October 2026: Cooperative Month

Each October, we have the opportunity to celebrate being a cooperative, and all its member benefits.

Co-ops have a warm and inviting nature, just like a good cup of coffee. Our shared values, our principles, our commitment and our members all make DRN the perfect blend.

DRN is a cooperative built by people in the communities it serves. We believe in democracy, people over profits and high-quality service for you and your neighbors. We believe in the people who live and work here and believe they should have the power to make decisions that affect them.

In 1950, a group came together to form Dickey Rural Telephone Cooperative, the first telephone cooperative to be formed in North Dakota. We are proud to still be serving members 76 years later—with telephone, internet, TV, and IT managed services.

Many years later, we remain a cooperative guided by the seven cooperative principles. Our principles are what make us strong and help our community flourish.

In fact, belonging to a co-op is like choosing to invest in a local roaster, instead of a national chain. Both are great, but they’re different. Supporting local is the most direct way to reinvest into our own community.

Read below perks (principles) of belonging to a co-op.

DRN strives to live these principles every day, not just in October.

Thanks to all our members for being a part of what makes us strong, bold, and bright.