June 2011

Rural TelephoneService Company, Inc. 145 North Main • Lenora, KS 67645 v.785.567.4281 • f.785.567.4401 Toll Free 877.567.7872 email: rts@ruraltel.net OfficeHours:M-F,8a.m.-5:30p.m. CEO/General Manager Larry E. SevierRural Connection StaffAward-winningmembernewsletterpublishedmonthlybyRuralTelephoneServiceCompany,Inc. Executive Editor SteveHerrs ManagingEditor Andrea Keesee

Contributors ChrisNorris DeborahAnderson RaleenGrandy Sara Bloom Tara Turner

IN THIS ISSUE:C NEx-TECH

NEx-GENERATiON iNTERNSC NEx-TECH DiRECTORY

YELLOW PAGE ADVERTiSiNG SALES ARE ENDiNG SOON

C LOCAL SENiORS AWARDED SCHOLARSHiPS

C NEx-TECH WiRELESSC FEDERAL UNiVERSAL

SERViCE FUND iS KEY TO ECONOMiC DEVELOPMENT

C CONSTRUCTiON...CONSTRUCTiON...AND MORE CONSTRUCTiON TOPS ANNUAL MEETiNG TOPiCS

C DON'T FORGET TO COMPLETE YOUR CUSTOMER SURVEY!

C LiGHTNiNG JACK WiNNERS

C NEW DiRECTORY LiSTiNGS

C GREEN REWARDS

Six area high school students will be participating in the inaugural Nex-Tech Nex-Generation internship Program this summer. Beginning June 6, and continuing for nine weeks, the students will receive hands-on experiences in a variety of technical and non-technical fields. Upon completion of the program, students will have gained valuable skills that will help with their transition from the classroom to a career.

The Nex-Generation interns will work with and learn from Nex-Tech/Rural

Telephone business professionals in a fast-paced work environment. Along with a competitive salary, interns will also receive a new laptop that will be theirs to keep!

Nex-Generation internship applicants submitted a resume and a cover letter, from which finalists were selected and interviewed by a panel of judges. After reviewing the applications and interviews, six interns were chosen for six different career tracks.

The six students chosen for the intern-ship opportunity are Katlyn Baughman,

Stockton; Derek Erbert, Hays; Haley Graham, Almena; Jill Hertel, Hays; William Patton, Phillipsburg; and Zane Swafford, Hays.

Jacque Beckman, Youth Services Com-munity Development Coordinator, is look-ing forward to working with the interns. “The goal for this program is to educate the students on how state-of-the-art technology is working for our company, and to show them they don’t have to leave western Kansas to gain a challenging and rewarding career.”

Derek ErbertJill Hertel

Zane Swaf ord

Katlyn Baughm

an

William

Patton

Haley Graham

Nex-Tech Directory Yellow Page Advertising Sales Are Ending Soonit's not too late! if you would like to advertise in the Nex-Tech Directory and have not been contacted,

please call 877-883-9279 to speak to a directory Sales Representative.

Nex-Tech Nex-Generation Interns Jump Into Action June 6

Local Seniors Awarded Scholarships

Federal Universal Service Fund Is Key To Economic Developmentin the past decade, billions of dollars

have been spent building out facilities that support faster and bigger internet capabili-ties. As a result of this investment, most of us are able to enjoy ever speedier internet connections and greater bandwidth for downloads that include video, photos, even super high resolution services that support advanced health care applications. Wheth-er these applications are being delivered via mobile devices or wired directly into your home or business, one fact is true – at some point they all rely on a wired broad-band infrastructure.

Here, in north central and western Kan-sas, we have invested millions of dollars in our networks in the past five years. This infrastructure supports wireless services, new educational resources, and the small businesses that we all see every day. These same small businesses are working hard

now to grow by incorporating new tech-nologies into their businesses.

This network deployment has been supported by a federal program called the Universal Service Fund. This is not a taxpayer-funded program, but the govern-ment administers it. it’s not often that we hear about a government program that’s actually worked. But the Universal Service program has worked well. in a well-inten-tioned effort to modernize the program, the Federal Communications Commission is evaluating the rules that govern de-ployment of these broadband systems by companies like ours, Rural Telephone/Nex-Tech. The Universal Service fund has long ensured that customers who live in small towns and rural areas receive the same quality of communications service at rates that are similar to those charged to custom-ers in more densely populated areas, that

are easier and cheaper to serve. it would be tragic if, in a rush to review and revise, the federal government harmed one of the programs whose success is so obvious.

