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BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP1Notice is hereby given that the 72nd Annual Meeting of the members of BEK Communications Cooperative will be held in Steele, North Dakota, on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in the Kidder County School Gymnasium. All BEK Communications Cooperative members are encouraged to participate and meet the newest District 5 members. As a cooperative member, your attendance, voice, and vote are important to the well-being of the business. Your participation is greatly appreciated. Procedural and director voting this year may be done by mail-in ballot, electronically, or in person voting at the Annual Meeting. Members must request a mail-in ballot or electronic hyperlink; the mail-in ballot request forms will be emailed to all members around mid-April.Registration and Beef Supper | 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Enter through the north entrance of Kidder County School.BEK Communications Cooperative Annual Meeting – 7:00 p.m. The meeting is conducted in the Kidder County School Gymnasium.If you are unable to attend but would still like to participate, please consider joining us on TV or online:BEK TV ChannelsBEK EPIC: Ch-26 West BEK EPIC: Ch-27 EastMidco: Ch-609 Bismarck Midco: Ch-605 FargoMidco: Ch-612 MinotDish East: Ch-27 Dish West: Ch-24Direct East: Ch-27 Direct West: Ch-26BEK TV Over the AirBismarck: KNDB Ch-26.1 Fargo: KNGF Ch-27.1Minot: KNDM Ch-24.1OnlineBEK TV+ App Facebook BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE MARCH 2024VOTE FOR VISIONWelcoming new Directors and a new District to BEK.PAGE 3CLICK TO ELECTModernizing our Coopeartive voting process.PAGE 4BULL RINGS TO AIRWAVESMeet Dakota Cowboy’s newest co-host, Beni Paulson.PAGE 6888.475.2361bek.coopAdvanced Notice of Annual Meeting2024 Theme: Hometown Roots, Creating Connections.
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP2As the days grow longer and the promise of spring beckons, it’s time for our cooperative family to come together once again for our Annual Meeting. This year’s gathering holds particular significance as we welcome new members to District 5 and prepare to elect its first Directors. Your engagement is what makes our cooperative thrive, and your vote is the cornerstone of our collective success.I encourage you to attend this year’s Annual Meeting for a variety of reasons. To begin with, we’ll be serving an incredible beef dinner! Beyond that, your participation gives you insight into our cooperative’s performance, investments, and future plans. From financial updates to infrastructure investments, you’ll gain valuable insights into the workings of our cooperative.Many decisions made at the Annual Meeting directly impact the services we provide to our members. Your input helps us tailor our oerings to better meet your needs, ensuring that we continue to serve you eectively.Your vote is your voice, and at the Annual Meeting, you have the opportunity to shape the future of our cooperative by electing representatives who align with your values and priorities. Speaking of voting, we’re pleased to announce that we’ll be utilizing the services of Survey and Ballot Systems to manage the voting process this year. New this year, we’re able to oer members the option to vote in person, by mail-in ballot, or electronically. Survey and Ballot Systems will ensure a dependable, secure election process and results that accurately reflect the will of our members. I welcome you to join us at this year’s Annual Meeting, not only to exercise your right to vote but also to connect with your fellow members, gain valuable insights, and play an active role in shaping the future of our cooperative. DERRICK BULAWA Chief Executive Ocer Your Voice Shapes Our FutureA Personal Invitation to the Annual MeetingFROM THE CEOThe BEK Beacon is a bimonthly newsletter published by BEK Communications, © 2024. It is distributed without charge to all customers.BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVEwas founded in 1952 as a local telecommunications cooperative serving Burleigh, Emmons and Kidder Counties. Since then, we’ve invested in state-of-the-art infrastructure, developed new products and services, and expanded to also serve Morton, Oliver, McLean, Logan, McIntosh, Barnes, Griggs, Cass, and Steele counties. BEK has changed quite a bit in 72 years, but we’re still a small-town cooperative at heart. This institution is an equal opportunity employer.BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE 888-475-2361P.O. Box 230 200 East BroadwaySteele, ND 58482220 4th Street NortheastValley City, ND 58072923 East Interstate AvenueBismarck, ND 58503BOARD OF DIRECTORSDISTRICT IShane MorrisReganSanford WilliamsWingDISTRICT IIBob SubartRobinsonPresident Brett StrohTappenDISTRICT IIIVice President Kevin BernhardtLintonHolly WillHazeltonDISTRICT IVSecretary/Treasurer William (Bill) BeckerWishekGerald BurlackWishekMARCH 2024"May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And maytrouble avoid you wherever you go." Happy St. Patrick’s Day from BEK Communications.We’re lucky to have you.
