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Special committee to look at OFBF structure, governance and programming

by Joe Cornely

By most measuring sticks, Ohio Farm Bureau is on a roll: Annual recognition from the American Farm Bureau for some of the nation's best programming; 39 years of consecutive membership growth; financial stability, and a recent slate of improvements and expansions in legislative and public relations activities on behalf of its members.

The fact that things are going so well for the organization makes now the perfect time to carefully examine what needs to be improved upon, according to OFBF President Bob Peterson. "We want to make the best even better," said the Fayette County farmer.

Peterson is in the process of appointing a task force charged with studying the relationships between state and county organizations, their governance, structure, programming, membership criteria and finances.

"This is in response to a lot of county leaders' questions and thoughts as to ways we can interact better and be more efficient," Peterson explained.

The task force will include 22 county Farm Bureau leaders – one from each state board district – and six members of the OFBF board of trustees. The committee will be chaired by OFBF first Vice President Jeff Zellers, who will be joined by Peterson and state Treasurer Brent Porteus as ex officio members.

Membership is one area to be examined. Questions include whether there should be different types and costs of memberships for active and associate members, should membership term options be available, how and where should memberships be processed and whether there are advantages to offering credit card or other electronic payment alternatives.

Also under examination will be the county office structure. The task force will look at the number of offices needed, staffing, management, duties, efficiency and ease of member interaction.

One of the major drivers behind this study, according to Peterson, is the recognition that Farm Bureau needs to adapt to its members' changing lifestyles. He recalled that OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher touched on this during his speech at this summer's Leadership Conference.

Fisher told attendees that Farm Bureau must "find ways to tackle the never ending workload without asking volunteers to tackle never ending work. The solution doesn’t come from seeking more participants who fit the Farm Bureau mold. The solution lies in molding Farm Bureau to make it fit more people. The outcome will be a Farm Bureau that overwhelms you with success without overwhelming you with work."

Peterson said another key charge for the task force is to look at governance at the county level. He explained the main priority is to keep control over Farm Bureau in the hands of farmers. Some of the questions include the size and makeup of the county board and the role of officers. Tied to the discussions about leadership will be an assessment of how to bring more focus to county programs and activities. For example, a question centers on whether standing committees can be better organized to more efficiently carry out Farm Bureau policies and goals.

Other potential subjects to be examined include the use of technology to improve state and county operations, keeping counties compliant with tax and other legal requirements, the role of organization directors and development of new volunteer leaders for the organization.

The task force will receive input from multiple sources, according to Peterson. It will compile a report, which will be presented to the state board of trustees by Oct. 1, 2007.

Peterson said he’s excited to see Farm Bureau taking a proactive approach aimed at keeping the organization relevant and viable in the future. "Successful farms and businesses don't stand still," he said. "Neither do successful organizations."

Caption: OFBF President Bob Peterson encouraged Leadership Conference attendees to constantly seek improvement in their organization.