The Year of the Co-op

By Terri Dallas, Vice President, Member Relations, GENEX

It’s official. I am declaring 2019 as the Year of the Co-op. I’m not talking about co-ops in general. I’m saying 2019 is the Year of the Co-op for GENEX! It’s time to take a stand and remind everyone that being a cooperative differentiates GENEX! Member ownership, member loyalty and cooperative ideals are extremely important to us. They were important when our predecessor cooperatives were formed decades ago, and they are important today.

I will be the first to admit we haven’t always waved the cooperative flag as high or as fast as we could have, but that’s changing! This is your GENEX where your membership – and your input – matters!

Now is the time to share your input by becoming a GENEX delegate. Each year GENEX holds delegate elections. It’s a time when you – our progressive, business-minded and loyal GENEX members – are asked to step up your involvement in your cooperative.

As an elected delegate, you serve your membership region and district for one year. During that year, you have two primary duties. You are expected to attend and share input at a fall delegate meeting and at the GENEX annual meeting held in Minnesota in March. It’s that easy, yet it’s a vital component of GENEX as a cooperative. Here's how it works:

The Co-op Delegate Election Process

1. Any U.S. dairy or beef producer who purchased $500 of semen or products from GENEX between May 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019, and has a signed membership agreement on file with GENEX qualifies as a member.

2. GENEX members will be mailed a letter in June explaining the delegate election process. Enclosed with the letter will be a postcard where a member can nominate himself or herself to be a delegate.

3. Members interested in becoming a delegate should complete the card and mail it back to GENEX. The names of those who nominated themselves will be compiled and ballots created.

4. In early July, ballots will be sent to members. Members will vote for delegates who reside in their membership region and district.

5. Ballots are returned to Shawano, votes are counted, and delegates and alternates are notified.

Have questions about the process or about serving as a delegate, contact me (Terri Dallas) at tdallas@genex.coop or 888.333.1783. Remember, your input matters to your co-op, and here's your opportunity to share it!

Why Become a Delegate?

Your fellow members say it best:

Israel Handy, GENEX Council Member and dairy producer from St Johnsville, New York

“During my time as a delegate, I learned to understand and appreciate the role delegates play in our co-op. A co-op is owned by its members, and delegates are the direct representation of members. I was impressed how the council and management asked for advice during the meetings and how they followed it. Every time.” -- Israel Handy, GENEX Council Member, St. Johnsville, New York

Brian Schouten, GENEX delegate and dairy producer from San Jacinto, California

“This was my first year being a delegate. I wanted to be a GENEX delegate because I want to know what’s going on in the field of genetics. I feel genetics is the most important part of a dairy, and I wanted to be a part of a cooperative that is leading the way. As a delegate, I look forward to working with the council members and helping GENEX grow even stronger.” -- Brian Schouten, GENEX Delegate, San Jacinto, California

Aimee Moehring, GENEX delegate and dairy producer from Waldo, Wisconsin

“Delegates and council members are actively involved in the direction and decision-making for the future of GENEX. I believe the cooperative structure of GENEX is an advantage because it keeps management closer to members and customers.” -- Aimee Moehring, GENEX Delegate, Waldo, Wisconsin