MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT |
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Keith Dickinson, CFP®, CAC, RICP |
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I recently attended the memorial service for Rick Hermonot. Those who have been with ASAC for several years will remember Rick as someone actively involved in our Annual Conferences, both as a participant and as an occasional presenter. Rick retired from consulting in 2020 to devote more attention to his family’s farming enterprise and to spend more time ‘enjoying life.’ I had the pleasure of calling Rick a co-worker for about seven years and learned quite a bit from him in those relatively few years. His service was very well attended. I noted that many of his former consulting clients made their way to the service, some traveling a few hours to get there. It was a strong testimony to the impact that we can have on our clients’ lives as consultants. We should all have a goal to approach our work with our clients in the same way that Rick always did, with integrity, passion and purpose.
I also want to take a moment to encourage all of you to get the most out of your ASAC membership… - Plan to attend our Annual Conference in Ft. Myers, Florida, November 3-5. Dave Mielnicki and the Meeting Committee are hard at work planning another great conference for us.
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Attend a webinar or Shop Talk roundtable that our Scott Mickey and the Continuing Education committee is coordinating. We have had some excellent offerings over the past few months. Most are scheduled on or near the ‘lunch hour’ (depending on when you typically have your lunch and what time zone you are in at the moment!).
- Read the blog articles that Don Tyler contributes on a regular basis.
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Join a committee… now I know that some will say ‘how does that help me get the most of my membership?’… ASAC relies on committees of our members to put together all the initiatives of our Society. Through the work of these committees, you will not only be helping make ASAC stronger, but you will build stronger relationships with your fellow members across the country. I’ve learned quite a bit through the years during the discussions with fellow members on a committee meeting call. Here are a few of the committees that are currently looking for some additional members:
- Strategic Alliance Committee: Norm Brown, chair – This committee seeks to identify and connect with other agricultural organizations that can serve as ‘allies’ of ASAC, where we can find mutual benefits for our common interests.
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Marking & Promotion Committee: Chair – VACANT – This committee coordinates the marketing of ASAC, including our social media presence and website, as well as generating some branded materials for us to use in promoting ASAC to prospective members.
- Check out the member section of agconsultants.org to see the full list of committees. Join one if you are not currently on a committee.
Standing Committees: Membership – Ron Rabou - raboufarms@gmail.com
Nominating – Pete Weisenberger - pete.weis0956@gmail.com By-Laws – Abigail Byerly - majerus@snowymountaindevelopment.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 – Chair Needed
Strategic Alliance – Norm Brown - norm@fbssystems.com Keith Dickinson President |
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING NOTES, March 2024 |
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Meetings Committee - Dave Mielnicki, Chair
Work is beginning on an Annual Conference Sponsor Program, and a list of potential speakers for 2024 has been developed. The next committee meeting is April 8. The proposed locations for 2025 were also discussed. The board recommended going ahead with requesting RFPs from hotels in Indianapolis that fall within ASAC's preference for room rate, food and beverage minimums, meeting room costs and airport accessibility.
Continuing Education Committee - Scott Mickey, Chair A summary of the proposed new and updated offerings being planned for the CAC designation was presented. A financial planning session will be needed to move forward. That session will be April 2. Marketing & Promotion Committee - Chair needed Membership Development Committee – Ron Rabou, Chair
Two membership applications have been approved. Those names will be sent to Keith Dickinson to offer a welcome to ASAC and to let each know that an official Welcome Packet will be sent upon receipt of dues payment. Nominating Committee - Pete Weisenberger, Chair
A plan for developing the ballot roster for the election in November was submitted. It was also announced that Don Tyler has agreed to run for a second two-year term as Northern Director. Strategic Alliance Committee – Norm Brown, Committee Chair
The committee is in need of additional members - a request for members to be included in the next Communique. Next Board of Directors Meeting - April 16 - 11 a.m. CDT (open to all members to listen in):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89918075286?pwd=LEUjUgLopYS47U3q6wNmIiJcqdYsTt.1 |
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Allison Rickels, Executive Director & CEO of the Farmhouse Foundation, has announced the appointment of Pete Weisenberger to its Board of Trustees. He will be one of 17 university alumni who make up the Board, which meets twice a year, plus at the biennial Conclave of the International Fraternity, as well as virtually as needed.
The primary role of the trustees is to advance and support the mission of the Fraternity and Foundation through setting the strategic direction of the Foundation; setting and enforcing policy; hiring and providing oversight for management performance and compensation; monitoring foundation performance, diligently stewarding the Foundation’s resources; and promoting goodwill for the Foundation and the Fraternity.
In her announcement, Rickels wrote: “Pete is the president and owner of Weisenberger Agricultural Services, LLC. He is self-employed as a farm and ranch business management consultant and lives in Tyler, Texas. Pete is the immediate past president of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants and knows past Trustee Dick Wittman (Idaho 68) through their involvement in the organization. He is also involved in his church and local community. Pete is the first Mississippi State alumnus to serve as a Foundation Trustee."
The trustees, who can serve two three-year terms, are volunteers who serve at their own cost, and each is involved in the Foundation’s continuing fundraising efforts. The trustees bring their considerable experience in business, investing, management, planning and public relations to their stewardship and support of the Foundation. Congratulations, Pete! |
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New Member - Last 30 Days - 03/05/2024: Kris Thiel |
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Strategic Alliance Committee
04/08/2024 |
Annual Conference Planning Committee
04/08/2024 |
| 2024 BOD Monthly Meeting
04/16/2024 |
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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... If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up.
Booker T. Washington Too many of us are not living our dreams, because we are living our fears. Les Brown
Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought life would be like to find joy in the story you are actually living. Rachel Marie Martin |
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President
Keith Dickinson, CAC |
| President-Elect Dave Mielnicki, ARA |
| Vice President & Secretary Abigail Byerly |
| 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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