Congratulations to John Bestul on his promotion to Lead JT&S Safety Program Manager. John joined the Job Safety & Training team in May 2022. |  | |
Photo: President & CEO Brent Ridge met with Gov. Tony Evers at the Wisconsin State Capitol recently to provide an overview about our role as a critical services provider in rural communities.
President & CEO Brent Ridge has a busy week of travel supporting our members and local communities.
Brent and Economic Development Manager Jenny Kuderer-Radcliffe attended a meeting in Madison on Dec. 5 to support the UW-L Prairie Springs Science Center. Brent is featured in a video highlighting the importance of a strong higher education institution to the community.
Jenny, a UW-L graduate, has served as Chair of the UW-L Foundation. The Foundation is advocating for the Prairie Springs Science Center to receive funding in the state budget.
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Brent and Oakdale Electric Cooperative General Manager & CEO Chris Tackmann will address the Monroe County Climate Change Task Force in Sparta today. Brent and Chris will present on Sustainable Co-op Strategies for a Clean Energy Future.
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Brent will attend the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC) Annual Meeting this week in West Des Moines, Iowa.
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Manager, Corporate & Field Safety Ryan Kenealy is presenting today at the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) Badger State Safety Conference in Fond Du Lac. Ryan will represent the JT&S statewide organization, addressing Minimum Approach Distance, Bucket Truck Setup & Rescue and Electrical Hazards for cable technicians. As noted by the White House event on rural broadband held at Dairyland last week, our cooperative has a significant role in the nationwide effort to improve access to broadband in rural areas. An essential part of that role is helping to ensure the safety of the professionals who will be working to install the necessary equipment.
| CASH IN YOUR GO365 BUCKS! | As a reminder, Humana is exiting from the Employee Group Commercial Medical Products business as of Dec. 31, 2023, which includes Dairyland's Go365 program. Please use your remaining Humana Go365 Bucks by Dec. 15, which is the last day you will have access to your account. For details, please see the Dec. 4 email from Total Rewards. | |
Last Friday's Dairyland Children's party by the numbers:
- 178 total attendees
- 99 children
- 79 adults
"Thank you to the Holiday Committee members who worked the event and helped make the party a success," said Abby Ocello (Communications & Member Services). "We are excited to see you this Friday at Dairyland's Employee Holiday Party!" Committee members include Elizabeth Mueller, Lori Flock, Maria Hellwig, Nikki Gilbertson, Kelsie Olson and Dana Bolwerk.
Rotary Lights: Thanks, Volunteers!
Thank you to all the Dairyland volunteers who took time out of their busy schedules to staff Dairyland's night at Rotary Lights last week. Dairyland is a major sponsor of Rotary Lights and has had a volunteer team for a night of the lights since it began. Click here for a photo gallery of the evening, as well as pictures from the Children's party.
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As a process and confidentiality enhancement, the People Seeker function on the Breaker will no longer contain employee numbers as part of employee details.
For more information and instructions on how to find your employee number, please see the Dec. 4 email from the Help Desk.
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MISO SELECTS DAIRYLAND TO DEVELOP
345 kV TRANSMISSION PROJECT
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Dairyland Strategic Priorities: Asset Reliability & Diversification; Growth & Innovation
Dairyland is the selected developer for a Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc., (MISO) 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission project in Wisconsin. The competitive bid was won by Dairyland to develop, own and operate a new 345 kV line from the Mississippi River to the Tremval substation (Blair, Wis.).
“These transmission facilities will foster the delivery of renewable resources from the West and strengthen reliability in the region,” said EVP & COO Ben Porath. “Dairyland has a strong history of owning and operating 69 kV and 161 kV transmission projects in our four-state region. Although Dairyland has co-owned 345 kV projects, this is a milestone as it will be Dairyland’s first opportunity to both own and operate a 345 kV transmission line as our cooperative readies for the energy transition.”
About the Alma-Blair Transmission Project: The new 345 kV transmission line will be located from the Mississippi River near Alma, Wis., to the Tremval substation. The scope of work of the Alma-Blair Transmission Project includes installation of new 345 kV conductor, insulators and hardware on replaced double-circuit structures in tandem with Dairyland’s 161 kV transmission line.
This project is recommended by MISO as part of Tranche 1 of their Long Range Transmission Plan (LRTP). It is part of LRTP4, a broader group of transmission projects that extend from the Wilmarth substation near Mankato, Minn., to the Tremval substation. The LRTP4 projects are expected to be in service by June 1, 2028. Additional information about MISO awarded competitive bids can be found here.
| MAKE YOUR VOICE COUNT: ENGAGEMENT SURVEYS PLANNED IN 2024 | |
Dairyland Strategic Priority: People 1st
As part of Dairyland’s effort to continuously improve our workplace culture, we are partnering with WorkTango on employee experience surveys for 2024. Engagement surveys provide a valuable opportunity to anonymously share your opinions about our cooperative.
The WorkTango surveys will replace the Great Place to Work survey conducted by Dairyland in 2022. Dairyland is leveraging WorkTango, which is already in place as our rewards and recognition platform. We are expanding into WorkTango’s Surveys and Insights function, recognized as a leading, research-backed platform.
