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July 13
Beth Thomes (Records & Information Mgmt.), Chad Callaway (Survey), Forrest Breeden (Fleet Operations)
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July 14
Matt White (Transmission Maintenance)
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July 18
Julie Schultz (HR)
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July 19
Eric Fladhammer (IT Help Desk)
| Elyssa Cook is a Paralegal in the Government Relations Department. Elyssa was most recently employed at Johns, Flaherty & Collins, S.C., as a Legal Assistant. | |
Cooperative Principle #7: Concern for Community
Thank you to the following Dairylanders for volunteering for the United Way Day of Caring today! Dairyland's United Way campaign has kicked off with a number of FUNdraising opportunities. For all United Way campaign news, click the button on the Breaker home page.
Kudos, Day of Caring volunteers:
· Steve Schauer at the Boy Scouts
· Nikki Gilbertson at Neighbors in Action
· Tami Klinski at Family & Children's Center
· Jeff Sexton at the Parenting Place
· Kathy Sims at WAFER Food Pantry
· Tammy Daniels and Julie Schultz at the Hunger Task Force
· Nancy Opland, Beth Thomes and Jenny Radcliffe at the United Way
· Staci Pieper at the Kane Street Garden
· Cyrus Mason at the Salvation Army Warehouse
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Supply Chain Analyst II (Temporary) –
Works to drive supply chain excellence, including inventory control at the La Crosse warehouse and other Power Supply and Power Delivery locations. Uses analytical and quantitative methods to understand, predict and enhance supply chain processes. Please apply through HCM within the July 12-Aug. 12 posting period.
Manager, PMO Projects –
Responsible for the performance of project management activities falling under the PMO department. Work across the Dairyland organization to ensure PMO and non PMO project management activities adhere to established processes and standards which results in cost effective and predictable project delivery. Please apply through HCM within the July 13-22 internal posting period.
Manager, Project Controls –
Responsible for the development of project schedules, project budgets and project performance reporting. Ensures established governance and procedures designed to support schedule and on budget project delivery are adhered to in a consistent and quality manner. Please apply through HCM within the July 13-22 internal posting period.
Plant Operator Trainee in JPM Operations. Requires timely completion of all training requirements leading to the Plant Operator position,
while performing the essential job functions of steps as completed. Please apply through HCM within the July 13-22 internal posting period.
Dispatcher in the Systems Operations Center (SOC). Responsible for the safe, efficient and reliable operation of Dairyland's generation and transmission resources during normal, abnormal and emergency
system conditions.
NOTE: The successful candidate must reside/relocate within a reasonable response time (60 minutes) of the Primary Control Center. Relocation must occur no later than the end of the transfer OR initial introductory period.
Please apply through HCM within the July 13-22 internal posting period.
| Graphic Designer/Pre-Press Technician Jami Gerke (Publication Services) was selected for feature in RE Magazine's "Co-op Newcomer" column! Jami was spotlighted in the June 2022 issue. Get to know Jami (AKA Reese Whip-Her-Soon) in the column, posted on the Breaker! | |
The 2022 Short Circuits Graduation Book is complete and printing is underway at Dairyland. It is also viewable on the Breaker.
The Grad Book features 23 employees and children or spouses of employees who graduated in winter 2021 or spring or summer 2022. Copies will be distributed to the graduates or parent and to Dairyland facilities.
Congratulations to all graduates!
| From Fred Peterson (retiree): "I would like to thank everyone for the good wishes I received upon my retirement and for celebrating with me." | Packers tickets: Four tickets for the Oct. 2 New England Patriots game ($315/ticket) and the Nov. 17 Tennessee Titans game ($185/ticket). Section: 135s; Row: 59; Seats 12-15. If interested, call/text Michelle Mirasola (Deb's daughter-in-law) at 920-419-5317. | |
The secret to living well and longer is: Eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure.
-Tibetan proverb
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COMING: EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT SURVEY! | |
Dairyland Strategic Priority: People 1st
All Dairylanders will receive an Employee Engagement Survey next week, providing a valuable opportunity to anonymously share your opinions about our cooperative.
The anonymous employee survey will run from Tuesday, July 19, through Tuesday, Aug. 2, and will be facilitated by an independent third party, Great Place to Work. The purpose is to improve as an organization by receiving real-time feedback from all employees.
"People are what make Dairyland great," said President & CEO Brent Ridge. "We are always looking for ways to become better as an organization with a strong culture of accountability. I'm asking all employees to share what you think is working and what we can do better. Your recommendations will have a direct impact on our path forward."
