A pre-conference to Energy Issues Summit
NEW DIRECTOR ORIENTATION \;
August 2-3\, 2027 (M 1-5:00pm\, 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 Subject to change
Day 1: Monday\, August 2nd
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; 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 TBD 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 - CoBank
\; \; \; \; \; \; \;VP Electric Distribution\, Vicki Trees introduces you to CoBank\, rural America'\;s cooperative bank.
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: Tuesday\, August 3rd
8:25 \; \; \;Welcome \;- Amanda Meredith\, MREA
8:30 \; \; \;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.
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? 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 \; \; \;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.
2:00 \; \; \;Affiliated National Organizations - NRECA
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light &\; Power Association and MREA Director\, and Minnesota'\;s national board \;
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; representative \;TBD \;talks about the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and its \;
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; membership programs
2:15 \; \; \;Director Education Certification
\; \; \; \; \; \; \;Karen Miller\, MREA Event and Education Program Specialist
2:30 \; \; \;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 12.19.2025
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. \;
2027 Late Registration
All events in 2027 will be subject to a $50 late registration fee for anyone that registers 2 weeks prior to the published event dates.