So, how can you help? First, recognize that the intricate array of communications services we’ve come to expect - mobile, texting, video, data, apps – all of these ride on a system of wired networks that we are busy upgrading as fast and cost-effectively as possible. Second, please let your Sena-tors and Congressman know that you support the Universal Service system and the rights of customers in small towns like ours to continue to receive the same level of communications services at the same price as our neighbors in urban communities. it’s vital to our future and our community that the federal government gets this one right.

Billy Broeckelman, Norton Community High School senior, is one of five recipients nationally, of the Bob Adkisson Scholarship Award. The $1,500 Bob Adkisson Scholarship is presented by the Western Telecommunications Alliance Foundation, inc., to children of parents who are employed by a Western Telecommunications Al-liance member company, and who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, integrity and commitment to education. Billy is the son of Jim and Tami Broeckelman, Norton, who are both employed by Rural Telephone/Nex-Tech. Billy plans to attend Kansas State University.

Chad Michael Uhrich, a Trego Community High School senior was chosen to be a recipient of one of five $500 scholarships from PRiMO (Public Relations independent Marketing Organiza-tion). Uhrich joined three other Kansans and one student from Missouri in accepting the award. Each recipient was sponsored by an independent telephone company and plans to attend an ac-credited Kansas university, college or technical school.

Rural Telephone/Nex-Tech sponsored Uhrich, an honor student who has been active in football, tennis, basketball, and student council. He plans to major in communications technology at Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland.

Chad has a strong work ethic at school, in his community, and at work. “i feel that my school efforts and work ethics have given me the positive characteristics that will help me succeed in the future,” commented Uhrich.

PRiMO is an organization founded in 1992. The organization consists of the mar-keting and public relations employees of independent telephone companies across Kansas and the surrounding states.

Chad Michael Uhrich, WaKeeney

Billy Broeckelman, Norton

for Nex-Tech Wireless Customer Service

Dial 611Dial 611™

DIALING 611 IS A FREE CALL!It does not use any of your monthly minutes!

Call 611 to:· Make a Payment by Phone· Inquire about Your Wireless Bill· Add/Remove a Feature· Change Your Calling Plan· Ask General Questions

www.nex-techwireless.com

Help Lightning Jack® find his “Lightning!” it is hidden in the Rural Connection every month.

To enter to win, simply write your name and phone number on a 3 x 5 card along with where “Lightning” is located in the

Rural Connection. Return this information with your payment by the 10th of the month.

Three winners of $10 gift certifi-cates will be drawn each month from all correct entries.

LightningJackisaregisteredtrademarkofNex-Tech,Inc.

Virginia S. Hanchett Hill City

Gilbert Hobrock Natoma

Rosie Kreutzer Victoria

In the May issue: Lightning Jack’s lightning was located on page two in the bottom of the Training Services schedule.

May WINNERSCan You Find

Federal Universal Service Fund Is Key To Economic Development

Construction…Construction…And More Construction Tops Annual Meeting TopicsRural Telephone’s 60th Annual Meeting was held April 29 at the

Hoxie High School Auditorium. The meeting was called to order with a greeting from Board President Frank Brungardt. The cooperative’s 2010 activities and financial report were presented through a news video created by the media staff. Board Secretary/Treasurer Phyllis Weller gave a report from the nominating committee, followed by the election of trustees. Trustees elected to three year terms were: James C. Harries of WaKeeney, representing Zone 2 including the Morland, Selden, Rexford and WaKeeney exchanges; Ron Rahjes of Kensington, representing Zone 6, including the Agra, Kensington, Athol, Gaylord, Lebanon, Esbon and Burr Oak exchanges; and F. C. Brungardt of Vic-toria, representing Zone 8, including the Victoria, Galatia and Olmitz exchanges.

A video presentation was provided by the participants of the Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. Rural Telephone and Nex-Tech scholarship winners were also recognized. Board President Frank Brungardt presented awards for employee years of service.

Larry Sevier, CEO/General Manager of Rural Telephone/ Nex-Tech, recounted some of the major accomplishments and milestones of the cooperative during the past 20 years in his report to the membership. Utilizing an illustrative and informative slide presentation, Sevier traced the organization’s significant growth in deregulated services, revenue, and economic and community devel-opment initiatives.

