Board FAQ
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned and member-controlled electric distribution cooperative. The members elect one of their own to serve as a director on the cooperative board. These democratically-elected directors govern and direct the affairs of Dakota Electric, guide how the co-op’s money and assets are used to fulfill the cooperative’s mission, and represent their members’ interests and concerns as they develop policies that guide the cooperative’s operations and strategic direction.
Directors attend regional meetings, conferences and events to learn and make decisions on specific industry and governance issues such as risk management, ratemaking and policy development.
For more information, please view our Meet Your Board page.
Yes. Dakota Electric board members are encouraged to enroll in extensive training and education at a variety of levels. The education offered helps directors understand their roles and responsibilities, stay up-to-date on the key issues and trends in the industry and prepare them to meet the challenges facing electric cooperatives now and in the future.
Dakota Electric is governed by 12 directors. Three directors represent each of the four districts that make up the cooperative’s service area.
For more information, please view our Meet Your Board page.
Meetings are typically held in person at 8:30 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at the cooperative’s headquarters in Farmington with the exception of the months of June, November and December. Meeting start times, dates and formats may vary.
For more information, please view our Monthly Board Meetings page.
We ask that members interested in observing a board meeting contact Dakota Electric’s Director of Executive Services, Melissa Cherney at 651-463-6252 or email [email protected] prior to the meeting.
Members who wish to request an item be placed on the board meeting agenda should submit their request, in writing, at least two weeks prior to the scheduled board meeting date. Any requested items will be reviewed by the CEO and board chair of the cooperative to ensure there is sufficient time on the agenda.
For more information, please view our Monthly Board Meetings page.
Members can contact their board member by going to the Meet Your Board page, finding the director/s listed in their district and clicking on their contact link.
Dakota Electric’s service area is divided equally into four districts to fairly represent the number of members residing in each district. For more information on which directors reside in which district, please view the Meet Your Board page.
Each year, Dakota Electric seeks member participation for the nominating committee to help facilitate our annual election process. Committee members participate in the interview process of all interested and eligible director candidates to determine qualifications for placement on the election ballot for that year’s election.
The nominating committee is comprised of two members and one alternate member appointed from each of the four districts. The committee members are randomly selected at the January board meeting from a pool of eligible and interested members who have submitted an application by the January deadline and reside in the district in which they are applying.
All participants will receive a stipend for their time.
For more information, please view our Annual Meeting and Elections page or watch for the notification in the December issue of Circuits.
Any Dakota Electric member in good standing may seek election for the board of directors in the district in which they reside. Eligible members must submit their candidate application via the application link found on the annual meetings and election page by the January deadline. Completed applications are reviewed for eligibility and all director candidates are required to interview with the nominating committee to determine qualifications for placement on the election ballot for that year’s election.
Look for more information in the December issue of Circuits or view our Annual Meeting and Elections page.
Yes. Each director receives a monthly retainer for their service.
Please contact Dakota Electric’s Director of Executive Services, Melissa Cherney at 651-463-6252 or email [email protected] for more information.