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP3The 2024 Nominating Committee of BEK Communications Cooperative met on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, to nominate members of the cooperative to run for the open Board of Director seats. BEK Communications Cooperative member-owners residing in Districts II and V will elect one director from District II and one director from District V West to a 3-year term and one director from District V East to a 2-year term in oce.Serving on the 2024 Nominating Committee are: Edwin Everson of Hannaford, Jamie Wetsch of Mandan, Jack Spah of Tuttle, and Randy Kapp of Medina.There are two ways to become nominated for Director: 1) by the Nominating Committee, or 2) by petition, as provided in the Cooperative’s bylaws (Article IV, Section 4). The bylaws are printed in the BEK/West River Missouri Slope Telephone Directory and are available on the BEK Communications Cooperative website. On June 13, 2024, members of the BEK Communications Cooperative will have the opportunity to vote for these candidates for the Board of Directors. Nominations for Director 2024 Nominations Committee Selects CandidatesDISTRICT I: DISTRICT II:McKenzie, Regan, Sterling, Wilton, WingNo ElectionPettibone, Robinson, Steele, Tappen, TuttleBrett Stroh Tappen (Incumbent)DISTRICT III: DISTRICT IV:Hazelton, Kintyre, Linton, StrasburgNo ElectionLehr, Napoleon, Wishek, ZeelandNo ElectionDISTRICT V WEST: DISTRICT V EAST:Bismarck, MandanJim Haussler BismarckCharlie Dunbar BaldwinValley City, Hannaford, Tower City, Fingal, Alice, NomeEdwin Everson HannafordStanding L to R: Edwin Everson (Hannaford), Jamie Wetsch (Mandan) Jack Spah (Tuttle), Randy Kapp (Medina),"May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And maytrouble avoid you wherever you go." Happy St. Patrick’s Day from BEK Communications.We’re lucky to have you.
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP4Procedural and director voting may be done by mail, electronically, or in person at the Annual Meeting, subject to a quorum. Fifty members, or two percent of the membership, shall comprise a quorum, whichever is more significant. An armative vote of not less than a majority of participating members, voting in-person, electronically, or by mail-in ballot, is required for procedural and bylaw action. A plurality of votes is required for the Board of Director election.This year, BEK has entrusted Survey and Ballot Systems with the task of managing our election process. Through their expertise and secure system, Survey and Ballot Systems will oversee the distribution of ballot request forms and if requested, provide mail-in ballot or hyperlinks for convenient electronic voting via cell phones or email.Each member will receive a ballot REQUEST form and a postage-paid return envelope from Survey and Ballot Systems in the mail around mid-April, 2024. If you are unable to attend the 2024 BEK Communications Cooperative Annual Meeting and wish to vote, you must REQUEST a ballot.When you receive the ballot REQUEST form, sign and return it in the included postage-paid envelope with a postmark date by May 3, 2024. It’s important to emphasize that the ballot request form must be returned directly to Survey and Ballot Systems; they should not be included with phone bills sent to BEK or dropped o at a BEK oce.Members voting in-person at the Annual Meeting do not need to request a ballot.Members requesting a ballot will receive the mail-in ballot or hyperlink to vote electronically, along with an Ocial Meeting Notice and an Ocial Slate of Candidates around May 14, 2024. On the ballot are sections for approving the 2023 Annual Meeting minutes, and Board of Directors election, if applicable. If voting by mail, members are asked to clearly mark their votes with blue or black ink and sign the mail-in ballot.All mail-in ballots must have a signature by the addressee on the top of the ballot, and received by Survey and Ballot Systems by end of day on June 11, 2024, to be counted for the election. If you vote by mail or electronically and then decide to change your vote, you may do so in person at the June 13th Annual Meeting.Three Ways to Vote:2024 Voting Details New This Year: Electronic VotingIn-PersonMail-In BallotElectronically
