October 10, 2024
Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc.
72nd Annual Meeting
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Wall Community Center
501 Main Street, Wall, SD
Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. | Meeting Called to Order: 10 a.m.
Lunch Provided After Annual Meeting
Door prizes will be drawn during the meeting; must be present to win.
Only single or joint individual members who had a Social Security Number on file with Golden West can use the online voting option.
Below you will find the following:
- Press Release on Golden West's 72nd Annual Meeting
- How to vote in the 2024 elections
- Electing 4 directors to the board
- 2024 Capital credit funds
- Press Release on completion of Golden West's 72nd Annual Meeting
October 10, 2024
Golden West Cooperative members gather
for annual meeting, elect directors
WALL, SD – Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative’s 72nd annual meeting was held at 10 a.m. Sept. 28 at the Community Center in Wall. Members in attendance heard updates about the cooperative and voted to elect candidates for the Board of Directors before concluding the meeting.
Board of Directors president talks about expanding services
After leading members in the Pledge of Allegiance, President Jeff Nielsen introduced the Board of Directors and then provided updates on the cooperative.
“As we look to the future, I’m pleased to report that we are not just maintaining our momentum; we are poised for growth,” said Jeff. “Our initiatives are designed to expand our services and enhance your experience. New programs are tailored to meet your needs, whether that’s helping members control home networks easier, faster speeds, offering online purchases, or engaging in community events.”
Empowering communities
Golden West General Manager and CEO Denny Law spoke about the significant investment Golden West has made in infrastructure to help in the communities it serves.
“Investment in infrastructure is not just about building networks; it is about empowering your communities,” said Law. “Whether you are a small business owner looking to thrive online or a family seeking seamless connectivity for education and entertainment, the cooperative’s fiber-optic network is designed to support your needs and the needs of your community.”
Four directors elected
Four of Golden West’s 15 board seats were up for election this year; all director terms are four years. Those elected include Tanner Handcock of Wall serving District II, Jodi Smith of Vivian serving District III, Ken Tonsager, Jr. of Hot Springs serving District V, and Nate Jones of Dell Rapids serving District IX.
Board members who retired this year were Lee Briggs of Midland who previously represented District III; Stu Marty of Hot Springs who previously represented District V; and Jeff Nielsen of Canistota who previously represented District IX. Golden West thanks them for their respective 28, 12, and 14 years of service to the cooperative.
Record voting numbers
With the introduction of new voting methods this year, more individuals were able to vote in this year’s election than ever before. Votes cast in person at the annual meeting were combined with voting online and by mail.
Some attendees win prizes
Dozens of door prizes were given away including gift cards, beef certificates and cash. Terry and Barbara Wentz of Philip won the $500 grand prize drawing. Members enjoyed a complimentary lunch at restaurants in Wall following the meeting.
Golden West will hold their next annual meeting on Sept. 27, 2025.
Photo Caption: Members of the Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative elected four board members when voting concluded at their annual meeting on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Wall. Pictured from left to right are Tanner Handcock of Wall (District II), Nate Jones of Dell Rapids (District IX), and Jodi Smith of Vivian (District III). Ken Tonsager, Jr., of Hot Springs (District V) is not pictured.
July 19, 2024
Golden West's 72nd Annual Meeting
Includes Updates, Voting, Prizes & Meal
WALL, SD – Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative’s 72nd annual meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 28 at the Community Center in Wall. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Cooperative members who attend the annual meeting on Sept. 28 will hear updates about the cooperative and will vote to elect four board members. Following the meeting, attendees can enjoy lunch compliments of Golden West at one of three local restaurants.
Elect Four Directors
Four of Golden West’s 15 board seats are up for election this year; all director terms are four years. One incumbent seeks re-election in District II. Two candidates are running for one open seat in District III. One candidate is running unopposed for one open seat in District V, with another unopposed candidate running in District IX. Candidates are as follows:
- District II: Tanner Handcock, Unopposed Incumbent
- District III: Terry Hand, Candidate
Jodi Smith, Candidate - District V: Ken Tonsager, Jr., Unopposed Candidate
- District IX: Nate Jones, Unopposed Candidate
See below for director bios and information on how to vote.
How to vote in 2024 elections
For the first time ever, member may vote in the 2024 Board of Directors election online or by mail through September 24, or members may vote in person at the annual meeting. Voting options depend on whether the member is a residential member or non-individual entity.
The Golden West Board of Directors voted to allow additional voting options for the 2024 directors election. The change was made possible by amendments to the organization's articles and bylaws that members approved in recent years.
As a result, this year residential members can vote in advance of the meeting online or by mail. Non-individual entity members have the option to vote before the meeting by mail. Residential members who do not vote in advance may vote in person at the annual meeting. Non-individual entity members may also vote at the annual meeting if they have followed the process detailed below and did not vote in advance.
Residential members
Residential members include both single and joint memberships.
Here’s how to vote starting August 12:
- Vote online. A letter came the week of Aug. 12 with instructions for voting. The letter also listed your Member Number which must be entered preceded by lowercase “gw” to log in to the online voting portal. To vote electronically, members will be authenticated by entering the last four digits of the primary account holder’s social security number also preceded by lowercase “gw.” The primary account holder is the person whose name appears first in the account name on the Golden West bill. Only residential members with a social security number previously provided to Golden West may vote online. For example:
- If your Member Number is 0555055, enter gw0555055 in the Member Number field.
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If your SSN is 555-55-5555, enter gw5555 in the Authentication Code field.
