The nominating committee plays an integral role in board of director elections by interviewing director applicants to determine those qualified for placement on the annual election ballot. Connexus members serving on the nominating committee receive a stipend and mileage reimbursement and must commit to attending two nominating committee meetings. Nominating committee volunteers cannot run for the board during the election year they are serving.

Each fall, Connexus solicits member volunteers interested in serving on the nominating committee. Members are randomly selected to ensure two primary assignments and one alternate per district.

Our annual meeting was held on April 17, 2025, at our headquarters in Ramsey. Members participated in person and via the live stream on Connexus’ Facebook page.

• Annual meeting agenda

Five students who attended the annual meeting with a Connexus member won a $1,000 scholarship in our new attendance drawing. The names drawn were: Taylor Tupa, Lily Deluca, Olivia Boyum, Joseph Fort and Tyler Vossen.

Members who voted were automatically entered into a prize drawing, and the winners were announced at the annual meeting. The following members won a prize basket: Denise Sonterre (“Watt” a Catch Basket), Mary Ulferts (Get Grilling Basket) and James Vollbaber (Sweet Surprise Basket).

View or download the 2024 Annual Review and 2024 Financial Statements. Videos of reports from the annual meeting are posted below.

Richard Braastad – Incumbent District 2 View Bio	John Donner District 2 View Bio	Mark Ebensteiner District 4 View Bio	Joseph Gruenes – Incumbent District 4 View Bio

Survey & Ballot Systems is an independent tabulation firm that mailed, received and tabulated the 2025 ballots. At our annual meeting on April 17, the results of the board of directors’ election were as follows:

District 2
*Richard Braastad: 5,850 votes / 68.2%
John Donner: 2,730 votes / 31.8%

District 4
Mark Ebensteiner: 3,096 votes / 36.8%
*Joe Gruenes: 5,308 votes / 63.2%

*Incumbent

Total ballots cast were 8,695 or 6.5% of eligible membership.

Articles of incorporation

As a customary business practice, the board of directors conducted a comprehensive review of the cooperative’s Articles of Incorporation to ensure compliance with state statute and alignment with current practices. The Connexus Energy Board of Directors approved the amendments to be placed on the ballot and recommends approval.

Bylaws

The bylaws were revised so they are consistent with Minnesota law, specifically Minn. Stat. Ch. 308A, as well as best practices, and incorporate specific recommendations from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The full text of each is provided so all members have access to each change. They include, but are not limited to: 

Meeting notice for special meetings, annual meetings, or elections; not receiving notice does not invalidate action taken at the meeting; conducting and communication of member meetings, including the program and attendance; the Board’s role in strategic direction and requirement to meet regularly; the President-CEO’s duties; the number of directors and appointment of the same; consequences for failing to be present for good reason; removal of directors for cause; improperly casted votes not being counted; the secrecy of ballots; once a ballot has been cast it cannot be withdrawn; voting being at-large; voting by mail or electronic means for directors; open meeting requirements; board committee authority; indemnification of directors are stated by Minnesota law; publication of regular meetings; committees of the Board; removing descriptions of officers of the Board; removal of officers as determined by the Board; postings regarding patronage capital being on the website and changing references to members; the authority of the Cooperative to secure indebtedness.

See the supplement, "Articles of Incorporation & Bylaws - Proposed Amendments"

Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation amendments passed by more than 90%.

The 2025 directors also elected their officers at the organizational meeting. Those results were:

• Chair – Fran Bator
• Vice Chair – Mark Ethen
• Secretary/Treasurer – Shelly Peterson
• Assistant Secretary/Treasurer – Mike Thews