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP52024 Appointment of Voting Representative2024 APPOINTMENT OF VOTING REPRESENTATIVEIf you are attending the Annual Meeting of BEK Communications Cooperative as the Voting Representative of a church, school district, cooperative or other organization, the following “Appointment of Voting Representative” form must be completed.This is not a Proxy Statement. Residential and sole proprietorship business customers cannot use this form. Additional forms can be acquired at any of the BEK Communications oces in Bismarck, Steele, or Valley City. It can also be found online at bek.coop/coop/annualmeeting.Submitting Forms:Completed forms must be dropped o at the BEK headquarters oce in Steele before June 13, 2024 or presented during check-in at the Annual Meeting.Forms may also be mailed to the following address: BEK Annual Meeting BEK Communications Cooperative PO Box 230 Steele, ND 58482-0230If you’re mailing this form, please allow adequate mailing time. 2024 Appointment of Voting Representative FormA membership in the BEK Communications Cooperative may be held in the name of a church, school district or other political subdivision, corporation, cooperative, association or other organization. If your organization is to be represented at the Annual Meeting, complete this form and deliver to BEK Communications Cooperative OR present during check-in at the Annual Meeting.This certifies that_______________________________________is appointed the voting representative for the following organization ______________________________________________at the June 13, 2024 BEK Communications Cooperative Annual Meeting.Said voting representative is authorized to cast the vote of, and otherwise represent this organization in all matters at the Annual Meeting of the members of BEK Communications Cooperative or any adjournment thereof. Only ONE Appointment of Voting Representative Form per organization is allowed. Signed: ____________________________________________ Title: ______________________________________________ Date: ______________________________________________ After Hours Cell Phone No. : _____________________________BEK Annual MeetingBEK Communications CooperativePO Box 230Steele, ND 58482Authorized contact if verification is needed at the Annual Meeting.
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP6Beni Paulson Grabs the Bull by The Horns on Dakota CowboyBEK TV Debuts Special Cowboy MomentsBEK TV’s Dakota Cowboy welcomes a new co-host! Former bull riding champion turned bull breeder and trainer, Beni Paulson, is teaming up with Tisa Peek on Dakota Cowboy!Both hailing from North Dakota, Tisa and Beni both share a deep passion for the agricultural lifestyle. Together, they’ll explore the stories of rural communities, celebrating the values of hard work and community spirit that define the heartland. Paulson debuts on Dakota Cowboy March 10th. Get ready for a journey across the prairie with Peek and Paulson, as they shine a spotlight on the essence of rural America!Saddle up, and embark on a journey through the heart of cowboy culture with Special Cowboy Moments, a compelling docuseries hosted by North Dakota native, Kevin Holten. Hear the stories of 20th Century rodeo legends, up-and-comers, and fourth generation ranchers with Special Cowboy Moments! From the thrill of the rodeo arena to the tranquility of the open range, each episode oers a glimpse into the lives of cowboys, past and present. “These are the stories of the conscientious and hard-working men and women who represent the heart of America,” says Holten. Special Cowboy Moments airs weekdays at 5:00 p.m. CT.Ho by Ta Pk Bi PaulsSuays 7:PMOnly bek.news
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP7Ho by Ta Pk Bi PaulsSuays 7:PMOnly bek.newsBaked SpaghettiINGREDIENTS:1 (16oz) pkg. spaghetti1 lb. ground beef1 onion chopped1 jar meatless spaghetti sauce½ tsp. salt2 eggs⅓ c. grated parmesan cheese5 tbsp. butter, melted2 c. small curd cottage cheese5 c. shredded mozzarella cheeseSubmit a recipe to Dakota Table. If we publish your recipe, we will mail you some kitchen goodies!DIRECTIONS:1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 9x13 inch baking dish. 2. Boil spaghetti until tender but firm to bite, about 12 minutes. Drain water.3. In a skillet, brown hamburger and sauté onions together. Drain excess oil from skillet. Mix in spaghetti sauce and salt. 4. Whisk eggs, parmesan cheese, and butter in a large bowl. Add spaghetti noodles and toss.5. Place half the spaghetti mixture into baking dish. Top with half the cottage cheese, 2 cups of mozzarella, half the meat sauce and repeat layers. Cover with aluminum foil.6. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle with the remaining cup of mozzarella.7. Bake another 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly browned. Submit your favorite recipe to Dakota Table by mailing it to: PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482 or email bekcomm@bektel.coopRecipes will be randomly drawn for a chance to be published in the Beacon.
