2025 New Director Orientation

Description

A pre-conference to Energy Issues Summit
NEW DIRECTOR ORIENTATION
August 5-6, 2025 (T 1-5:00pm, W 8:25am-3:30pm)
Doubletree Bloomington, Bloomington, MN

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Electric cooperative directors recently elected to their local board. 

DETAILS  
This MREA seminar provides an orientation for new directors including an overview of board responsibilities, affiliated organizations, the rich history of co-ops and the rural electric program, legislative and regulatory concerns, and competitive pressures and changes occurring in the industry today. The orientation will help new directors understand industry terminology and issues discussed during the Energy Issues Summit.

AGENDA Subject to change
Day 1: Tuesday, August 5
              Registration - Meet and Greet directors from other co-ops
1:00       Welcome, Introductions & MREA Overview
              MREA's CEO Darrick Moe, welcomes new electric cooperative directors to the co-op family and provides an 
              overview of MREA staff and services.
1:15       Electric cooperatives & Politics
              Darrick Moe, President & CEO of MREA will talk about the cooperative principles, benefits of local ownership 
              and control, and some unique characteristics of electric cooperatives
2:00       Affiliated Organizations: Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange
              Account Executive Keith Johnson introduces you to Federated Rural Electric Insurance
2:15       Stretch Break
2:30       CEO Panel: Talk on their Experiences Working in the Co-op Space
3:30       Affiliated National Organizations - NRECA
              Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light & Power Association and MREA Director, and Minnesota's national board 
              representative Tim Velde talks about the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and its 
              membership programs.
3:45       Working with your CEO: An overview for new directors
              In this session Debra Englund, HRExpertiseBP, will help co-op directors learn best practices and principles 
              for building and maintaining a healthy working relationship with your CEO/General Manager. She will also 
              cover, preventing sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior.
5:00       Adjourn

Day 2: Wednesday, August 6th
8:25      Welcome  - Amanda Meredith, MREA
8:30      Director Duties & Responsibilities
             Chad Felstul from Pemberton Law, provides an overview of director duties and responsibilities, fiduciary 
             responsibilities to the organization you serve, a guide to policy making vs. implementation of policy, as well 
             as communication roles you may need to handle as a director.
9:30      Affiliated National Organizations - CFC
             Regional vice President, Alison Deelstra introduces you to the electric cooperatives' bank National Rural 
             Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC).
9:45      Stretch Break
10:00    Generation & Transmission
             How does the generation and transmission cooperative fit into the picture? Kyle Leier, manager of Resource 
             Strategy & Development at Great River Energy, will explain how electricity is generated, transmitted and 
             distributed to the customer at the end of the line.
11:00    You are the message. Are You Ready?
             Electric cooperative members must be prepared to communicate with stakeholders about everything from 
             emergencies and environmental topics to governance and policy issues. Joe Miller, MREA, discusses why 
             it is essential to convey the right messages and know how social media and other roles impact external impressions.
12:00    Lunch
1:00      Basic Co-op Finance
             Mike Bash will discuss electric co-op finance and capital credits. The co-op board of directors is responsible 
             for setting policy on equity levels and capital credit retirement strategies.
2:00      Director Q&A Panel
             MREA has invited a few seasoned directors to satisfy every question and curiosity you have about being on 
             your co-op's board. Jenny Scharmer, MiEnergy; Linda Laitala, East Central Energy;
3:15      Affiliated National Organizations - CoBank
             VP Electric Distribution, Vicki Trees introduces you to CoBank, rural America's cooperative bank.
3:30      Adjourn

HOTEL 
Doubletree Bloomington
7800 Normandale Blvd,
Bloomington, MN 55439
Booking Link 

EVENT POLICIES

MREA EVENT CANCELLATION POLICY (Click on link)

MREA EVENT CODE OF CONDUCT (LINK TO FULL POLICY)
MREA is committed to providing a safe, productive and welcoming environment for all participants and staff in MREA meetings, conferences, training programs, and events both online and in-person. All Event participants including but not limited to attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, students, guests and vendors, are expected to abide by this MREA Event Code of Conduct, and this code applies to all space and situations in which MREA meeting-related activities are being conducted, including virtual meetings and those sponsored by organizations other than MREA but held in conjunction with MREA Events. Participation constitutes agreement to comply with the Code of Conduct as a condition of attendance. 

2025 LATE REGISTRATION
All events in 2025 will be subject to a $50 late registration fee for anyone that registers less than 2 weeks prior to the published event dates.