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Industry Governance Review - Communique #4

 
 
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 The Industry Governance Review continues to engage organizations and individuals across the agriculture sector in developing principles and models that improve coordination and collaboration. In addition to the 20 boards and commissions, the working group has met with following groups:
  1. Alberta Community and Co-operatives Association
  2. Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
  3. Canola Council of Canada
  4. Feed grains cross commodity discussion – crops and livestock
  5. Growing Alberta
  6. Intensive Livestock Working Group
  7. Irrigation Council
  8. Keystone Agricultural Producers
  9. Landscape and Nursery Trades Association
  10. Manitoba Marketing Council
  11. Prairie Oat Growers Association
  12. Pulse Canada
  13. Research and development cross-commodity discussion
  14. Wild Rose Agricultural Producers
  15. Western Barley Development Council
  16. Western Grains Research Foundation

Industry Meetings Almost Complete
All nine of the proposed industry meetings went ahead. The discussion and cross commodity perspectives at the meetings have been excellent. This phase of work is about sharing what we heard and focusing on discussions about governance principles, which will lead to the successful implementation of models and practices that support those principles. Your input continues to be essential as the review moves forward. Please have your comments on the governance principles forwarded to us by September 1st, via email or by calling Freda Molenkamp-Oudman at (780) 644-1507.

Key Learnings
Themes have emerged from the evolving dialogue with boards and commissions and other industry stakeholders. Our changing culture is one of the big issues facing organizations in our society as a whole (not just agriculture). After World War II, there was a strong community spirit and group participation thrived. Today, many of these groups, including Legions, Elks, Lions, etc, struggle to recruit new members. There has been a shift from working with others for the common good to looking after individual needs. “If I have 5 extra hours, I would sooner do something for me than work with others towards some betterment for all of society.” These attitudes impact boards/commissions and associations in the agricultural industry in these areas:
  • Finding effective leadership.
  • Youth involvement.
  • Perceived relevance of services to members.
  • Good governance practices.
  • Communication.
  • Inexperienced board members.
  • Disengaged members (too busy).
  • Lack of resources to enable the organizations to complete the required work.

A way to address these challenges is to talk to members of organizations that do not share these same struggles (or the same magnitude). Clinton Dobson is taking the lead on researching success stories from other jurisdictions.

Producer Discussion Groups
The Industry Governance working group will be meeting with producers throughout the province over the next three months to discuss these very issues. We would like to hear if other organizations have questions about producer concerns and needs. Email your question ideas to Freda Molenkamp-Oudman by September 1st, 2007. These questions will be considered in the preparation of materials for the Industry Governance producer discussion groups. A random group of producers will be selected through the Ag-Info line to participate in these small discussion groups.

Need more information?
Our website offers access to communiqués, and presentations related to the Industry Governance Review. It is a great place to find more information. Please feel free to contact me or the other working group members with your concerns, questions and comments.

Best regards,


Don Macyk
Chair

The Industry Governance Review Working Group
Marketing Council Members
Don Macyk
Kenton Ziegler
Doris Ludlage
    (780) 427-2164
    (403) 947-2508
    (780) 724-4118
Marketing Council Staff:
Jackson Gardner
Freda Molenkamp-Oudman
Clinton Dobson
Mike Pearson
Maryann Urbanowski
    (780) 422-1243
    (780) 644-1507
    (780) 422-1921
    (780) 427-2164
    (780) 427-1200
Agriculture and Food staff:
Bob Prather
Martine Bolinger
    (780) 427-4244
    (780) 980-4230
Framework Partners Inc:
Donna Finley (process consultant)
  
 
 
 
For more information about the content of this document, contact Freda Molenkamp-Oudman.
This document is maintained by Maryann Urbanowski.
This information published to the web on August 27, 2007.