Confidentiality guaranteed: Dairyland is seeking authentic responses through the confidential survey. By partnering with a third party (WorkTango), your anonymity is ensured. Please make your voice heard and help direct workplace culture initiatives by participating in the engagement surveys. It is a guarantee by WorkTango that no one in the Dairyland organization will have access to information revealing sentiment sources.
What to expect: There will be four types of surveys conducted through WorkTango. Short “pulse” surveys, which are quick to complete and are anticipated to be released quarterly. The first pulse survey will be issued in mid-January to kick off the new year. In addition, employees will receive one full engagement survey in 2024. The platform will also be used to conduct Onboarding surveys for new hires at 21 and 90 days as well as Exit Surveys for departing employees.
All employees will receive an email from WorkTango in January with instructions inviting their feedback. Survey links are unique – please do not share your link with other colleagues.
Stay tuned: As plans are finalized, details will be shared via emails from Director, Safety & HR Elizabeth Ressie, Short Circuits and the Breaker. “Dairyland is committed to our employees and we want to hear from you to influence the employee experience and cultivate our workplace culture,” said Elizabeth. “The real-time insights that come from candid employee feedback helps build an aligned and engaged workforce.”
| DAIRYLAND & BARRON SUPPORT MARSHFIELD MEDICAL - RICE LAKE HOSPICE |  | |
Cooperative Principle #7: Concern for Community
Photo: Dairyland's Brad Foss (Power Delivery Services) and Steve Schauer (Real Estate & ROW) joined Barron General Manager Aaron Torud at the check presentation.
In collaboration with Barron Electric Cooperative, Dairyland presented a check to Marshfield Medical Center - Rice Lake Hospice last week, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to supporting the communities we serve through the Cooperative Contributions Program.
The $1,000 donation reflects the shared values of Dairyland and Barron in extending critical support to local healthcare services. Hospice care is a patient-centered, family-oriented approach to care for anyone with a life-limiting illness.
“Enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve is central to our mission at Dairyland and those of our members such as Barron,” said President and CEO Brent Ridge. “It is our hope that this donation to Marshfield Medical Center - Rice Lake Hospice will help support the essential care they provide to patients and families during challenging times.”
Through the Cooperative Contributions Program, Dairyland and our member cooperatives continuously strive to make a positive impact in various sectors, including healthcare, education and community development.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the outstanding work of Marshfield Medical Center - Rice Lake Hospice,” added Aaron Torud, Barron Electric General Manager. “This donation reflects our shared belief in the importance of accessible and compassionate healthcare for all.”
About the Cooperative Contributions Program: Dairyland is focused on improving the quality of life in our four-state service area. Our Contributions Committee manages an annual budget with donations to many community service organizations. Beginning in 2023, Dairyland expanded the program to include a donation of up to $1,000 in each of our 24-member cooperative service territories.
About Barron Electric Cooperative: Barron has been providing electricity to the rural area since 1936. They serve more than 19,000 members in eight counties. For more information, visit barronelectric.com.
| FOLLOW UP: WHITE HOUSE DIGNITARY VISIT | |
Last week, Dairyland welcomed Secretary Tom Perez, Senior Advisor & Assistant to the President/White House Director, Intergovernmental Affairs and Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves to celebrate Dairyland's $15 million Middle Mile Broadband Grant. (Photo: President & CEO Brent Ridge, Secretary Perez and Deputy Secretary Graves at the roundtable.)
For a recording of the Internet for All rural roundtable, photos and media coverage links, please click here.
Roundtable participants included Pierce-Pepin CEO Nate Boettcher, Dairyland Economic Development Manager Jenny Kuderer-Radcliffe, as well as educators, students, farmers and laborers who will highlighted how reliable internet access will directly expand opportunity for their communities.
| PLEASE GIVE: FOOD DRIVE FOR UNITED WAY | |
One more week to bring in your food donations!
In partnership with the Great Rivers United Way and Rotary Lights, Dairyland is one of more than 30 businesses and organizations that are hosting community food drives at out-of-park locations in the community. Boxes are placed in the Riverside Café until Dec. 13 to collect non-perishable food items. Donations will then be delivered by Rotary Lights to area food programs.
Did you know? In the seven counties Great Rivers United Way serves, up to 10% of people do not have a reliable source of food. Too many of our neighbors do not know where their next meal is coming from, but food drives like this can make a big difference.
In 2022, these community food drives collected an additional 25,000 food items. For a complete list of locations, click here.
| YOU FIRST: WEEKLY WELLNESS NEWS | |
December Focus: The Power of You
Positivity Challenge!
Grateful people are much more likely to be happy, enjoy what they have and even be healthier on a physical level. With the end of the year approaching, we are faced with what we’ve done, or haven’t done. What we’ve achieved and have yet to achieve. Pause to remember and appreciate all the things in the current moment. This challenge will allow you to write down one or two things every day for seven days that you are grateful for or proud of. Complete the Positivity Planner for seven days and submit to totalrewards@dairylandpower.com by Friday, Dec. 22, to be entered to win $100 in Worktango points!
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