Charity Grant to Gowrie Police

The City of Gowrie Police Department is the recipient of an Aureon Charity Grant to invest in technology for the new police cruiser.

The grant application requested funds to go towards a new laptop, one of many pieces of equipment that will be used within the new patrol car. This laptop is essential to keep officers connected with all digital tasks and information such as shift logs, citations, case management and working with other agencies.

Aureon is committed to advancing Iowa communities and invites public and non-profit agencies throughout the Webster-Calhoun service area to submit proposals for consideration in assisting with charity drives and funding specific projects. Most awards range from $250 to $1,500. Quarterly grant applications are specifically available through local independent telephone companies like Webster-Calhoun throughout Iowa.

The Aureon Charity Grant Program was established to increase service and support to rural independent telephone companies and the communities they serve. Applications are considered on a quarterly basis and available to organizations within the WCCTA service area.

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association provides Landline Telephone, Digital TV and Internet service to 20 rural communities on a Fiber driven network just outside the Fort Dodge, Iowa area: Pilot Mound, Boxholm, Lanyon, Paton, Churdan, Farnhamville, Gowrie, Somers, Moorland, Knierim, Barnum, Clare, Thor, Badger, Vincent, Duncombe and in the towns of Lohrville, Manson, Rockwell City and Lake City. WCCTA is Gigabit Certified and designated a Smart Rural Community by NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association.

Boerner Completes Year as ICA President

This year’s Iowa Communications Alliance Annual Meeting and Expo boasted record attendance and celebrated its 10th meeting of the association. The alliance was formed in 2013, as a result of the unification of two entities, the Iowa Telecommunications Association (ITA) and Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Associations (RIITA).

The Iowa Communications Alliance is the nation’s largest state-based association of community-based broadband providers. ICA members provide and enable high-quality, state-of-the-art communications services to Iowans, leading the state to be among the nation’s leaders in fiber-optic deployment.

In her opening remarks, Marcie Boerner, Webster Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association COO and outgoing ICA President, recognized the strength of the association lies among the membership and leadership within the committee work.

“I can’t say enough about the great people we have in this industry, especially those willing to take on the responsibility of leading committees.  and the engagement of the committee volunteers. They are an extremely important part of the success of the ICA as they drive the content and discussion for policy, advocacy, education and events,” stated Boerner. 

Never Stop Learning

The event included a panel, “Women in Telecom”, moderated by Martha Galley, Chief Customer Success Officer of Calix. Marcie Boerner sat on this panel along with other Iowa women in leadership roles, Andrea Hanson, CEO of Butler Bremer Communications, and Deb Lucht, CEO of Minburn Communications.

It is no secret that the telecommunications industry has been historically male dominated field, which is why the panel was impactful to the attendees. The women shared their experiences and insight into their challenges and successes working in the industry. The overall theme from the discussion was to, “never stop learning”. 

A Chapter Closes 

Boerner’s term was not only a remarkable accomplishment and milestone for herself, but also for the ICA, as she was the first female to serve as Board President in the ICA’s short history. She will remain on the ICA executive committee as Immediate Past President along with Tim Fencl (President from Danville Telecom); Jamie Daubendiek (1st Vice President from Jefferson Telecom) and Tammy Wheeler (2nd Vice President from Farmers Mutual Communications of Moulton). 

During closing ceremonies incoming ICA President, Tim Fencl, presented a plaque to outgoing President, Marcie Boerner, in appreciation of her leadership this past year.

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association provides Landline Telephone, Digital TV and Internet service to 20 rural communities on a Fiber driven network just outside the Fort Dodge, Iowa area: Pilot Mound, Boxholm, Lanyon, Paton, Churdan, Farnhamville, Gowrie, Somers, Moorland, Knierim, Barnum, Clare, Thor, Badger, Vincent, Duncombe and in the towns of Lohrville, Manson, Rockwell City and Lake City.

WCCTA is Gigabit Certified and designated a Smart Rural Community by NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association.

Webster-Calhoun Hosts Annual Meeting of Members “Full Stream Ahead”

March 7, 2023 – GOWRIE, IA

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association held the Annual Meeting of Members on Tuesday evening, March 7th at the Southeast Valley High School gymnasium with a theme of “Full Stream Ahead.”

FORVIS Partner, Jeff Naig, reviewed the financial statement based on the 2022 audit. A bit unusual this year the financials included a negative number in other revenue due to the losses in the financial market as well as a positive number showing income taxes as a benefit based on depreciation of outside investments. Overall, Naig, reviewed another very strong cash flow and balance sheet.

General Manager, Daryl Carlson, reviewed the importance of Universal Service funding for maintaining the network, grants to expand service for WCCTA and our partnership with Platinum Connect in Webster City.

Board President, Alan Jacobson, also spoke about the financial status of the cooperative including the forward thinking on investments, building, and expanding fiber. He expressed an excitement for moving full steam ahead with broadband and appreciation to the membership for their trust in the board.

Board President Alan Jacobson welcomes members to the annual meeting.

Results of the mail ballots re-elected incumbent board members Craig Fillman, Troy Paup and Craig Larson to three-year terms.

COO, Marcie Boerner, went into much more detail about the theme “full stream ahead” reviewing streaming options being used today as well as plans to introduce apps to stream WCCTA TV.

Door prize winners (listed below)

Winners drawn for door prizes included:

  • 55” TV Bryan & Nicole Brown of Gowrie (ballot winner)

  • 55” TV Mike & Nancy McCabe of Clare (ballot winner)

  • 55” TV Steve & Shelley Barrett of Moorland (ballot winner)

  • 65” TV Bryan Chalstrom, Moorland

  • Amazon FireTV Cube, Geraldine Licht, Badger

  • Apple TV Sarah Black, Barnum

  • Amazon Fire 4K Tom Hlubek, Gowrie

  • Gift Certificate to the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad Perry Parker, Churdan