PALMER,ALASKA
Dorothy M. Bell, Editor
Published every week at Palmer, Alaska, for the Matanuska Valley Farmers* Cooperating
Association for the purpose of giving news of the Associations Work, Problems ard
Accomplishments as well as news of general interest to the Valley.
SUBSCRIPTION RATE $1.75 Single Copy 10?
HDW TO THE MEMBERS CONTROL THE FARMERS* COOPERATIVES?
This coming Monday February 10,1947, the members of the Matanuska Valley Ehrmers*
Cooperating Association will again have the opportunity of casting their ballots in
an Annual meeting of the Association. This ballot represents the members one means
of control in his Association. In this right to vote each member has the power to
determine what the future policies of the Associat^dn shall be.
1. The member casts his ballot for new directors to carry out his idea of what the
Association should do in the coming year. He will select a director who ho believes
will carry out the policios in which he (the member) believes.
2. He will havo an opportunity to voto for or against policies of the Association so
that the new Board of Directors will know what is cxpoctcd of thorn.
He can discuss problems of the Association which most directly affect his own inter
ests. This will also givo the Board of Directors help on futuro problems that may
arise.
The majority will rulo in the election and will to a great extent will decide future
policios of the Association either directly by'action taken at the meeting, or in
directly .tr- their choice of directors. However, the minority will tend to influence
policies carriod out by'.tho Board since in a doaocf'doy, the interests of the minority
are not entirely disregarded.
Tho most important part of the Annual meoting is tho VOTE of each member. By this
veto's member can oithef start his Association on tho uphill road or the down-hill
road. It is, therefore, of tho utmost importance that each member use his voting
privilege intelligently and wisely. In order to do this tho members must bo"infonnod.
A membership that knows nothing or docs not understand tho problems confronting his
Association cannot uso his vote wisely. Mombors have a right to have a reasonable
amount of information concerning the actions of their Board of Directors. In our
Territorial, State and National governments it'is possible to find out how our repre
sentatives vote on bills that come before them. Our representatives publicly state
their attitudo towerd the problems that confront them and give reasons for that stand.
Surely the same privilcgo should bo accorded tho members of a cooperative.
Looking at the quostion from onothor angle—the officers in a cooperative aro better
protected in their positions when they inform members so that they (the'members) may
have something by which to judge the ...off icial actions of these officors. Understand
ing the probloms of tho Association also builds for greater loyalty becauso it gives
tho members an opportunity to holp faco tho responsibilities. Members ncod this
feeling of responsibility end sense of ownership.
J. V7. Jonos in a bulletin, "Membership Relations of Coopcrativo Associations" has
this to say —
"Cooperatives arc net really benefited by a blind or almost fanatical loyalty to ths
Association, beenuso members having such loyalty aro not inclined to bo analytical
or to demand tho economy and skill in administration that is ossontial to success.
Loyalty based on understanding of tho policios and problems and a foOling of owner
ship, resulting from participation in tho affairs of the Association, assist it in
meeting its problems or facing any crisis that may later develop.
"Members who fcol no sense of responsibility for their organization may patronize it
in fair weather but desert it at the first signs of storm, fthon success seems doubt
ful, they rithdrnw just as quickly as they would loavo a private enterprise to which
thoy had looked for marketing or purchasing services. Becauso difficulties aro in
evitable in any business, membership relations that will stand tho stress and strain
of changing economic conditions and periods of adversity are ossontial to permanent
success, "Information and participation are essential for building satisfactory
relations."
YE Sr'ALL EE SEEING YOU AT THE ANNUAL MEETING ON FEBRUARY 10,1947.
The Annual Mooting of the Stockholders of tho Mntanuska Volley Formers Cooperating *
Association will bo hald for voting and prObationdl Members and their families only,
on Monday, 7bbrunry 10.1947, at 10:00 a.m., at tho Community Hall, Palmer, 'Alaska.
Free lunch vrill be served,
MATANUSKA VALLEY FARMERS COOPERATING ASSOCIATION '
Clarence Hoffmon, Secretory.