famous Benjamin Franklin quote, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Based on 100 years of evidence, I think we could add to the quote another certainty – “Cattlemen will choose a party over a board meeting.” In all sincerity, while it’s true that cattlemen and cattlewomen enjoy a good party, it is truly humbling to reflect on all the prior generations that devoted their time, resources and talents to build a strong future for California’s beef industry. The generations before us also had the foresight and continued belief that our future is better secured when we fight as a collective group rather than as an individual, further embracing and proving for 99 years that we are stronger when we fight together. Our association has overcome and survived 10 decades, despite external pressures and internal disagreements. Every generation of ranchers has had their challenges to overcome, and each year CCA has tackled those challenges on behalf of all ranchers throughout the state. There has never been a time in the history of CCA where all ranchers have belonged to the association, but for 99 years every rancher in the state of California has benefited from the work of CCA. All CCA members can
take pride in the fact that they are a part of something that is larger than themselves, and they are contributing not only to the strength of an association that has endured for 99 years but are shaping the future of the industry for the next 100 years and beyond. Whether you’re excited by board meetings or banquets, I hope you will consider joining us at the Nugget in Sparks, Nev. for our 99th convention to help shape the current direction of our association and industry. If you think it’s too far way or you’re worried about spending that many days away from the ranch, consider this: Throughout the 1920s, CCA negotiated discounted rates with the railroad industry so cattlemen could more affordably obtain a ticket to travel to San Francisco. How convenient was it to travel from Modoc or Fresno County to San Francisco by train in the 1920s? Come leave your mark on history and share your timeless wisdom with CCA staff and possibly be quoted in the November 2117 edition of the California Cattleman magazine. When you do show up to join your fellow cattlemen and cattlewomen at the 99th Annual Convention, here are a few guidelines borrowed from the 1920 November issue of California Cattleman:
10 WAYS TO HELP AN ORGANIZATION 1. Attend all meetings. 2. Be on time – always. 3. It is part of YOUR important business. Let nothing keep you away. 4. Encourage officers and field men – show your appreciation of the work they are doing for you. 5. Cheerfully accept office – or a place on a committee. It gives you an opportunity to render a service. 6. Set a good example to your officers and other committeemen by a faithful performance to duty. 7. Wisely and discreetly join in all deliberations and show your interest in matters of common moment. 8. Have the utmost confidence in your fellow members. Freely give, freely take – HELP. 9. Pay your dues promptly – do it gladly – do it with a relish. We cannot run an organization on wind or hope deferred, which maketh the heart sick. 10. The stronger the organization the better for you, the better for all. ENCOURAGE NEW MEMBERS TO JOIN.
10 WAYS TO KILL AN ORGANIZATION 1. Miss as many meetings as you can. 2. If you do attend, come in just as the meeting adjourns. 3. If the weather is not fine, telephone you can’t come – car’s out of whack. 4. Then when you do attend, find fault with all the work that has been done during your absence. 5. Decline all offices. It is easier to criticize than to attempt anything. “A man must serve his time to every trade save censure; critics are always made.” 6. Get sore if you are appointed on a committee and get sorer if you are not. If appointed, be sure and forget what the committee is to do and when it is to meet. 7. If you are asked for a suggestion, don’t have any ideas but be ready to tell how much better you could have done it. 8. Do nothing, say nothing, think nothing, and you see others roll up their sleeves and do the work, kick because this is a “clique” running things. 9. Never pay your dues and never answer any letters. Never get any new members. 10. Above all, “LET GEORGE DO IT.”
IF YOU HAVE NOT PRE-REGISTERED FOR THE 99TH ANNUAL CCA & CCW CONVENTION, IT'S NOT TOO LATE! ON-SITE REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE, SO WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE NUGGET NOV. 19-21! November 2015 California Cattleman 7