2026 New Director Orientation

Description

A pre-conference to Energy Issues Summit

 NEW DIRECTOR ORIENTATION 
August 3-4, 2026 (M 1-4:30pm, T 8:30am-3:30pm)
DoubleTree Bloomington,
7800 Normandale BLVD
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 
Day 1: Monday, August 3
                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
                TBD introduces you to Federated Rural Electric Insurance
2:15       Stretch Break
2:30       Director Duties & Responsibilities
               TBD, 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.
3:30       Affiliated National Organizations - CFC
               TBD introduces you to the electric cooperatives' bank National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance
               Corporation (CFC).
3:45       Working with your CEO: An overview for new directors
               In this session TBD, will help co-op directors learn best practices and principles for building and maintaining a
               healthy working relationship with your CEO/General Manager.
4:30       Adjourn

Day 2: Tuesday, August 4
8:00      Welcome & MREA Communications Update - Joe Miller, Director of Communications, MREA
8:30      Harassment: What Every Director Needs to Know
              TBD. Addresses basic legal and practical
              principles regarding harassment.
9:30      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 it's membership programs.
9:45      Stretch Break
10:00    Generation & Transmission
               How does the generation and transmission cooperative fit into the picture?TBD, 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      Affiliated National Organizations - CoBank
              TBD introduces you to CoBank, rural America's cooperative bank.
1:15      Basic Co-op Finance
             TBD 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.
2:15      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. TBD
3:30      Adjourn

HOTEL 
Doubletree Bloomington
7800 Normandale Blvd
Bloomington, MN
Booking Link Coming Soon

Event Policies
MREA Event Cancellation Policy (Link to Full Policy) updated 4.30.2025

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. 

2026 Late Registration
All events in 2026 will be subject to a $50 late registration fee for anyone that registers less than 2 weeks prior to the published event dates.