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP8Customer Proprietary Network InformationAnnual Notice Regarding Your Account InformationThe Federal Communications Commission asks that we periodically update you about your privacy and what’s called “Customer Proprietary Network Information” or CPNI.CPNI, at its core, is simply information about your phone service with BEK Communications. “Information” includes the long-distance carrier and calling plan to which you subscribe, calling patterns, usage of features and your billing data. We do not share, nor are we permitted to share, this information with anyone outside of BEK Communications or our wholly-owned subsidiaries, with the following exceptions: court orders or other activities authorized by law, such as fraud prevention; aggregate (grouped) information that doesn’t identify you individually; or if we have your prior permission.PROTECTING YOUR ACCOUNTWith the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress provided for the protection of CPNI. Enacted for the consumer’s protection, this FCC rule requires a customer to provide a password when requesting account details from their telecommunications carrier. BEK Communications takes your privacy and security seriously and have established a suggested 3-point level of security for your protection.In addition to the 1) Account Password required by the FCC, we ask that you establish two (2) more levels of security for your account:2. Pre-identified Authorized Account Contacts3. Security Questions with answers known only to you and your Authorized Account Contact(s)Before information is released over the phone, in writing, or when visiting, your established Account Password and/or Security Questions will be used to verify that only you or your Authorized Account Contact(s) are receiving the requested information. As part of our commitment to protection of your privacy: • When you or an Authorized Account Contact(s) request to discuss your account, BEK personnel will immediately ask for the required Account Password; if a password has not been established, we will ask that you establish one at that time; Photo ID will be requested if visiting in person • If you are the only person authorized on your account, BEK personnel are permitted to disclose account and CPNI information to you only. Spouse, immediate family, friends or others may receive information once you add them as an Authorized Account Contact. • Each time a change is made to your security information (address change, password change, security questions utilized, etc.) you will receive a letter via US Postal Service notifying you of the change or access. If you did not authorize the change/access, contact us immediately.OPTING-OUTFrom time to time, BEK Communications changes its service oering and makes available additional features and services, which may enhance or augment your subscribed service. In order to determine which customers may benefit from the new service(s) and enhancement(s), CPNI information will be consulted unless you restrict that use in the manner described below. To restrict use of your CPNI data for marketing purposes, you must contact us within 30 days of your receipt of this notice. You may speak with a BEK representative during business hours (voicemail does not qualify) by calling 888.475.2361 or you may place your request in writing by emailing bekcomm@bektel.com. Your denial or approval for BEK to use this data will not aect the provisioning of any service to which you subscribe. You may change your decision at any time and your decision will remain valid until you tell us otherwise. Again, we will only use your account information to market other BEK telecommunications services and products; no action is required unless you wish to restrict your use of your CPNI. You will still receive monthly bill inserts, newsletters and other publications that are sent to all customers so that you are kept up to date on what’s happening at BEK.It is your right and duty under federal law to protect the confidentiality of your CPNI. If you have questions about CPNI, Account Passwords, Authorized Account Contacts, Opting-Out or are ready to further protect your account, call us today at 888.475.2361 and we will be happy to assist you.Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. We appreciate you choosing BEK Communications.
