LIVE REPORT FROM THE 2011 AGM FLOOR

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

2:06 pm:     APAS VP Don Connick opened the meeting by inviting all representatives and guests to be seated.

2:07            Representatives were then invited to rise for Oh Canada.

2:08           Fred Clipsham was introduced by Don Connick and delivered greetings from the City of Regina

2:12           Don Connick asked for nominations from the floor for the election of the two Co-Chairs of the 2011 AGM

                 Representatives confirmed Arlynn and Todd as Co -Chairs for the 2011 AGM

2:16         Chiar Arlynn Kurtz reviewed meeting procedures.

2:18         Arlynn Kurtz asked APAS General Manager Nial Kuyek to review the agenda and convention kit for all delegates in order to familiarize the attendees to the scheduled events .

2:21:        Representatives adopted agenda as presented

2:22      Representatives were invited by the Chiar  to review the minutes from the last meeting in order to adopt minutes as presented. Minutes adopted as presented.

2:23      Chair Arlynn Kurtz introduced Greg Marshall, past-president of APAS from 2009-2011 to provide the President's Report

2:24      Greg addressed his recent resignation and explained why he thought it was best to resign when he did.

             Greg reminded listeners of where APAS was in 2008 when he took over as president.

             Greg talked about the recent challenges that issues like the Canadian Wheat Board brought to the organization and the divisions this caused within the Board and Representative group.

             Greg identified that both levels of government would like to see organizations like ours silenced as  critics of their programs and policies.

             Greg reminded listeners of the importance of the general farm organizations to represent the views of farmers to all levels of government.

              Greg thanked the two VPs for their support following his resignation and the reps for their ongoing support. He thanked the staff for their dedication since 2009.

               Attendees gave Greg a standing ovation following his presentation.

2:40       General Manager Nial Kuyek was invited to present the General Manager's Report by reviewing the Year in Review 2011.

               Nial recognized the exceptional work that Doug Faller has done in both Policy Management and moderating the APAS Town Hall Debate, Accountant Sharon Gimas for her financial management;  Brenda McBride for her administrative support and Aj Thakker for his communications skills and the development of myRM.ca . All staff were collectively  recognized by the memebrship for their dedication and commitment to ensuring the success of APAS.

2:55        Arlynn reminded Reps of the APAS position regarding the CWB,especially given the recent court ruling and the fact that the media may ask Reps for comments regarding the the issue during the AGM.

3:00        Review of the interim financial statements provided by APAS Accountant and CMA, Sharon Gimas. Sharon indicated that APAS had reduced expenses by 13% and increased revenue through expanded membership and sponsorship.

3:05         Interim P&L Statement and Balance Sheet accepted by Reps.

3:10         Chair Arlynn introduced Directors Todd Lewis and David Spencer to present the recruitment and retention strategy for 2012.

3;10         Director David Spencer outlined the retention and recruitment strategy put together by the committee. His comments primarily focused on the challenges currently facing the organization. Membership peaked in the organization at 134 members in 2006, and then fell to 82 by 2008, 61by 2009, 70 in 2010, and 64 in 2011. The overall challenge facing APAS is to expand membership to increase the number of RM involved in financing and developing the Association.             Retention & New Member Recruitment will be the primary focus of the myrm.ca portal campaign.

             The Board's 2012 Recruitment Strategy was presented featuring a 2012 Transitional Membership  for $2012.00 for the year to recruit new RMs to help restructure the organization and membership fees. This will  be a  one year membership only and will not include full voting rights on policy issues.

             Aj Thakker, Communications Manager presented the benefits and features of myRm.ca to the reps.

             Todd Lewis took the stage to highlight the process map and agenda for recruitment of new members in 2012.

3:45    Nial introduced new staff person, Bruce Dodd who will be assisting with recruitment of new members and highlighted the district research, retention and recruitment tasks to be undertaken this afternoon.

3:50   Bruce Dodd introduced himself to the membership and advised that he will be working closely with the staff, Board and Reps to recruit new members to APAS.

3:53   Arlynn chaired session for Reps with questions about myRm.ca program

3:55   Arlynn released the Reps to attend their District meetings after Co- Chair Todd Lewis announced the hospitality room location for social activities following tonight's reception.

