Board of Directors Meeting

On Saturday, a total of 73 policy measures were considered by NCBA’s Board of Directors, for amendment, renewal or first-time adoption. The only issues prompting contentious debate were a proposed amendment to the association by-laws, and resolution related to country-of-origin labeling of beef.

Advancing from the Cow-Calf/Stocker Council was the by-laws amendment to establish a vote-by-mail process in certain situations. The direct membership ballot would be triggered when a policy item, acted upon at the annual convention’s Stakeholders Congress, receives approval of at least 40 percent, but less than 60 percent of members present and voting. However, if fewer than 10 percent of the eligible voters participate in the mail-in vote, the prior Stakeholders ballot would stand.

Proponents said they expected the proposed mail-in vote would be seldom used, but it provided a means for members not present at the annual convention to act on contentious policy issues. According to Cow-Calf/Stocker Council Chairman Bill Donald (Montana), it would enhance members’ sense of ownership in the association.

Twenty-two members rose to address the proposal, with several representatives of Western states echoing Donald’s opinion. They said this opportunity for more say in policy-making should help halt membership attrition and aid recruitment of new members.

Opponents of the amendment cited the value of members meeting together, physically, to gather information and participate in discussion of issues in order to make informed decisions. They feared the policy-making process might suffer if members in the country mail in votes based on insufficient or erroneous information.

The amendment failed on a role-call vote of directors, but resurfaced during the subsequent Stakeholders Congress where it was approved on a vote of 290 to 207. Since a by-laws change requires approval of Stakeholders and the Board of Directors, the amendment will go back to the Board for further consideration and a vote during next summer’s mid-year meeting.

NCBA’s newly named president-elect, Jan Lyons (Kansas), said the second vote sends a clear message that members want Board members to take a harder look at the vote-by-mail concept.

"We have heard you loud and clear," responded Lyons.

On the issue of country-of-origin labeling (COOL), existing association policy opposed the law calling for implementation of mandatory labeling of beef in 2004. Debate revealed that while considerable numbers of NCBA members support the COOL concept, there is serious concern that the mandated program will be impractical and too costly to implement.

Adopted was a resolution, calling for Congressional hearings to investigate the potential impact of COOL, USDA field hearings to increase awareness, and development of programs to inform beef producers.

— by Troy Smith