to grow and improve our bank products and services, said Litsey. ReadiTech s IT support has proven valuable she explained, with quick response times and the ability to have a technician physically at the bank s location. It saves me time! exclaimed Litsey. It means quicker problem solving, updates and ultimately less downtime, she continued. DRN also provides the business with telephone, high-speed Internet, television, Centrex phone system and web hosting. As the banking industry changes and technology evolves, McIntosh County Bank is dedicated to meet the needs of its customers like it has since its humble beginning. The employees at McIntosh County Bank continue to use their time and talents to support community activities, provide superior customer service and help customers better manage their finances. It s this commitment that McIntosh County Bank demonstrates it truly is a Cornerstone of the Community. For more information about McIntosh County Bank go online to or call Statement of non-discrimination Dickey Rural Telephone Cooperative is a recipient of federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or disability shall be excluded from participation, in admission or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any of this organization s programs or activities. The person responsible for coordinating this organization and subsidiaries nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Robert K. Johnson, general manager. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination may obtain further information about the statutes and regulations listed above from and/ or file a written complaint with this organization; or USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC , or call (202) (voice or TDD). Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible. Patriot Award presented to DRN DRN s Robert Johnson, Janell Hauck, Brenda Sand and Sonja Bommersbach were selected for the Patriot Award in honor of their support and cooperation of our Armed Forces in the workplace. The four were nominated by DRN Customer Care Specialist Sue Urlacher, a member of the N.D. Army National Guard. Urlacher nominated Johnson, Hauck, Sand and Bommersbach for the important roles they play ensuring she has the best opportunity to balance her civilian job at DRN while fulfilling her duties as a guardswoman. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. Photo: General Manager/CEO Robert Johnson holding the Patriot Award with Customer Care Specialist Sue Urlacher, a N.D. Army National Guard member. 3

4 Stay connected to TV anytime and anywhere DRN s TV Everywhere gives you access some of the best shows, movies and live streams of networks available!

Most WatchTVeverywhere apps are available on PC, laptop, ipad, iphone and Android phones. Several TV networks are also now available on Apple TV, Roku, and Xbox.

