MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT |
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Keith Dickinson, CFP®, CAC, RICP |
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One of the strengths of ASAC is the diversity of our membership. Our members come from different parts of the country, have a wide array of backgrounds, practice in different specialties, vary in age by at least 50 years, and represent multiple genders and ethnicities. I look forward to every interaction with fellow ASAC members because I know that I will be better for that interaction.
However, with such diversity of backgrounds and interests, we must be conscious of the fact that there is likely to be a wide range of beliefs on political and social issues. We were reminded of this fact during our most recent Annual Conference when invited guests to the conference made statements that were ‘off topic’ and were related to social issues and/or politics. For some, these comments were offensive. To anyone who found any comments made by invited guests to our conference offensive, I want to apologize. I can assure you that we have discussed this issue during the planning for the 2024 conference, and we will be more specific in our screening and instructions for presenters to help ensure that we do not have a repeat of this issue in the future.
The election season is upon us. It is my hope that all our members will use discretion when discussing politics and social issues with fellow ASAC members. Please be respectful of the diversity of viewpoints that often comes with a diversity in the backgrounds of our members, which, as I previously stated, is one of the strengths of our organization.
Speaking of our Annual Conference, the planning for the 2024 conference in Ft. Myers, Florida, is well underway. If you have suggestions for topics and/or presenters (or if you are interested in delivering a presentation yourself), please reach out to our meeting committee chair, David Mielnicki at David.mielnicki@nmrk.com. Standing Committees: Membership – Ron Rabou - raboufarms@gmail.com Nominating – Pete Weisenberger - pete.weis0956@gmail.com By-Laws – Dave Mielnicki - david.mielnicki@nmrk.com
Ethics and Grievance – Ethan Robertson - ethan.robertson@farmcrediteast.com Continuing Education – Scott Mickey - smickey@clemson.edu Annual Meeting – David Mielnicki - david.mielnicki@nmrk.com Finance – Keith Raynor - keith@trpsumner.com Ad Hoc Committees Marketing and Promotion – Need Chair Strategic Alliance – Norm Brown - norm@fbssystems.com
Keith Dickinson President
P.S. Some of you may remember Richard Hermonot, who joined ASAC in 1998 and was a longtime member as well as a CAC. He was also a retiree of Farm Credit East. Rick passed away on February 23. Additional details are expected to be available at https://www.brewerfuneral.com/obituaries/Richard-Hermonot?obId=30853324 |
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Message from Pete Weisenberger, Chair, Nominating Committee
This brief note to everyone is to remind you of the officer and director elections which will take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at the Annual Meeting in Fort Myers, Florida.
The Northern and Western Region Director positions will be on the ballot. Refer to the Region Map on the website to determine in which one you reside.
The Vice President/Secretary office is on the ballot, as it is every year. The holder of this office is in ‘year one’ of the leadership rotation, going next to President-Elect, then President, then Past President.
The continued success of the Society is dependent on the active participation of all of its members. Whether a newly joined member or a long tenured one, your active participation will benefit you as well as the Society. I expect that is what motivated you to join. We get out of something what we put into it.
Membership dues for 2024 are past due after Thursday, February 15. If you haven’t paid your 2024 invoice, please do so. Only members current on their dues will be eligible to vote and hold any office.
I also encourage everyone to commit time to work on any of the committees which get the bulk of the work of the Society completed on a timely basis.
Thank you,
Pete Message from the Continuing Education Committee
We have updated and improved how ASAC members can access past recorded ASAC-hosted Webinars and Shop Talks. These archived recordings are available ON-DEMAND. However, they are available ONLY to ASAC members - an added value of your continuing membership.
To access, log onto your ASAC Member Portal; on the Member Menu, navigate to Resources. On the pull-down menu, select File Archive, and in the that window (toward the bottom), you can select ASAC Shop Talk Series or ASAC Webinar Series.
Selecting either of these options will open a window entitled Media & File Center along with the associated list. There will be titles, dates and descriptions for each choice. The title serves as a hyperlink to the on-demand recording. The lists are not exhaustive but contain the most recent (within one year or so) recordings. As time allows, we plan to add less-recent recordings.
These Webinars and Shop Talks cover a wide range of topics pertinent to / useful for Agricultural Consultants. We hope you take advantage of this "Perk of ASAC Membership." A list of the currently available records was sent to members on February 22. Links of Potential Interest to Members
National Ag Day is March 19, 2024. A comprehensive list of activities as well as ideas for celebrating and promoting Ag Day is available at https://www.agday.org/promote.
The 24th International Farm Management Association Congress will be held July 7-12, 2024, in Saskatoon, SK, Canada. The link to the details is https://www.ifma2024.org/. |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING NOTES, February 2024 |
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Meetings Committee - Dave Mielnicki, Chair The committee has begun surfacing topic and speaker ideas for the Annual Conference, as well as potential tour possibilities. The committee will also make a recommendation to the board for the venue for the 2025 conference.
Continuing Education Committee - Scott Mickey, Chair
Planning is underway for an ASAC-hosted webinar on Health Care Plans for Independent Ag Consultants, utilizing a 3-member panel. Currently someone is lined up from the western U.S., but the committee is still in need of two from other parts of the country, as options do vary by region. Chrissy Wozniak of North American Ag is lined up for a March 21 Shop Talk to discuss "How to Initiate and Develop Blogs, Substacks & Other Types of Web Presence." Details will be sent soon. Membership Development Committee – Ron Rabou, Chair Two applications have been received for potential new members.
Strategic Alliance Committee – Norm Brown, Committee Chair The committee is in need of more members to evaluate the list of proposed alliance partners.
Next Board of Directors Meeting - March 19 - 11 a.m. CST (open to all members to listen in):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89918075286?pwd=LEUjUgLopYS47U3q6wNmIiJcqdYsTt.1 |
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Strategic Alliance Committee
03/11/2024 |
Annual Conference Planning Committee
03/11/2024 |
2024 BOD Monthly Meeting
03/19/2024 |
Strategic Alliance Committee
04/08/2024 |
| Annual Conference Planning Committee
04/08/2024 |
2024 BOD Monthly Meeting
04/16/2024 |
Strategic Alliance Committee
05/13/2024 |
Annual Conference Planning Committee
05/13/2024 |
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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... A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything. Irish Proverb All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. Charles Schulz Worrying won't stop the bad stuff from happening. It just stops you from enjoying the good. lovethispic.com |
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President Keith Dickinson, CAC |
| President-Elect Dave Mielnicki, ARA |
| Vice President & Secretary Abigail Majerus |
| Chief Financial Officer Russell Morgan, CAC |
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| Immediate Past President Pete Weisenberger |
| Executive Director Jean L Merry |
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Eastern Director Ethan Robertson, CAC |
| Western Director Ron Rabou |
| Northern Director Don Tyler |
| Southern Director Scott Mickey |
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