MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT |
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Cooler weather and some welcome precipitation have come to Texas over the past month, alleviating a debilitating drought from the summer. The drought put a serious hurt on agriculture in many parts of the country this year. Crop yields here in Texas and Oklahoma have been recorded at production lows not experienced in several years. Livestock herds have been depopulating at unprecedented levels, as a significant percentage of the national brood cow herd has been going to slaughter. The good news side of this is that consumer demand for beef, domestically and internationally, has remained robust. Livestock auction barn prices have been on the upswing and forecasted demand, hence, forecasted farm gate prices for 2023 are promising.
The times we are in - - - politically, economically, and culturally - - - are certainly challenging. However, I submit to you that we have faced challenges far more daunting. I have heard many tales “from the old folks” of the Depression and of World War II. In short, we have it made in this day and time. We just need to keep our minds and hearts focused on our families and on our businesses. Helping our clients navigate through these times always requires diligence, dedication and determination to succeed. All will be well. Persevere.
We had a great annual meeting in Oklahoma City in October. Some new attendees were there; results from our post-conference survey indicated the conference presenters were well received and that everyone had a great time. We are looking forward to Keith Dickinson’s Meeting Committee putting together a great meeting for us in 2023. As we hit the ground running for the coming year, we welcome Jean Merry on board as Executive Director. She will officially take up her duties on December 1. Traci Schermerhorn will remain on board through December 31. Jean and Traci are already communicating and working together on the transition. During the Annual Meeting, the membership approved a strategic renaming of the Executive Vice-President position to Executive Director. Our leadership team for the coming year is energized and looking forward to advancing continuing education, certification (CAC) and membership recruitment as key result areas.
Committee assignments will be discussed at the December board of directors meeting. If anyone wants to participate on any committee, please contact Jean and Traci (both at evp@agconsultants.org) and indicate your interests and your preferences. Certainly, anyone with a burning desire to take a leading role on any committee, speak up. The success of the Society is predicated on every one of us finding that role that will advance the Society’s mission and, subsequently, each of our individual missions.
Standing Committees: - Membership
- Accreditation (CAC)
- Nominating
- By-Laws
- Ethics and Grievance
- Continuing Education
- Meetings
- Finance
Ad Hoc - Marketing and Promotion
- Strategic Alliance
Join us on Tuesday, December 20 at 11:00 am (CST) on-line at the December board meeting.
Zoom Meeting Link Until then, I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving and counted your blessings. |
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING NOTES, NOVEMBER 2022 |
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Financial Report – Russell Morgan, CFO
Russell provided a provisional report because we are still waiting to close the hotel bill. There are a few errors that will lower it a couple of hundred dollars. Russell will provide a more in-depth report in December. Wells Fargo has finally been set up with the proper signors and website access. The Finance Committee plans to review the process for billing and renewals. Current receivables include three nonrenewed members and one registration for the annual conference. Accounts payable include Harold Black (presenter), Meeting printing/shipping, Kincaid coachlines, Skirvin Hotel, Rodney Patterson (presenter), and video platform subscription. Expenses for the annual meeting are $18,167.94. The income from registration is $15,665.00. Our current net income YTD is $4,655.08.
Accreditation Committee - Bill Zweigbaum, Chair CEU submission was emailed to all CAC members. The deadline to submit 2022 continuing education is January 15, 2023. The committee will meet after that to approve CEU for the CAC. By-Laws Committee – Dave Mielnicki, Committee Chair The bylaw changes were approved at the annual conference. Traci will update the official bylaw document and ensure they are posted in the Members Only section on the website. Continuing Education Committee - Russell Morgan, Chair The upcoming webinar with ASFMRA already has 58 registered. ASFMRA will host it. The committee is currently discussing Q1 topics for Shop Talks and Webinars. New members joined this committee after the annual conference. Marketing & Promotion Committee - Paige Gilligan, Chair
Paige asked for feedback on the pull-up banners. The Board thought they looked good. At the December meeting, Paige will provide a full report on the website and social media analytics. Paige asked if the board members wanted generic ASAC business cards to hand out to potential new members. Cards would include ASAC contact information and social media websites. Paige will discuss this with the marketing committee. Dave suggested doing more co-branding opportunities with other organizations, such as ASFMRA.
Strategic Alliance Committee – Norm Brown, Committee Chair A report was provided in the board packet. The committee wants to start reaching out to Farm Credit associations. The committee could use some more members. Finance Committee – Keith Raynor, Committee Chair The committee plans to meet in the next few weeks and will have some recommendations and changes to the standard operating procedures. |
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Don Tyler is our new ASAC Northern Region Director. He is the owner of Tyler & Associates in Clarks Hill, Indiana. Don’s specialty is human behavior—why people do what they do, helping families, businesses, managers, leaders and others understand their own choices and behaviors, and those of the others they work and interact with on a regular basis.
When asked how his membership with ASAC has helped his business, Don said, “Situations when I needed to confirm the most ethical way to handle a very difficult dilemma for a client, and the times that a client asked for help in an area where I am not experienced or qualified. Access to this network of high-quality, experienced consultants has helped me be more helpful to my clients.”
Don has been in the consulting business for 27 years and has worked with clients in nearly every state. He has traveled to work with clients in 35 states (so far!). In his time away from consulting, Don enjoys doing woodworking projects in his workshop—mostly out of hardwoods that he has harvested, dried, and milled himself. He also enjoys remodeling projects with his wife, Peggy, and helping his neighbors with their farm activities and timber maintenance. Don also helps people through his church’s different ministry efforts—counseling people with addictions, challenges in their marriage, difficult personal situations and challenges from their past that need to be overcome so they can thrive.
When asked what advice Don has for new or experienced consultants he said, “Do what’s best for the client before thinking about what is best for your business. Be fearless—Do the hard work that others avoid. Tell the ‘kind truth’—be willing to discuss the things that no one wants to talk about and do it in a kind, compassionate and gracious manner.” |
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KEEP UP WITH THE ASAC BLOG |
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IB'S INSIGHTFUL INTROSPECTIONS |
Ib Hagsten was a longtime member of ASAC who left a lasting legacy with our organization. It is impossible to replicate Ib's wit and down-to-earth observations. In his honor, we offer these words of wisdom... "Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." Winston S. Churchill “Either you run the day or the day runs you.” Jim Rohn
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. - Wayne Gretzky” Michael Scott (The Office) |
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President Pete Weisenberger |
| President-Elect Keith Dickinson, CAC |
| Vice President & Secretary Dave Mielnicki, ARA |
| Chief Financial Officer Russell Morgan, CAC |
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| Immediate President Kyle Walker, CAC |
| Executive Vice President Traci Schermerhorn |
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Eastern Director Joanna Lidback, CAC |
| Western Director Ron Rabou |
| Northern Director Don Tyler |
| Southern Director Keith Raynor, CAC |
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