What to expect: The electronic survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. It will ask you questions about how you feel about your job, our leaders and the workforce as a whole. Your responses are completely anonymous.
The survey will be facilitated by Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture. To learn more about how Great Place to Work will take care of your survey responses, click here.
| KEY TAKEAWAYS: LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP | |
Dairyland held a Leadership Workshop on July 6 at the La Crescent Event Center for all formal, non-union leaders.
The workshop focused on Coaching for Performance and was co-presented by EVP & CAO Amanda Hoefling and HR Director Elizabeth Ressie. Amanda presented on Situational Leadership and organized small group work to put education into actionable takeaways.
Situational Leadership asserts there is no single "best" style of leadership. Successful leaders adapt their style to the individual, group and task. In explaining Situational Leadership, Amanda referenced Aristotle's statement: There is nothing as unequal as the equal treatment of unequals. "It's essential to adapt your leadership style to the situation and the individual," said Amanda. "Recognize and value the differences in experience on your team to tailor your leadership in a way that lifts the organization up."
President and CEO Brent Ridge opened the workshop by emphasizing the importance of cohesive, innovative and positive leadership to advance Dairyland's Mission and Vision. "Ask yourself, are you moving the Mission forward everyday?" said Brent. "Our industry is in the midst of major change and will continue to be for years. Our leaders need to pivot with that change in order for Dairyland to be successful."
Brent noted that overall workforce culture will be essential to sustainability. "Dairyland is moving away from a culture of avoidance and leading with a culture of accountability to invigorate everyone in every role."
Coming soon! Two new People Powers will be debuted at the Aug. 9 Riverside Chat. Read about our current People Powers here.
| BEST WISHES IN RETIREMENT, RICK! | |
Congratulations to Rick Kolter who is retiring tomorrow as a Substation Designer, with 40 years of service to Dairyland. Rick joined Dairyland on July 14, 1982, as a Draftsman I.
After joining Dairyland in 1982, Rick was promoted to Draftsman II in 1986, Substation Design Assistant in 1991 and Transmission Designer in 2000 before becoming a Substation Designer in 2008.
During Rick’s four decades at Dairyland, he has seen and experienced some significant innovation. “I used to draw substations on paper using pencils and erasers, then in the 90’s everyone got their own PCs and we started using AutoCAD. Now I can take my computer home to work,” said Rick. A lot has certainly changed over the years, explained Rick. “It didn’t seem all that significant at the time, but looking back I can see just how much the workplace has evolved during my time here.”
Other memorable experiences for him include the people. “I was fortunate in my role to get to work with field crews and our member cooperative staff,” said Rick. “I’ve met and worked with a lot of great people over the past 40 years.”
Rick and his wife, Joanne (retired from Gundersen and Mayo Clinic) have two children. Ben (Danae) is an engineer working as an Environmental Scientist in St. Paul. Jennah (Tyler) lives in St. Charles and works in property management.
In retirement, Rick looks forward to playing more golf, spending time with family and continuing his hobby of working on HAM Radios. Rick is going to enjoy his freedom and take it easy. “I’m just going to have no plans for a while. After all, the best plans are no plans,” he said.
“Dairyland has been a great place to work,” said Rick. “I’m glad to have been a part of it for 40 years.” Best wishes for a healthy and happy retirement, Rick!
Celebrate with Rick! Rick is hosting a retirement celebration open house on July 14, beginning at 4 p.m. at All Star Lanes in La Crosse. Beverages and pizza will be provided.
| BEST WISHES IN RETIREMENT, DOUG! | |
Congratulations to Doug Peterson who is retiring tomorrow as a Supervisor Survey, with 32 years of service to Dairyland. Doug joined Dairyland on June 6, 1990, as a Summer Survey Helper.
After joining Dairyland, Doug quickly became a Rod Worker and then Survey Technician in 1998. In 2002, he became a Survey and Design Technician and in 2010 a Land Surveyor before being promoted in 2012 to Supervisor Survey.
Some of Doug’s most memorable experiences at Dairyland include ice storms and conducting staking through the Van Loon bottoms and Tiffany bottoms. “We hiked six miles through the swamp to stake out structures for one of the projects,” said Doug. “This last time we got to go by helicopter which was a really neat experience.”
In retirement, Doug looks forward to spending time with his kids, Kaleb and Annette. He’ll also be staying busy on the farm that his family has owned since 1865 and traveling with his sister to Colorado to visit family.
“Dairyland has been a very good place to work throughout the years. A lot of good people and a lot of good memories here,” said Doug. Best wishes for a healthy and happy retirement, Doug!
Celebrate retirements: In honor of Rick's and Doug's retirements, cake will be available in the cafeteria starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday.
