Member Engagement Opportunities // September 2025 CEO Column
Suddenly, we find that summer has come to a close; it always seems to happen a little sooner every year. And, while we may hang onto warm weather for a few more weeks, LREC staff and our Board of Directors have already begun shifting gears to focus on the challenges that lie in the months ahead and providing reliability and financial stability through the end of this year.
That said, I’d like to take a minute to share the ways in which we were able to interact with our member-owners over the last month — events we feel represent our commitment to improving the lives we serve and connecting on a more personal level. It’s connections like these that will further open lines of communication as we continue to partner together to build the best possible outcomes for our cooperative.
Memorable August activities worth mentioning include the following:
MN Twins Baseball Clinic: Held this year on August 1st in Parkers Prairie, this free annual event provides youth from communities in our service area the opportunity to receive in-person skills training on the fundamentals of the sport and affirmation of the importance of practice, perseverance, and teamwork. Led by Twins staff — with a big assist from local athlete and parent volunteers — approximately 75 boys and girls attended the two-hour session of fielding, hitting, and conditioning drills and finished the day with a take-home bag. Thank you to everyone who made it out and especially the MN Twins, Great River Energy, and Parkers Prairie High School for sponsoring and helping to host this incredible event!
LREC Member Appreciation Event: New venue, new ways to say ‘thank you.’ This year’s event, held August 7th at Phelps Mill Park, featured a different backdrop for the day. In addition to the free park entry, meal, and safety demonstrations from LREC linemen our attendees look forward to every year, new activities included lawn games and tours of this historic local landmark. As the early summer heat and humidity gave way to near-perfect conditions, the park grounds provided ample room for the larger-than-expected turnout to spread out, relax, and visit with neighbors and LREC staff.
We’d like to share our thanks to Phelps Mill Park and the Friends of Phelps Mill for their support in coordinating this event and venue information, and to RESCO for their help with grilling duties. And, of course, to all our members who took the time to join us. We truly enjoyed this opportunity to meet you in person and share our appreciation for your partnership. We look forward to seeing even more of you next year!
August 29th Blood Drive: As an active reflection of the Concern for Community cooperative principle, LREC hosted a blood drive at the Pelican Rapids office for the second time this year. Responding to the call for donations posted in newsletters and online, members of the surrounding area and LREC staff took the time to offer the gift of life, truly stepping up to be a hero by giving blood.
Each of these events strengthens our relationship with communities we serve and, through your engagement, demonstrates what makes our cooperative different from other utilities. As your new CEO, I’m grateful for the chance to shake your hand and further introduce myself. I look forward to working together as we prepare to enter this change of seasons.
Cooperatively yours, Joel Janorschke, CEO