- Request a paper ballot to vote by mail. Contact Golden West between Aug. 12 and Sept. 10, 2024, to request a paper ballot be mailed to you. Complete the ballot and return it in the postage paid envelope provided. Be sure to allow enough mail time, so it arrives by Sept. 24.
- Vote in person at the annual meeting. Any residential member who has not voted in advance may cast a ballot at the meeting. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the community center in Wall.
All ballots cast in advance either electronically or by mail must be received by Tuesday, Sept. 24, to be counted.
Non-individual entity voting
Non-individual entities include businesses, churches, school districts, towns, etc.
Non-individual members must request an Authorization to Vote form from Golden West, complete the form, and return it to the cooperative. To vote by mail, the form must be returned by Tuesday, Sept. 10. To vote at the annual meeting, the form must be returned by 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24. Voting authorization forms received after the deadline or presented the day of the Annual Meeting will not be accepted.
Each non-individual entity shall designate a representative who is an officer, an LLC member, or other senior official with their organization to vote by mail or in person at the annual meeting. The Authorization to Vote form is not a Proxy Statement.
Keeping the election secure, accurate
The cooperative is working with Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) to manage voting before this year’s meeting. SBS provides dependable and secure voting systems for many types of organizations, including cooperatives.
SBS will provide Golden West with certified election results from the electronic and mail-in ballots. Those votes will be combined with ballots cast at the annual meeting for a final count. A three-member balloting committee appointed by the Board of Directors supervises all ballot counting at the annual meeting.
Electing 4 directors to the board
Members of the Golden West Cooperative will elect four members to four-year terms on the Board of Directors. One incumbent seeks re-election in District II. Two candidates are running for one open seat in District III. One candidate is running unopposed for one open seat in District V, with another unopposed candidate running in District IX.
Tanner Handcock – District II, Unopposed Incumbent
Tanner and his wife Kim moved back to Wall in 2009 when he started as a crop insurance agent with Crew Agency, Ltd, in Cactus Flat. Tanner has been a member of the Golden West Board of Directors since 2020, served on the Wall Community Golf Board for nine years, and as president for five years. He has also served as a volunteer coach for tee-ball, baseball, and basketball. He serves on the Greater Wall Foundation Board, the South Dakota Wheat, Inc. Board, and the legislative committee for the Crop Insurance Professionals of America.
Tanner and Kim have four children, Dawson, Hallie, and twins Reese and Davis. When he’s not busy with his kids' activities, Tanner enjoys hunting, fishing, and golfing.
Terry Hand – District III, Candidate
Terry graduated from Stanley County High School. He then attended South Dakota State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in ag business. He has served on the South Dakota Wheat Commission for the last 11 years.
Terry and his wife Christi have three boys that keep them very busy. Terry enjoys hunting, fishing, and attending the boys’ activities
Jodi Smith – District III, Candidate
Before returning to school and starting my career, I was active in our community as a member of different committees and boards including Community Club president, Lyman County Election Board, and Lyman County Lutheran Parish president to name a few.
As we grew our family and after earning my nursing degree, I started work as a registered nurse in Pierre. Throughout my career, I worked as the Lyman County health nurse, a nurse educator for the SD Office of Disease Prevention, and regional health manager for the SD Department of Health in Community Health Services offices. I ended my full-time career as the director of quality for Avera St. Mary’s in Pierre. During my nursing career, I was active in my church, the Lyman School District, and served on the Lyman School Board of Education for 12 years where I was board president for my last term.
I have always loved to be involved in my community, meeting new people, helping others, and learning new things. As a retired, empty-nester, I have the time required to learn and be a hardworking board member. Additionally, I would love to serve as your District III representative on the Golden West Telecommunications Board of Directors.
Ken Tonsager, Jr. – District V, Unopposed Candidate
Ken also enjoyed previously serving 15 years on your Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative Board of Directors where he previously served as the secretary for the Cooperative. Ken looks forward to rejoining the Golden West board and using this extensive background to provide the best service to the cooperative members and its highly trained and dedicated employees.
Ken and his wife Gayle have lived in Hot Springs for the past 44 years where they raised two children. They are now blessed with eight grandchildren. Ken is a member of the Hot Springs Rotary Club, Southern Hills Evangelical Free Church, Hot Springs Cemetery Board, and is a member and Chaplain of the Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department. Ken’s current passions include being a “chaser” in a hot air balloon crew and helping where needed in the community.
Nate Jones – District IX, Unopposed Candidate
Nate grew up in Lake Preston, SD, and attended South Dakota State University where he received his undergraduate in electrical engineering. He later received his MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Nate is a licensed professional engineer in South Dakota.
Nate is a graduate of the Leadership South Dakota program. In his spare time, he is heavily involved in organizing golf and basketball tournaments and currently serves on the Dell Rapids Booster Club as vice president.
Nate would like to take this opportunity to thank you for trusting in his qualifications for the Golden West Board of Directors in District IX. He is excited to apply his expertise in the electric utility industry to the telecommunications industry and help lead Golden West into the future.
2024 Capital credit funds
Co-op members will receive their capital credit payments either as a credit on their Golden West bill or as a check sent by mail ahead of the annual meeting. In line with the cooperative’s performance, Golden West’s Board of Directors approved the return of $6 million in capital credit payments to cooperative members this year. The capital credit retirement consists of $3 million for patronage allocated in 2006 and an additional $3 million for allocations generated in 2023. Members with active service during those years will receive capital credits.
For more information on capital credits, visit goldenwest.com/capitalcredits2024.