Retirement articles by Ellie Meyer (Communications & Member Services)
| ANGELEYE CAMERA DONATION IMPACT | |
To enhance patient care and keep families connected, Dairyland donated a total of $2,500 to Gundersen Health System in 2021 to support their partnership with AngelEye Camera System.
The AngelEye Camera System recently launched and is providing donors like Dairyland an opportunity to see its impact this week. Gundersen Medical Foundation is celebrating the launch of the camera system with a Zoom presentation on Thursday, July 14, at 6 p.m. The presentation will “show how the AngelEye Camera System is changing the way we care for our smallest patients.”
Dairyland contributed $1,250, which was matched by CoBank, a national cooperative bank, through CoBank’s Sharing Success Program. The AngelEye Camera system resulted in the installation of 18 adjustable cameras in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
“Dairyland is proud to support Gundersen Health System and their efforts to keep families together during an already challenging time,” said Brent Ridge, President & CEO. “As a cooperative serving local communities and committed to supporting a work-life balance, we are pleased to collaborate with Gundersen to aid in the addition of this new technology.”
The unique camera system allows for 24/7 access to a live stream video of their child, decreasing parental anxiety and promoting family bonding. The system allows for families to be engaged as integral members of the care team and stay informed about daily care plans and milestones.
| SURVEY RESULTS: NO MEETING WED. PM | |
In May, Dairyland began piloting “No Meeting Wednesday Afternoons." Employees are requested to block calendar time each Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m. to increase productivity, minimize work interruptions and prioritize time within teams.
A survey was sent to all employees in June to assess the reception to the initiative. Results from the 126 employees who completed the survey are shown in the graphic at left, presenting a positive baseline measurement.
Dairyland's Organization Change Management (OCM) team plans to conduct a second survey on the pilot program at the end of the year to measure the success and satisfaction after a longer period of time.
No Meeting Wednesday Afternoons 101
· Only meetings within your division are allowed on Wednesday afternoons and only for up to 2 hours total
· Exemptions: Work group meetings where collaboration is necessary to perform core day-to-day work (i.e., safety related, SOC, field crews, plants, HR interviews, Board or DMA meetings)
Focus time ensures we are supporting the CEO goal of Sustainability and spending quality time on key initiatives.
Best practices for Focus Time:
· Use the “Do Not Disturb” feature in Microsoft Teams
· Connect/collaborate with your team members
· Uninterrupted work time for completing tasks, generating ideas, project work
· Development discussions or activities (i.e., online learning)
| ERP STATUS UPDATE: AUG 1 ON HORIZON | |
Less than three weeks remain before the Aug. 1 GO LIVE for the new Microsoft Dynamics (D365) software implementation! D365 is replacing legacy systems currently used at Dairyland (Avantis, Concur, Lawson and PTS).
Project status: Currently, the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) team is working to resolve remaining interface issues that were revealed during the software's User Acceptance Testing (UAT). "We are pleased that 97% of test cases passed the UAT," said CIO Nate Melby. "Of the 3% that did not pass, the majority of those were related to security or access issues that are being resolved."
D365 Train the Trainer meetings are in progress. Stoneridge Software personnel are facilitating the program with key Dairyland users of the new software for knowledgeable, accurate in-house cascading of information. End-user training will commence the week of July 18. Emails have been sent to all employees involved in the training.
The cutover process to the new system will begin on July 29. Business transaction freezes will become effective on July 22. All Avantis requisitions must be submitted by July 22 and then all approved by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 25. (Interim processes have been identified and will be executed should the need arise.) See the project calendar on the ERP SharePoint site for more project milestones
| DAIRYLANDERS: OUT & ABOUT FOR MEMBERS | |
Director, Member Services and CCO Deb Mirasola is supporting Clark Electric Cooperative, a Dairyland member, by volunteering at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days this week. Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is being held in Clark's service territory this year. Employees and directors from Clark are demonstrating "Concern for Community" by supplying power, resources and volunteers to make the event a success. Check out the great Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News article on the event here.
General Counsel Joyce Peppin will be representing Dairyland at the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives' (IAEC) 2022 Managers and Board Presidents Summer Conference this week in Okoboji, Iowa.
The IAEC is a trade association established to support the interests of member-owned electric cooperatives, including 39 distribution co-ops and nine generation and transmission co-ops. Formed in 1942, IAEC aims to empower Iowa's electric cooperatives through legislative representation, regulatory oversight, training and education services, safety programs, communications support and advocacy. Dairyland members Allamakee-Clayton, Heartland and MiEnergy cooperatives serve portions of rural Iowa.
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