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BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP 1As a member of BEK Communications Cooperative, you play a crucial role in electing representatives to the cooperative’s Board of Directors. This is particularly important because as members, you entrust the Board of Directors to champion your voices and share your vision, thereby driving the success of the cooperative through informed decisions and strategies.All members have equal voting rights, regardless of your level of engagement with cooperatives services. In preparation for director elections this June at the BEK Annual Meeting, the Board has selected members to serve on the 2024 Nominating Committee. MEMBERS OF THE 2024 NOMINATING COMMITTEE ARE: DISTRICT II: Jack Spah – (Tuttle) 400-3399Randy Kapp – (Medina) 327-4403 DISTRICT V:Jamie Wetsch – (Mandan) 400 -8299Ed Everson – (Hannaford) 789-7385INCUMBENT DIRECTORS FOR DISTRICTS I, II, III, IV, and V ARE: DISTRICT I – No ElectionDISTRICT II – Brett Stroh - TappenDISTRICT III – No ElectionDISTRICT IV – No ElectionDISTRICT V – Election (1) Three year term - West District V (1) Two year term - East Distrcit VMembers are encouraged to become involved in the candidate selection process by contacting the Nominating Committee members in their district. Likewise, if you are interested in serving on the BEK Communications Cooperative Board of Directors, please contact your Nominating Committee representative prior to February 28, 2024, the day that the committee will meet to choose the candidates.BEK members will cast their district vote electronically, by mail, or in person at the BEK Annual Meeting on June 13, 2024. BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE JANUARY 2024KEY TO MEMBERSHIPNot an ocial BEK Member yet? Find out how to make it ocial.PAGE 3RDFC GRANT WINNERSSupporting local initiatives and community development projects.PAGE 4DAKOTA TABLETORTELLINI BAKE A delicious pasta night recipe the whole family will enjoy!PAGE 7888.475.2361bek.coopNominations Committee ChosenGet Involved in Board Selections for 2024

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP2DERRICK BULAWA Chief Executive Ocer Enhancing Our Cooperative GovernanceBridging the Digital Divide with BEK Communications CooperativeFROM THE CEOHappy New Year! I hope this message finds you well, and I am pleased to take a moment to share some exciting developments within our cooperative. One of the cornerstones of our cooperative’s governance structure is the Nomination Committee. This committee plays a crucial role in identifying and selecting candidates who have the passion, dedication, and skills necessary to lead our cooperative. Their commitment to this process helps ensure that our cooperative continues to thrive and serve the best interests of our members.The Nomination Committee is currently gearing up for a new round of candidate selection, particularly in our recently expanded District 5. We extend a warm welcome to our new members in this district and want to ensure that you are fully informed about our election process and the role you play in shaping the future of our cooperative.I encourage all District 5 members to reach out to your local Nomination Committee representative. They will be more than happy to discuss the candidate selection process, answer any questions you may have, and even consider your valuable input. Remember, your cooperative is only as strong as the members who drive it, so your active involvement is paramount.Our upcoming elections are scheduled for June 13, 2024, providing all eligible members with an opportunity to cast their votes and have a say in our cooperative’s leadership. Your voice matters, and we encourage you to participate in this democratic process.In addition to our commitment to good governance, our cooperative is equally excited about another transformative project. We are actively working on the installation of fiber to rural communities in the Eastern part of the state, ensuring that these areas have access to high-speed internet and the opportunities that come with it. Our dedicated crews are tirelessly deploying fiber to both residential and commercial properties in these unserved and underserved regions.We have received numerous heartfelt expressions of gratitude from the communities we are connecting, and we are proud to be a part of their journey toward a brighter digital future. This project exemplifies our cooperative’s commitment to community development and bridging the digital divide.“My employer requires a specific internet speed and hardwire for me to work from home. Living in a rural area, especially during the winter, can be a challenge for me to get into work. With BEK’s fiber, I can easily work from home when I need to!” – Pam Gregerson – Alice, NDTogether, we are shaping a future where all members can thrive, and our cooperative remains a pillar of strength in our communities. Thank you for your unwavering support, and please stay engaged as we move closer to our elections in June. Your active participation is what makes our cooperative truly special.

