PAIM5R, ALASKA
Dorothy M. Bell, Editor
Published every Thursday at Palmer, Alaska, for the Matanuska Valley Farmers’ Cooper
ating Association for the pu-rpose of giving news'of the Associations ’fork, Problems
and Accomplishments and ners of general interest,
SUBSCRIPTION 3Y MAIL $1.75
SINGLE COPY 10^
Oi Cl
WHY ARE YOUR DIRECTORS SO VITAL TO ; , •
GOOD MANAGE! TENT? f
The Farm Credit Administrut ion has published a number of bulletins on different
phases of Rimers* Cooperatives and the importance of the 3onrd of Directors usually
takes first place in those discussions. Kelsey B. Gardner in the bulletin "Managing
Rimers' Copuerativcs" makes this statement: "Management of a cooperative association
i* often incorrectly thought of a:-'including only the general manager and his princip
al-assistants. This is far from the fact, as. management definitely includes both
the ’’oard of directors and the supervising employees. In a cooperative, members also
have a dir~ct voice in management through their selection of members of the board and
t. sir approval of basic policies of the association. K
Then members have that opportunity each year to select two or three and nonet Mrs
more row members or the ro-election of scene of the former members on the board, it is
well that they consider carefully before casting that vote. In the first place lot
u: consider the responsibilities of a board member.
Ho is charged with—
1. selecting management personnel
‘Cl formulating policies
3. checking to soe that the policies arc being followed
4. evaluating the results obtained from the operation of the policies adopted.
A more detailed statement of some of the responsibilities of a board of directors
might be helpful. For a marketing association --
1. Control the affairs end business of the'association including the- making of rules
for tl. guidance of officers and employees.
2. Fulfill'the obligations arising from the membership.'.ana marketing agreements.
3. Appoint , supervise^ raid remove at will all officers, committees, 'agents, or em
ployees of the association; proscribe their duties and rates of pay. and require them
to vitro bond, when droned advisable..
4. Call smoeial n etingf of the membership when the #board deers it advisable or upon
u'r-mnort of mcrab rs made in accordance with the bylaws.
. Enter into contracts with distributors for the marketing of members* products.
, 3 lect banks for the deposit of association*funds and designate the person ■or per
sons who shall si mi checks for fch* association.
7. Horror funds for any proper pumas© of the association.
3. Keep a complete r cord of the acts of the board.
9. Maintain an adequate bookkeeping and accounting systosif provide' for its regular
e-am'nation by'competent outside auditors, and present to the members at stated
w ri ds a statement of the financial condition of the association.
* lenders cf hoards of'directors of cooperative associations arc net chosen to servo in
ar honorary capacity, although some hoard members appear to take this point of view,
>ir.s the "ork of a director adequately and satisfactorily requires conscientious
thoupht and effort, and the job carries with it important legal responsibility because
f. corporate powers of the cooperative arc vested in its directors.
ro mure of there above named responsibilities and duties of a director, tho merits
rd qualifications* of any nominee should be weighed carefully before he is elected to'
v.7" on the hoard. -In selecting new members or ir. the re-election of beard members,
;ho membere of any cooperative owe it to themselves to select from the membership
;h.osc persons who are best fitted to fulfill the duties of a director. In addition
to the qualifications named in the last issue of the Settlor a member might ask him
self—
On-:, s he possess a proper understanding of the limitations as well as the possibilities t
of what can b' accomplished through cooperative effort?
Ir ie clear that he will help his fellow members to obtain a more complete understand
ing of the association and its various activities and problems?
’Till he do his part conscientiously in making information about the association avail
able to members?
ITo ohc verson could possibly possess all of these qualifications in the highest de
gree, but should possess them to some extent.
The above information has bcon taken from the bulletin, "managing Farmers’ Ooopera
tivos" ard it is hoped that it will help members to select the Board I.lembcrs,from the
member ship,who arc best suited'to fill that responsible position. It is not too carl:
to begin making that selection.