DENVER — The Federation of State Beef Councils recently adopted a charter detailing its financial and decision-making independence from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. The approval was among several business actions the Federation took during the NCBA and Cattlemen’s Beef board joint board meeting, marking the conclusion of the cattle industry’s 2011 annual convention, held Feb. 2-5.
Details
The 12-point Federation Charter of Principles details independent functions, such as financial practices, while also retaining beneficial business ties the two entities have shared during their 15-year relationship.
A Federation Structure Working Group drafted the charter in response to a resolution passed by Federation directors at the summer 2010 cattle industry conference.
“The board gave us the job of finding a way to better communicate how we operate independently from NCBA, without ending our long partnership,” said Scott George, a Wyoming dairy and beef producer who chaired the Federation in FY 2010 and led the working group.
“This charter spells all that out in black and white, so our intentions and operations are transparent to our fellow beef producers and stakeholders.”
A number of the charter’s provisions were already being practiced, George added. New elements address issues such as operational agreements and compliance processes.
Elected
In other business, the Federation elected David Dick, a Missouri cow-calf producer, as its FY 2011 chairman, and Craig Uden, a Nebraska feeder, as vice chairman. Dick served as Federation vice chairman last year.
Newly elected to represent the Federation as regional vice presidents on the NCBA executive committee are Jennifer Houston, Tenn., Region II and Jane Frost, N.M., Region VI. Jon Ferguson, Kan.; Bill Rhea, Neb.; and Roger Clift, Texas, are the Federation revenue seat representatives on the executive committee.
By law, the Federation also selects 10 representatives to the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, which decides the final national checkoff program plan each year. In FY 2011 these representatives are Federation chair David Dick and vice chair Craig Uden, joined by Sally Angell, Mo.; Jerry Bohn, Kan.; Richard Gebhart, Okla.; Cevin Jones, Idaho; Linda Joy Stovall, Texas; Sid Viebrock, Wash.; Becky Walth, S.D.; and Jim Wilson, Ore.
Advisory council
The Federation also chose its FY 2011 Federation Advisory Council, comprised of state beef council executives, who advise the Federation on a variety of issues and initiatives. Members include: Richard Wortham, Texas, chairman; Nancy Jo Bateman, N.D., vice chair; Nancy Degner, Iowa; Carol Gillis, N.Y.; Sammy Blossom, Miss.; Dina Reitzel, N.M.; Ann Whittman, Wyo.; Jim Handley, Fla.; and Ann Marie Bosshamer, Neb., immediate past chairman.