4 4 Stay connected to TV anytime and anywhere DRN s TV Everywhere gives you access some of the best shows, movies and live streams of networks available! DRN s TV Pak customers can watch anywhere and anytime at no extra cost. (Wireless data usage and fees may apply). Most WatchTVeverywhere apps are available on PC, laptop, ipad, iphone and Android phones. Several TV networks are also now available on Apple TV, Roku, and Xbox. Access on specific devices may vary by provider. Visit your device s app store and search by the network name for available applications. It s easy to start using watchtveverywhere. To Register: Select DRN from the drop down menu and Submit. With your latest bill statement handy. Click on Register. You will need: 1. Your DRN account number, and 2. The correct spelling of the last name on the account 1. Keep your router off the floor. Place your router off the ground at least five to seven feet if possible. Think of your router as a light bulb that you want to shine as far as possible. 2. Put your router in the center of your home preferably on the first floor. Stay away from putting it in the basement or the back corner bedroom. 3. Avoid locations next to or behind your TV because media components can seriously affect your wireless performance. Also, stay away from enclosed consoles with heat producing appliances like a DVD player or game console that can also cut down the signal. 4. Stay away from basic home appliances like cordless phones and microwaves. These also affect performance. 5. Have a fish tank? Avoid placing the router by your tank as wireless signals don t pass well through water. 6. Where in your house do you use wireless most often? Place your router as close as possible to where it s used often or a central location, off the ground and out in the open. 7. Limit applications that take up a lot of speed. Playing video games online or doing video chats can make the wireless experience slower for everyone else. Visit to complete a speed test. 8. Regularly reboot your router. Software updates are made from time to time that require a restart. To reboot your router, unplug it from the outlet, wait seconds and plug it back in. 9. Check your router s age. An outdated router could be the reason why wireless speeds are slow. Depending on your needs, DRN recommends upgrading your router every two to five years. You will be asked to: 1. Provide an address. This will be your username. This can be any valid address. 2. Provide a password. 3. Select a password reset question. 4. Supply the answer to the password reset question. 5. Click on Register. Check the address you just provided. You will find an message with your watchtveverywhere activation link. Click on the link to complete the registration process. Finished! Begin enjoying watchtveverywhere. It is important that you keep your username and password confidential. Use of your credentials by others will result in a loss of watchtveverywhere privileges. Tips to improve your Wi-Fi signal WHAT IS WI-FI? Wi-Fi is wireless internet. It uses hot spots, a physical location that offers internet through the use of a router. Telephone assistance available for eligible customers Every person in America should have access to quality affordable telecommunications service. This principle of Universal Service has been the goal of the telecommunications industry for decades. DRN offers a home telephone assistance program. This program, referred to as Lifeline, helps eligible people establish and maintain telephone service. The Lifeline telephone assistance program will now offer a flat telephone service discount of $9.25 to those eligible. The Link-Up program previously offered has been eliminated. Those changes became effective April 2, Lifeline helps lower the cost of telephone service for eligible people maintaining monthly telephone service. An individual is eligible if he or she participates in one of the following programs: Temporary Assistance for BEK SPORTS Fall Schedule LIVE ON: BEK SPORTS AIRS ON Channels 7 & 95 Digital Channels 107 & 195 Schedules subject to change. Post season schedule to be announced. BEK Needy Families (TANF), Food Stamps, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, National School Lunch free lunch program, Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8. In addition, a consumer may be eligible if his or her household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. If you no longer qualify for a program, you no longer qualify for Lifeline. Consumers must apply for Lifeline through their local telephone company. For more information on Lifeline, please contact DRN, or stop by one of the following locations: 9628 Highway 281, Ellendale; 16 4th Ave. W., Lisbon; or 103 6th St. S., Oakes. Football Friday, Sept. 2 Lisbon at Valley City 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30 LaMoure at Richland 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7 Ellendale E/K at Milnor/N Sargent@Milnor 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 Oakes at Ellendale/Edgeley/Kulm@Kulm 7 p.m. Volleyball Thursday, Sept. 8 Milnor/North Sargent at Lisbon 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 Lisbon at Hankinson 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 South Border at Napoleon/G-S 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27 Oakes at Sargent Central 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4 L-M-M at Ellendale 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6 South Border at LaMoure 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 FCT at Sargent Central 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18 Edgeley/Kulm at Ellendale 7:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 LaMoure at Linton H/M/B 7:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 Napoleon GS at Lisbon 7:30 p.m. Results of the 30th Anniversary G.O.L.F. Classic Brady Anderson of Forman, ND was recently crowned the overall champion of DRN s ReadiTech G.O.L.F. Classic. Anderson shot a 141 combined score from all four courses. Todd Thompson and Adam Johnson finished in a close second and third, both finishing with a total score of 143. Zlatko Stankovic finished in fourth place with a total score of 150. Michael Nogesek came in a close fifth with a score of 151, and right behind Nogesek was Mike Jarland who shot a score of 152 for sixth place. Rounding out the top eight finishers were David Drexler, 154, and Josh Peldo, 155. A total of 127 golfers participated in the 30th Anniversary G.O.L.F. Classic to make it another success. The tournament was played July 9 10 at the Grand Rapids, Oakes, Lisbon, and Forman golf courses. 5

5 GIVING BACK 2016 Summer Celebrations This summer DRN employees dedicated many hours, to participate in parades, county fairs and other fun family events throughout its service territory. DRN strives to provide opportunities for staff members to be involved in community events, helping keep local summer celebrations and traditions going strong. We enjoyed seeing you this summer at: Oakes Irrigation Days Parade Forbes 4th of July Parade Fort Ransom 4th of July Parade Dickey County Fair DRN Customer Appreciation Picnics Sargent County Fair Ransom County Fair Rootbeer Floats Super Valu Event Ashley Sheyenne River Speedway Night Sponsor Lisbon Above: DRN s Cornhole Tournament at the Dickey County Fair helped raise funds to provide a service dog for a N.D. veteran. Right: Sargent County Fair goer concentrates to slide out the Jenga piece at DRN s booth for a prize. SERVICE DOGS FOR AMERICA FUNDRAISER UPDATE An estimated 23 U.S. Veterans commit suicide every day. DRN employees and Board of Directors have stepped up to help. Through various fundraising efforts, staff are raising $20,000 for Service Dogs for America to help a North Dakota veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder restore his or her physical and emotional independence. The money raised will purchase a service dog for the veteran. Lemonade Stand DRN employee, Patrick Young, delivered $86 in donations from his daughter, Sara, and friend, Kali Norton who held a lemonade stand and for the Service Dogs for America project. Dog Dish Challenge on Facebook DRN employees recently started the dog dish challenge to raise funds for the service dogs project. The challenge is a spinoff of the successful ice bucket challenge on Facebook. A video of the challenge is posted to Facebook and the participant challenges others to participate and donate. Chocolate Bar Sales World s Finest Chocolate bars are for sale $1 per bar in various flavors. Stop by a DRN customer service office or ask a DRN employee to purchase. Traveling Boot Challenge See a boot on display while you re out and about? Make a donation and sign the boot! The traveling boot challenge has successfully raised funds at McIntosh County Bank, Ashley where all funds donated were matched by the bank. The Ranch House, Fullerton held a free-will soup and sandwich lunch to raise money for the cause and challenged other restaurants to beat their total. 6 Farmland Ampride s 4th of July Hot Dog Feed In support of DRN s employee-led service project, Farmland Ampride in Oakes hosted a free-will donation at their 4th of July Kick-off hot dog feed. All proceeds went toward the goal $20,000 goal.

