Cattlemen Consider Bylaw Change 
For More Direct Member Input
 
DENVER (February 4, 2003) – Stakeholders of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) voted 290 to 207 Saturday to propose a change in the bylaws of the organization to allow direct member votes on narrowly passed or defeated proposals and resolutions.  A change in NCBA bylaws must be approved by two bodies – the Stakeholders and the Board of Directors. 
 
The result of the Stakeholder vote means this proposal will be addressed by the Board at the NCBA Summer Meeting.  A two-thirds majority Board vote is required to change NCBA bylaws, in addition to the simple majority vote of stakeholders.  The NCBA Board of Directors earlier in the day had defeated the bylaw change by a vote of 151 to 95.
 
“Our discussions demonstrated that NCBA has an open and inclusive process,” according to Eric Davis, a beef producer from Bruneau, Idaho, and NCBA president.  “This particular change is only half-way there, but it represents a strong declaration by our members and stakeholders.  Opponents and proponents of this change are in agreement that we need to remain connected with our members.  This vote is an effort to make sure we remain focused on this task.”  
 
The current bylaws require the Policy Division of the Board to act on policy matters and allows for these policies to be changed at the Annual Stakeholders Congress by those NCBA members in attendance.  The proposed bylaw change would allow for a ballot vote by members when any vote of the members in the Stakeholders Congress falls between 40 and 60 percent of passage.  A mail-in vote of 10 percent or more of members would be required to override the vote of members at the Annual Meeting.  If mail-in ballots totaled fewer than 10 percent of NCBA membership, then the final vote from the Annual Meeting would stand.
 
Proponents of the proposal said the change would allow for greater grassroots participation in the organization, and improve the ability to increase membership.  They said many producers are not able, or cannot afford, to attend the meetings, but should have a say in how the policies are determined.
 
Opponents of the proposal said members who attend the annual convention, many elected to represent their state organizations, are better prepared to develop sound policy.  They believe face-to-face discussions on issues that allow for information, debate and compromise best determine policy positions.
 
“This is an important issue that we’ve faced for some time,” said Davis.  “Bylaws are not easily changed – and that’s as it should be.
 
“There may be more than one way to accomplish this goal, though.  But we’ve made a commitment as an organization to find ways of increasing connection with our members, and that’s exactly what we intend to do.”
 
The Stakeholders meeting was the culmination of the Cattle Industry Annual Convention & Trade Show, which ran from Jan. 29 through Feb. 1 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.