 

MyRM.ca Launch

December 7, 2011

MyRM launch held 7-9 pm. More info HERE or  go directly to myRM.ca

Thursday, December 8, 2011

8;40 am     Co-Chair Todd Lewis called meeting to order and invited Committee Chair to the podium to present their 2011 Committee Reports:

                  Dorothy Weetman, Chair of the Economic Trade and Strategic Growth Committee. Dorothy introduced the committee members and highlighted their diverse backgrounds. Dorothy reviewed the committee's work and efforts to highlight agricultural issues during the federal and provincial elections and brought the delegate's attention to the grain transportation imposing hosted by APAS in August of 2011. Dorothy brought up the rural daycare issues that the committee has been learning and wrapped up her comments by asking the next speaker not to be boring.

8:46         Environment  & Food Safety Committee  Chair Norm Hall introduced the committee members. He indicated that while the committee had not met numerous times over the course of 2011, the portfolio has been an extremely busy one over this last year, included the plastic recycling program. Norm asked the delegates to bring forward a resolution during the committee meetings to ensure that we continue to support the program continuation for a minimum of at least one more year.

                 Norm discussed carbon credits and the solutions to carbon sequestration that agriculture provides. APAS Policy Manger Doug Faller and Norm have been representing the interests of farm at the provincial committee level.

                  Other issues discussed by the committee included the environmental impacts of club root, migratory birds. One  of the most important issues addressed by the committee was ALUS - alternative land-use services -  which will be discussed later at the committee level with the announcement of the first ALUS project in Saskatchewan.

8:51          Todd Lewis introduced Garth Burns, Chair of the Grains and Oilseeds Committee. One of the big issues attacked by the committee was excess moisture that once again hampered farmers ability to seed and harvest a crop. Garth then highlighted the specific needs of the Churchill Route Association and the Port of Churchill.

              Garth reminded Reps that with the introduction of Bill C-18, our wheat farmers will need as effective voice as the canola producers in the province have.

              Garth repeated the concerns of clubroot and the economic impact it will have on grain farmers in Saskatchewan. As an industry we need to be diligent in maintaining the quality of our products and avoiding issues like club root, which could destroy quickly close the borders to trade and  decimate our industry.

8:56           Todd Lewis introduced Brian Snell, Chair of the Livestock Committee. The livestock industry is in better shape than it has been in the past few years. Brian reviewed the upcoming events that the livestock committee members will be attending as representative of the organization. The committee hosted only one meeting this past year. Brian indicated that the bulk of their meeting and time was taken up discussing the pilot provincial trading projects in the province. Drake Meat was the only provincial processor involved in the pilot project.

Brian indicated CFA is tied to its current ways of doing things and does not seem to be really looking for innovative ways to address the issues identified by producers in West. The money invested in small plants in Western Canada is not nearly enough compared to that required to initiate the changes required by CFIA.

9:00       Todd Lewis invited questions and comments to the Committee Chairs from the Floor.

9:20       Representatives broke into Committee Groups. The APAS Environment and Food Committee released the following statement regarding Saskatchewan's new ALUS conservation program after which Speakers from APAS, SWF and Delta handled media interviews.. Read more HERE

10:30      Representatives were divided into districts in order to elect District Directors: APAS welcomes the 2012 Board of Directors:  Arlynn Kurtz, James Vogt, Todd Lewis, Shawn Bourgeois, Don Connick, Dorothy Weetman, Norm Hall, David Spencer, Garth Burns, Bill Warrrington, Jeff Simpson and Brian Snell.(New BOD members bois coming soon)

11:15:     Doug Faller, Policy Manager reviewed the results and analysis of the APAS Members Survey on Policy Issues .

11:45:     Lunch was served to the the Representatives

12:45:    James Perkin, Interim Director of the Ag in the Classroom provided an overview of the Ag in the Classroom program. The presentation was extremely well received by the attendees. (electronic file to be posted soon)

1:30       Corinna Mitchell Beaudin, VP of Operations for Prairie Region (electronic file to be posted soon).

              Corinna began by walking listeners through a review the role and function of FCC in Canada. 

              The second part of her presentation covered the Corporations view of the current state of the agricultural industry

              The third portion of her presentation covered the perceptions of agriculture as seen through the eyes of farm producers participated in the FCC survey.

2:00       Coffee break

2:35       Prairie Farm Leaders Group session opened with a presentation by Ron Bonnet, President of CFA  regarding the importance of farm organizations and the challenges facing producers and their  farm groups today. It is more important than ever before for farm groups have a clear and credible voice in the halls of government, industry and to the general public.

