President’s Perspective with David Dick

Membership

Hello! I hope this finds you all healthy and well! As you read the column, my first, we as an association are either at our annual Missouri Cattlemen’s Convention or at home post-convention. This annual event serves as a venue for policy formation, education, selection, award recognition, fundraising, re-union and fun! All are part of making MCA relevant in today’s cattle business and addressing the issues that keep us productive and profitable.

When I joined MCA 41 years ago, I had no idea of the scope and magnitude of the adventure that awaited me, all made available to me through belonging — membership. The experience, knowledge and camaraderie of what was to become my MCA family has been absolutely worth the price of admission — membership. When I joined at the age of 19 it was at the urging of my grandfather and my 4-H leader. Both gentlemen made certain I understood and reminded me that I needed to belong to the organizations that “sought to keep me in business and keep me profitable.”

So when Pettis County organized that December 7 in Hughesville, Missouri, I was present, paid my dues and became an MCA member right then and there!

It was amazing to me that I could become a member of such a large group — 400 present that night — let alone a gathering of individuals I considered my peers. That began my journey with an association that afforded me many educational opportunities, as well as others which included political awareness. Coupled with a lot of life lessons, it has been nothing short of awesome! All for the price of membership.

When I joined all those years ago, I had no great plan of becoming Missouri Cattlemen’s Association President. My motivation was primarily to become part

MCA President

of something larger with the idea that my membership would, educate me as well as keep me in business, whether through marketing knowledge or political action.

As we move forward in the new year, we must maintain our vigilance and attentiveness to issues. The election cycle is behind us, so now we turn our attention to the upcoming legislative session. The monitoring of filed bills is one of the things we do as an association, and one of our best tools is Cowboys at the Capitol. Our team of Nancy and Shannon will keep us informed and coupled with “our” help — Cowboys at the Capitol — our presence will be felt in an enlightening and educational way. Please be aware of when your region is at the Capitol, take the time and go to Jefferson City and make your voice heard in the halls of Capitol. This is something that, while it takes some time, proves to be immeasurably valuable.

In closing, I hope to see you somewhere along this path! I will certainly need your help to make MCA the best it can be!

P.S. Some of you will notice that I mentioned membership several times. We must always be active in asking people to join our association and become part of something larger. Please ask your neighbor or a friend to join today!