With an eye to the future, the CEO/General Manager updated the membership on the organization’s three-year $101 million broadband construction project, which will build or rebuild broadband facili-ties in 21 communities and 26 rural areas, including 355 community anchor institutions, such as schools, libraries and government offices covering 4,600 square miles in north central and western Kansas.

Sevier indicated the cooperative continues to expand its fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) service footprint, bringing more businesses and residents online each year. He indicated FTTP offers virtually unlimited bandwidth and a host of state-of-the-art video services. He introduced a short video from Corning called ‘A Day Made Of Glass’ which provided a vision of what the world could be like with informa-tion literally at our fingertips.

The evening concluded with door prize drawings for service gift certificates and electronics.

Prior to the annual meeting, attendees were treated to instrumen-tal selections from “Tx3.” Tx3 is a trio of siblings from Hays: Tristan, Tanner and Trinity Callis. A very popular feature held in conjunction with the pre-meeting registration was the Rural Telephone/Nex-Tech “Tech Zone”. The Tech Zone introduced members to the types of advanced services available with Nex-Tech Digital TV, High-Speed internet, Nex-Tech Wireless, Nex-Tech Mobile Radio and Brainy Bunch Home Technology solutions.

2011 Annual Meeting Prize Winners $ 50 NTW: Gloria Braun, Victoria $100 NTW: Rex Carswell, Selden $100 RT/NT: Lu Neunschwander, Hoxie $100 RT/NT: Ronald Keith, Hill City $100 RT/NT: Gilbert Frieling, Gaylord $100 RT/NT: Joyce Jamison, Grainfield $200 RT/NT: Karen Frieling, Gaylord $200 RT/NT: Helen Normandin, Damar $200 RT/NT: Diane Hooper, Bogue $300 RT/NT: Agnes Winter, Hoxie

$300 RT/NT: Donald Acheson, Morland $300 RT/NT: Susan Plunk, Lenora

Laptop: Ronald Braun, VictoriaTV: Ramona Overlease, Norton

Early Bird DrawingsLaptop: Pauline Goeken, LenoraTV: Mary L Zerr, Grainfield

Pictured top to bottom:

Members and their children register and attend the Tech Zone prior to the Annual Meeting.

TX3 performing before the Annual Meeting.

Dan Long, Construction/Combination Technician II, received recognition for his 34-years of service and upcoming retirement from CEO/General Manager Larry Sevier.

The Annual Meeting Door Prize Winners.

Store Locations:Downs • 901 N. Morgan Ave. • Downs, KS 67437 v.785.454.6025 • f.785.454.6099 • Toll Free.866.454.7872Great Bend • 3705 10th or 1810 Broadway Ave • Great Bend, KS 67530 v.620.792.3908 • f.620.792.5505 • Toll Free.866.792.7872Hays • 2418 Vine • Hays, KS 67601 v.785.625.7070 • f.785.625.4479 • Toll Free.877.625.7872Hill City • 118 W. Main • Hill City, KS 67642 v.785.421.2916 • f.785.421.2917• Toll Free.877.421.7872Hoxie • 825 Main • Hoxie, KS 67740 v.785.675.2400 • f.785.675.2008• Toll Free.888.675.7872Norton • 117 N. Norton • Norton, KS 67654 v.785.877.4135 • f.785.874.4497 • Toll Free.877.550.7872Osborne • 221 W. Main • Osborne, KS 67473 v.785.346.2199 • f.785.346.2499 • Toll Free.877.643.7872Phillipsburg • 770 4th • Phillipsburg, KS 67661 v.785.543.6694 • f.785.543.5362 • Toll Free.866.543.6694Plainville • 112 S. Main • Plainville, KS 67663 v.785.434.4946 • f.785.434.2053 • Toll Free.866.551.7872Quinter • 1127 Castle Rock • Quinter, KS 67752 v.785.754.2108 • f.785.754.2125 • Toll Free.877.750.7872Russell • 238 E. Wichita • Russell, KS 67665 v.785.483.5555 • f.785.483.5550 • Toll Free.866.383.6773Smith Center • 705 N. F • Smith Center, KS 66967 v.785.282.3535 • f.785.282.3539 • Toll Free.866.419.6439Stockton • 523 Main • Stockton, KS 67669 v.785.425.6750 • f.785.425.6539 • Toll Free.877.425.6750WaKeeney • 137 Main • WaKeeney, KS 67672 v.785.743.2747 • f.785.743.2777 • Toll Free.877.743.7872

