In 1987, NDTOA established the Mr. Township Award which was
dedicated to the founder of our organization – Hank Weber of
Casselton, North Dakota. The name of the award was later
changed to the Grassroots Leadership Award to recognize the many
female township officers in our state.
This award was presented to a township officer who, through his or
her actions, had served their township, their community and/or
their state with exceptional service.
The first recipient was Jim Braaten from Crary, Ramsey County, in
1987. Click here to see all past
Mr. Township recipients.
Legislator of the Year Award
Legislative success requires friends in the legislative arena.
This award program was established to reward, on an annual basis,
one of those legislators who have been of great help to the NDTOA.
These awards are given at the annual meeting awards banquet. Each
winner has a chance to be recognized in the presence of as many
township officers as are assembled at the annual meeting and
convention. The award recipient is given a plaque and are invited
to address the NDTOA membership.
The qualifications to receive this award depend on if the
legislator has been a repeated sponsor, co-sponsor or defended in
committee or on the floor of their house, township endorsed bills.
Senator David O’Connell, a township officer from the Lansford
area, was the first award winner.
Click here to
see all past Legislator of the Year recipients
************ Mr. Township / Grassroots Leadership Award recipients
1987 Jim Braaten, Crary, Ramsey County
1988 Leo Gray, Hankinson, Richland County
1989 John Oxton, Hope, Steele County
1990 Nolan Verwest, Finley, Steele County
1991 Richard Leet, Starkweather, Ramsey County
1992 Wilfred Jorgenson, Lisbon, Ransom County
1993 Russell Haas, Tolna, Nelson County
1994 Ken Yantes, Starkweather, Ramsey County
1995 Henning Anderson
1996
1997 Roy Werner, Jamestown, Stutsman County
1998 Chuck Thacker, Neche, Pembina County
1999 Leo Mock, Braddock, Kidder County
2000 John Steinberger, Renville County
2001 Joel Storsteen, Churches Ferry, Ramsey County
2002 Richard Heuchert, St Thomas, Pembina County
2003 Helen Frichie, Benson County
2004 Ralph Olson, Maddock, Benson County
2005 Eugene Kubat, Brocket, Walsh County
2006 Victor Anderson, Benson County
2007 Ralph Menke, Felson Township, Pembina County
2008 Edmund J. and Edward B Gumeringer, Alexander Township, Pierce
County
2009 Melvin Jensen, Osnabrock Township, Cavalier County
2010 Gordon Rugland, Idaho Township, Mountrail County
2011 Donny Malcomb, Berthold, Williams County
******* North Dakota Legislator of the Year recipients
1997 Senator David O’Connell, Lansford
1998 Senator John Andrist, Crosby
1999 Senator Judy Lee, West Fargo
2000 Senator Jerome Kelsh, Fullerton
2001 Representative Bruce Eckre, Wahpeton
2002 Senator Elroy Lindaas, Mayville
2003 Representative Robin Weisz, Hurdsfield
2004 Senator Dwight Cook, Mandan
2005 Representative Wesley Belter, Leonard
2006 Representative Gil Herbel, Grafton
2007 Senator Curtis Olafson, Edinburg
2008 Representative Lee Kaldor, Mayville
2009 Representative Robin Weisz, Hurdsfield
2010 Senator Gary Lee, Casselton
2011 Representative David Monson, Osnabrock