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP 3Welcome to the newest members of BEK Communications Cooperative in District 5! We’re thrilled to have you on board as part of our growing family. To those seeking membership who live in the newly established district service area and who have internet and/or phone services, please note that these two qualifications are just the beginning. To become an OFFICIAL member, please be sure to complete and submit the New Membership Form, which you can conveniently find online at www.forms.bek.coop/membership.Thank you for choosing to become part of the BEK Communications Cooperative family. Become an ocial member today, and begin enjoying all the benefits that come with being part of a cooperative!The 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 71 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 BurlackWishekJANUARY 2024Become An Ocial BEK Member Today!Scan the QR code or visit forms.bek.coop/membershipVisit our oce to receive a complimentary “COOP STRONG” t-shirt as a thank you for completing your form.Fill out the Cooperative Membership Form today.Sunday, January 21 at 8:00pmTrue Crime Stories of the MidwestBEK TV PREMIER

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP4Bullinger, Carol 663-7110 CenterDoll, Nikki 877-1157 MandanJohnson, Tom 754-4141 NapoleonLang, Andrew 754-2933 TappenNieuwsma, Heather 336-2433 StrasburgRiden, Lucile 845-1586 Valley CitySubway 845-5489 Valley CityNEW PHONE LISTINGSNAME PHONE CITY The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) is pleased to announce that it has awarded grants to three community organizations within the BEK service area. RDFC is a North Dakota nonprofit whose member-owners are cooperatives serving rural North Dakota, like BEK. Together, they are committed to supporting local initiatives and community development projects.The following organizations have been selected as recipients of RDFC grants:Kidder County Lego League - $1,700These funds will be utilized to purchase educational kits, benefiting 2nd through 7th graders by helping them acquire essential literacy, math, and social-emotional development skills. The FIRST Lego League empowers students of all ages, teaching them valuable life skills and fostering a passion for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.Wishek Public Schools - $800The school plans to use it’s grant dollars to enhance the sound system in the gymnasium. This improvement will significantly boost sound quality during various events, including theatrical performances, music concerts, community programs, and sporting events, enriching the overall experience for students, sta, and the community.Steele Volunteer Fire District - $500The department will use the money towards the purchase of a state-of-the-art multi-gas monitor that will play a crucial role in enhancing firefighter safety. This device is equipped with audible, visual, and vibrational alarms to alert firefighters in the event of a gas leak. Additionally, it can measure gas and oxygen levels in the air.Communities within the BEK service area are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $3,000 for community-based projects. To learn more, visit ndarec.com/content/rdfc-rural-development-finance-corporation. You can apply online at bek.coop/coop/rdfc-online-app.RDFC Grants AwardedAvailable on mobile and popular streaming devices includingiOS, AppleTV, Android, Google TV, FireTV & Roku.*LIVE ANDON-DEMANDBEK TV+ app oerslive and on-demandND sports, newsand commentary.Watch anytime,anywhere!