6 New directory listings Ashley 288 Matt Hoffman Chris Olson Edgeley 493 Treston Butterfield Ellendale 349 Jordan Barton Aaron Kindelspire Kerry C Kuno Kelsey Lopez Bill Martinko Katie Petersen Taylor Witte Forbes, SD 358 Jenifer Strand... (605) Michele Vance... (605) Forman 724 Judy Anderson Four Seasons Villas Benjamin Kaiser Tyler Mahrer Janna Rasmussen Fredonia 698 Madeline Ford Gwinner 678 Margo Anderson James Crider Don Foster Annette Hardy Dawn Thorsness Guelph 783 Davy Hokana Taqkari Johnson Jr Michelle Kunrath Kathryn 796 Ron & Clara Kruger Kulm 647 Nathan Elhard LaMoure 883 Mario Benedetti Casey & Heather Klein Aaron Kratz K McCarl Lisbon 683 Jason Blasczyk Shirley Busche Rhyn Dahl Lisbon 683 (cont.) Shea Dick Irene M Ellsworth Ryan Froemke Emily Grefsrud Virgil J Olson Berentje Pohlman Alice Sutherland Samantha Utke Marion 669 Ronald Haltli Karl Ketterling Cory and Alison Rodin Lori A Smith Milnor 427 Rebecca Carlson Allison Roeder Oakes 742 Keith Bymers Levi Frye Aaron Held Nikkolis Hovind Patricia Larson Bob Peters Brenda Sam Charissa Stadlman Isaac Swanson Annual Meeting DRN is celebrating Co-op month. Join us for a luncheon at a DRN office near to you! 11 a.m. 1 p.m. Lisbon Tuesday, Oct. 4 Oakes Wednesday, Oct.5 Ellendale Thursday, Oct. 6 Free-will luncheon: hot dog, chips, water. Donations go to DRN employees Service Dogs for America fundraiser. Don t forget to register for a door prize! (continued from page 1) This year the following districts will be electing board members: 7, 8 and 11. Harvey Konrad, Jud, currently represents DRTC members from District 1. Konrad has decided not to seek re-election. Therefore, the Board of Directors voted to re-district and are moving district 1 into District 4, the Fredonia exchange. After the 2016 Annual meeting, District 4 will comprise of the Fredonia and Jud exchange. District 7 is comprised of the Nelvik and Venturia exchanges and is currently represented by Ralph Neu, Ashley. Neu is seeking re-election. Forbes and Merricourt exchanges are District 8. Duane Heinrich, Forbes, has decided not to seek re-election. District 11 is comprised of Oakes, Forman, Gwinner and Lisbon exchanges. Rod Buck from Oakes currently represents District 11 on the Board of Directors and is seeking re-election. 7

7 P.O. Box 69 Ellendale, ND Hwy 281 Ellendale, ND This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

LAMOURE SCHOOL. Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

LAMOURE SCHOOL. Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat LAMOURE SCHOOL August 20 2 3 4 8 - football player & parent meeting at 8:00 p.m. - Football practice from 8:00 a.m. to :00 noon Grades 7-8 football practice from 8:00 a.m. to :00 noon 7-8 Volleyball practice