Board of TrusteesF.C. Brungardt, President Galatia • Olmitz • Victoria

Jim Harries, Vice President Morland • Rexford • Selden • WaKeeney

Phyllis Weller, Secretary/Treasurer Hill City • Jennings • Lenora

Ron Rahjes, Assistant Secretary Agra • Athol • Burr Oak • Esbon • Gaylord • Ionia • Kensington • Lebanon

Glenn Lambert, Trustee Courtland • Damar • Natoma • Palco • Republic • Webber • Woodston • Zurich

Douglas Ziegler, Trustee Collyer • Gove • Grainfield • Quinter

Jerry Patterson, Trustee Edmond • Logan • Long Island • Prairie View • Woodruff

Don Heiland, Trustee Alton • Downs • Osborne

Peggy Chrisler, Trustee Russell

www.ruraltelephone.com | www.nex-tech.com

Rural TelephoneService Company, Inc. 145 North Main • Lenora, KS 67645 v.785.567.4281 • f.785.567.4401 Toll Free 877.567.7872 email: rts@ruraltel.net OfficeHours:M-F,8a.m.-5:30p.m. CEO/General Manager Larry E. SevierRural Connection StaffAward-winningmembernewsletterpublishedmonthlybyRuralTelephoneServiceCompany,Inc. Executive Editor SteveHerrs ManagingEditor Andrea Keesee

Contributors ChrisNorris DeborahAnderson RaleenGrandy Sara Bloom Tara Turner

newDirectory

Listings

Ashby, Clinton, Downs ................................................................. 785-454-3397 Barb Pitcock Unlimited, Russell ................................................... 785-483-2250 Barbs School of Dance, Russell ..................................................... 785-483-2250 Bolton, Sharon, Gove .................................................................. 785-938-2224 Breit, Tom, Agra ......................................................................... 785-638-2394 Brooks, Irene, Logan ................................................................... 785-689-4691 Espresso Etc LLC, Russell .............................................................. 785-445-4055 Garcia, M, Long Island ................................................................. 785-854-7406 Johnson, S, WaKeeney ................................................................ 785-743-2114 Kolder, Katrin, Russell ................................................................. 785-445-3416 Nauert, Jaycee, Russell ................................................................ 785-445-3513 Neal, Brenda, Russell .................................................................. 785-445-3481 Osborn, Rayleen, Logan .............................................................. 785-689-4347* Sneath, Virgil, Quinter ................................................................ 785-754-2226 Stubbs, Keith, Grainfield ............................................................. 785-673-4808 Womble, Ronald, Downs ............................................................. 785-454-3405* Denotes a Fax Line

Rural Telephone/Nex-Tech appreciates all customer comments and occasionally we hear the question, “Does Rural Telephone/Nex-Tech reward its existing customers?” The answer is YES! Existing customers are rewarded in a number of ways, whether it is customer appre-ciation picnics, community events or promotions through the Rural Telephone/ Nex-Tech Facebook page. Two major campaigns that benefit existing customers are the Buddy System and Green Rewards.

The Buddy System is a referral program which allows customers to refer their friends and family members to Rural Telephone/Nex-Tech services. Once their referred friend has had service for three months, the customer gets a $100 credit on their bill! This is just one way for customers to earn big with Rural Telephone/Nex-Tech.

Green Rewards gives customers who pay their bill on time an opportunity to win $50! Each month these customers are automatically entered into a drawing in which ten winners each month are randomly chosen. See below for the most recent Green Rewards winners.

Current Customers Get Rewarded Too!

February WinnersHollie Wilber – Smith CenterAaron Taylor – GrainfieldJoe Brown – HaysBrad Harding – NortonJeff Rose – AgraTamera Petz – SchoenchenRoss and Marilyn Carder – HoxieJerry Wisinger – PhillipsburgEarlin Mai – RussellLucille Reynolds - Osborne

March WinnersWayne Davis – NortonJoe Johnson – Hill CityMelissa Hadley – JenningsLilly Zeman – WaKeeneyLeveda Hahn – OsborneCharles Gebhard – PhillipsburgJames Hayden – Great BendDennis Spresser – DresdenJoann Reid – Smith CenterScott Bird - Quinter

April WinnersSascha Kammer – HaysDeanna James – PhillipsburgVerdyne Kugler – Smith CenterBill Ray – NortonMike Meis – CatharineChase Bauer – Great BendGeorge Axelson – RussellPaul Coleman – LebanonAmanda Ransom – AlmenaJim Mader - Jennings