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP983 Diner 782-4554 HazeltonBoutique 23 254-5123 LintonBoyle Kelly 689-6464 AliceClinton Reda 415-0312 CenterDidier Edward 845-5317 Valley CityFlemmer Lynette 867-2795 TuttleGrothe Karisa & Ross 673-3105 BaldwinHope Development Corporation 945-5850 HopeNicholson William 387-4492 MotRichman David 749-2509 Tower CityShipley L 475-2744 SteeleTrauger Je 663-4639 MandanUnited Methodist Church 475-2670 SteeleVan Beek Margaret 254-5183 PollockWahl Tony 452-4557 WishekNon-Discrimination StatementIn accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, oces, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and at any USDA oce or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oce of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410. (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.NEW PHONE LISTINGSNAME PHONE CITY Available on mobile and popular streaming devices includingiOS, AppleTV, Android, Google TV, FireTV & Roku.*LIVE ANDON-DEMANDBEK TV+ app oerslive and on-demandND sports, newsand commentary.Watch anytime,anywhere!
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP10If your home or business loses power, you may also be without phone service. You cannot connect to family and friends during poor weather. You may not be able to call 911 for an emergency.Backup power for your corded phones gives you peace of mind that your family and emergency help are always available. BEK Communications can install and maintain a voice service battery backup for your home.The standard battery oered by BEK lasts up to eight hours on standby power. You may also choose a longer-lasting option that gives up to 24 hours of standby power.What a Battery Backup Can and Can’t Do for You:The battery backup is for corded voice services only. Security systems, medical monitoring devices, internet services, wireless access points, cordless phones, and other equipment and services will not run on this home battery backup.Please note that the 8-hour and 24-hour standby times describe the length of time your phone line is available for use. Making a phone call during a power outage depletes the battery faster and may shorten the standby time.Battery Care and Testing:To maximize the function and lifespan of your battery, please follow the instructions included with your battery backup equipment and pay special attention to the temperature requirements. We recommend you store your battery above 41 degrees and below 104 degrees. Failure to follow the instructions may shorten the useful life of your battery.These batteries are rechargeable but do not last forever. You should periodically test your battery, as described in the instructions included with the battery backup equipment, to verify both the operation of the battery backup and its condition.Service Costs and Details:Our eight-hour battery backup service is available for only $2.99 per month, and our 24-hour solution for only $4.99 per month. The monthly subscription includes installation and testing, warranty coverage, and battery replacement every four years. If you have any questions or wish to purchase the service, please call 1-888-475-2361 at any time.Keeping Phone Service During A Power Outage
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP11CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSTrue Crime Storiesof the MidwestNOW ON BEK TVSUNDAYS AT9:00PM CTKNGF | FARGO • GRAND FORKSKNDB | BISMARCK • DICKINSONWatch LiveKNDM | MINOT • WILLISTONDownload & Streambek.newsCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS
BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE200 East Broadway, PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482ECRWSS LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER1Who is the new co-host of Dakota Cowboy?2What are the 3 ways you can vote at this year’s Annual Meeting?3TRIVIA ENTRYENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY APRIL 12, 2024Name: ______________________________________________________________________Phone Number: ___________________________________________________________Town: _______________________________________________________________________Clip and send to BEK at:PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482 You also can email answers to bekcomm@bektel.coop We will be drawing for twenty $5.00 credits to be applied to the winners’ bill.CONGRATS! TO OUR BEACON JANUARY WINNERSBEACON TRIVIALisa Miller | LintonScott Ulmer | Valley CityMichael Rasmussen | OriskaJune Bies | WiltonCarlene Bahm | MandanChad Ternes | BaldwinWilbur D. Noon | WiltonRichard Erickson | TappenPaul Sherman | Valley CitySimon Zins | New SalemBradley Sether | BismarckPat Egeberg | Valley CityAnn Moch | KintyreJoyce Nelson | DriscollSherri Haak | HagueDale Dockter | TappenLeland Krein | BismarckJanice Jenner | TuttleMarleen Tschida | MandanJoseph Rising | ReganWhat is the name of BEK TV’s newest program?