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP 5BEK acknowledges that students are a big part of the communities we serve. That’s why our Community Partnership Program has been providing scholarships for college-bound students for more than 25 years.If you are a BEK Communications Cooperative member or BEK Fiber customer, or if you are a dependent of a member or customer, you may apply for one of the following scholarships:Foundation of Rural Service (FRS) | $1,500 - $7,000 Deadline: February 16, 2024 For rural students entering their first year of college or vocational-technical school.BEK Communications | (9) $500 scholarships awarded Deadline: March 1, 2024 For 2024 graduating seniors entering their first year of college or vocational-technical school.University of Mary | (2) $1,250 scholarships awarded Deadline: February 1, 2024 Current or new students pursuing a Mass Communications or Computer Information system (or similar) degreeValley City State University | $1,250 - $2,500 awarded Deadline: February 14, 2024 Current or new students pursuing a technology-related degreeTo learn more, or to apply, visit bek.coop/coop/scholarshipsBEK Communications is pleased to provide this annual update to our members and customers, as an important service and as required by the Federal Communications Commission.The National Do-Not-Call Registry gives you a choice and a voice. You can choose whether or not you wish to receive telemarketing calls via your home and/or mobile phone(s).Once you register, commercial telemarketers are not permitted to call any residential or mobile number you list on the registry. The only exception is a business with whom you have an existing relationship as well as certain non-profit and political organizations.To register any residential telephone number, including wireless, on the National Do-Not-Call Registry, at no cost to you:• Calling from the number you wish to register, dial 1.888.382.1222• For TTY, and calling from the number you wish to register, dial 1.866.290.4236• Or, register online at www.donotcall.govInclusion of your telephone number on the National Do-Not-Call Registry is eective thirty-one (31) days following registration.• If you receive an unwanted call after your number has been on the registry for 31 days or more, you may report this to the Federal Trade Commission using their online form at www.donotcall.gov/report.html#step1.You may remove your number from the list at any time.Scholarship OpportunitiesNational Do-Not-Call RegistryAvailable on mobile and popular streaming devices includingiOS, AppleTV, Android, Google TV, FireTV & Roku.*LIVE ANDON-DEMANDBEK TV+ app oerslive and on-demandND sports, newsand commentary.Watch anytime,anywhere!

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP6all NEW return of made local in JAN!bek.newsThe Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service.The Affordable Connectivity Program provides: • Up to $30/month discount for broadband serviceThe Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.Who is Eligible?A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the following criteria:• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program;• Participates in one of these assistance programs: • SNAP • Medicaid • Federal Public Housing Assistance • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • WIC • Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits • or LifelineCheck out fcc.gov/ACP for a Consumer FAQ and other program resources.Two Steps to Enroll1. Go to AffordableConnectivity.gov to submit an application or print out a mail-in application; and2. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete.Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.Aordable Connectivity Program Helping Households Connect

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP 7all NEW return of made local in JAN!bek.newsDIRECTIONS:1. Brown ground beef, and drain grease. 2. Boil tortellini until floating; drain.3. Add both sauces to hamburger and stir.4. Combine tortellini noodles and sauce mixture, and pour into a baking dish.5. Cover with shredded parmesan cheese, and bake at 375° for 10-15 minutes. Tortellini BakeSUBMITTED BY: PATTY MOCH FROM KINTYRE, NDINGREDIENTS:1 lb. ground beef1 jar alfredo sauce1 jar spaghetti sauce2 pkgs. tortellini8 oz. shredded parmesan cheeseSubmit your favorite recipe to Dakota Table by mailing it to: PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482 or email marketing@bektel.coopRecipes will be randomly drawn for a chance to be published in the Beacon.Submit a recipe to Dakota Table. If we publish your recipe, we will mail you some kitchen goodies!

BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE200 East Broadway, PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482ECRWSS LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER1On what date does BEK TV’s new program “Midwest Murder” begin?2How many community organizations received 2023 RDFC grants?3TRIVIA ENTRYENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 26, 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 DECEMBER WINNERSBEACON TRIVIALarry Walth | WishekMary Nieuwsma | StrasburgCorbley J. Ogren | LintonJean Swanson | BraddockConstance Aman | WishekDebra Sorsen | GrandinSue Marquart | BaldwinJulie Fornshell | BismarckSarah Berndt | WiltonFrancis Kuhn | PettiboneAnna Mary Dockter | LintonGeorge Kirick | WiltonBarb Knutson | McKenzieMarcella Lang | NapoleonLaura Holzer | LintonMarie Feist | ZeelandSusan Gimbel | HazeltonPhylis Benz | MandanKenneth Harter | SteeleKeith Jacobson | HopeWhat document must you submit to become an official BEK Member?