2:48        Todd Lewis introduced the representative from Keystone Ag Producers Dan Mazier, VP. Dan used the presentation that is usually given to the Keystone Ag Producers at their annual general meeting. (electronic copy will be posted here shortly)

3:00       Todd Lewis introduced Humphrey Banack of Wild Rose Ag Producers of Alberta, who reviewed the agricultural issues facing Alberta farmers and ranchers in 2011.

3:26      Greg wrapped up the Prairie Farm Leaders presentation by thanking the Speakers for attending the AGM and Chair Todd Lewis opened the floor to questions.
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Following the Q&A session with the Prairie Farm Leaders and the CFA,  Delegates debated and discussed a number of pertinent issues in an open session.

At 4:30 PM, Doug Faller led the delegates through a special survey on Growing Forward Two. 

Friday, December 9, 2011

8:10  am    Char Arlynn Kurtz opened the meeting and introduced Richard Phillips of Grain Growers of Canada.

8:13     Richard Phillips provided an introduction to himself and then delivered his presentation - "Life After Bill C-18."

8:41     Arlynn thanked Richard Phillips for his presentation and introduced Ken Rosassen, U of S Professor

8:42     Ken presented his perceptions of the imact of Bill C-18 as an academic and farmer. (Electronic copy to be posted later today)

9:02     Doug Faller, APAS Policy Manager, identified key challenges for rural producers and communities that  we need to find solutions to urgently.

10:15   Q &  A Sessions continued as a part of the above noted presentations.

11:00.   Refreshment break featuring Over the Hill Orchards Cherry Juice. The Board of Directors held a meeting to elect the new President and Executive.

11:45   Delegates discussed and passed a number of Policy Resolutions. In addition to Board and Executive Elections, new members were appointed or elected to fill vacant positions on all all four APAS' Policy Committees.

12:30   Lunch

1:00     Introduction of new Executive. Elected as President was District 4 Director Norm Hall of Elfros, SK.  Todd Lewis of the RM of Lajord and Arlynn Kurtz of the RM of Fertile Belt were elected to fill the roles of Vice Presidents of the organization.

Norm Hall was born and raised on a farm near Wynyard, Saskatchewan , which he now owns with his brother. Together, on their century farm, they plant approx. 4500 acres in annual seed and commercial crops, 40 acres in an agroforestry project and 600 acres in hay and pasture and 1300 acres are set aside for the environment. Norm is married to Fern and they have 3 children, Kevin (Saskatoon), Jamie (Regina) and Travis (Winnipeg).

An active member of his community, APAS President Norm Hall has served on the Board of Directors of the Wynyard Co-op Assoc.(1985-87), Wynyard Credit Union (1994-96), the Wynyard Co-op Farm Centre, president (1994-present),  served as Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Delegate (1986-2005), Wynyard Chamber of Commerce (1993-2009) president (1995-97), Canadian Young Farmers’ Forum (1998-2002) chairman (1999- 2001), Saskatchewan Young Farmers’ Forum co-founder and chairman (1999-2003), and the District #20 ADD Board (2001-present), and has been coaching gymnastics since 1978 and has been the head coach of the Wynyard Gymnastics Club since 1980.

Norm was first elected as an APAS  Rep in October of 2003, and has been the Chair of the Environment & Food Safety Committee and Chair of the Governance Committee.

"I'm extremely proud to be elected as APAS President and I look forward to working with the Board, staff and our partners to promote Saskatchewan agriculture and to protect the interests of our members and all Saskatchewan farm families," said President Hall. "I appreciate the confidence that the Board and Representatives have placed in this Executive and I am eager to begin working with our committed and talented staff group."

1:30     Policy resolutions were debated and passed regarding land ownership rights, environment issues and Excessive Moisture, Business Risk Management programs and Bill C-18. APAS will be posting a complete list of resolutions and the 2011 committee members on their website at www.apas.ca shortly.

2:15     President Norm Hall provided his first address to the Representatives.

2:20     Meeting Chair Arlynn Kurtz thanked FCC and CWB for their corporate partnership

2:22     Ken Rosaasen promoted the December 11-14 in Saskatoon

2:30     Meeting Adjourned.
 

Download the Full list of passed resolutions here

Richard Phillips. Grain Growers of Canada - Presentation HERE

HUmphrey Banack - Wild Rose Ag Producers Presentation HERE

2010 AGM (March) - Minutes for Approval

2011 Year in Review - Printer Ready format

2011 Interim Financial Statements - Balance Sheet to Oct 31 2010.pdf

2011 Interim Financial Statements - P & L to Oct 31 2010.pdf