This is the first Board Notes we’ve sent since March, so you have not been missing issues, we’ve just not been preparing and sending any. With all the activity going on with the summer meeting, membership renewals, etc., it’s been hectic.
New Council Leadership
Todd Doehring, second from left, heads up the new FFSC leadership team elected at the Council’s annual meeting held July 27 in Champaign, IL. Doehring is a director with Centrec Consulting Group, Savoy, IL. Other members of the leadership group are, from left: Jan Bitter, Immediate Past president, vice president at Farm Credit East, Homer, NY; Keith Raynor, Vice President, principal with TRP CPAs, Dunn, NC; and, Brenda Duckworth, Secretary/Treasurer, farm staff accountant with AgriVision Farm Management, Hartley, TX. Board members elected at the meeting are: Jonathan Shepherd, University of Kentucky; Bill Rutter, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, Westminster, MD; Deena Brown, CGB Agri Finance Services, Louisville, KY; Angela Chesley, Van Bruggen/Vande Vegle, PC, Rock Valley, IA; Kathy Reinhardt, Reinhardt Farms, Seaton, IL; and, Lyle Anderson, Rabo AgriFinance, Billings, MT.
Thank You, Jan
New FFSC President Todd Doehring presents a special commemorative president’s gavel to Outgoing President Jan Bitter. Prior to being elected Council President in 2017, Bitter served as Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Council as well as on numerous committees. As Vice President she chaired the 2017 Annual Conference which was held in Syracuse, NY.
New Directory Coming Very Soon
The new Council Membership Directory will be coming to you very shortly. This will be updated with the current membership roster and complete contact information on the new leadership group. We are awaiting photos of some of the officers, committee members and directors and will then get it out to all.
We’d Like to See Your Face
It’s always great to know who you are communicating with and an easy way to make that happen with your Council Colleagues is to send us a head-and-shoulders photo of yourself and we’ll add it to the directory. Color jpgs work best, of course. Just send along something you have — does not have to be formal or in a business suit or dress. Will need by Friday, Sept. 7 to make this edition. 250-ppi jpgs are just fine. Please…no low-rez…you will NOT like the way you look.
Share your thoughts about the Council
One of the keys to attracting new, and even retaining current members, is the sharing of your thoughts regarding your experience/relationship with the Council…we are always looking for comments from members that can be used to promote membership. Have you met colleagues from across the country? Found participation in one of the committees to be rewarding personally and/or professionally? And if you have a complaint or other concern that should be shared with the leadership we want those as well!!
Are you Actively Involved with the Council?
When we discussed changing the dues at the Council last year there was concern about membership retention….would the dues get to be too high? What benefits of membership could we offer that would make people really want to stay members of the Council? Our experience has been that those who are actively involved with the happenings of the Council take on an ownership role with the organization. They are not just sitting back and waiting for something to happen….they are MAKING things happen and they develop an enthusiasm that becomes contagious.
Are you missing this spark? Contact any one of our committee chairs and ask them how you can become more involved. And COME TO THE ANNUAL MEETING! Everyone who attends this event has a great time and meets colleagues from across the nation, literally. If you have other possible benefits to membership, let us know. We don’t pretend to know all the ways to make belonging to an organization
2019 Annual Meeting
Mark your calendars now for the 2019 FFSC Annual Meeting. It will be held July 24 – 26 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Raleigh Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park near Durham, NC.
Going to the ABA Ag Bankers Conference?
This will be in Omaha November 11 – 14 and the Council will be there. If you are attending, stop by our booth in the Exhibit Hall and say ‘hi.’ More information on the conference and registration is on the Council Web site.
That’s probably enough for now.
Watch for your new directory (Send us your photo today!!), and don’t be a stranger… stay in touch and let us know how the Council is a part, however small, of your professional life…….
Carroll Merry
Administrator, FFSC
cmerry@countryside-marketing.com
262-253-6902
