EVP REPORT
What Makes a Good Organization? By Dale Sandlin
The Country Music Hall of Fame recently announced this year’s class of inductees – and this year’s roster includes a rare exception to the list of artists honored in this manner: former RCA label executive Joe Galante. Galante is widely known for developing the modern system of selling records. In a recent interview with radio DJ Bobby Bones on his show “BobbyCast,” former head of RCA Nashville Joe Galante shared his philosophy on the elements of his success within the music industry: “It’s a personal business; sometimes it’s that personal relationship that gets you over the hump. It’s always a people business; whether it be a songwriter, producer or manager, it’s always a people business.” Much like the music business, I believe that there is a parallel with a membership organization – such as the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association. Our organization, as well as our industry, is a people business. Since we are a membership organization, our members are critical to our success. We rely on each other to ensure that the industry is supported and elevated in all that we do. In addition, one of GCA’s main functions is the networking component. A key observation that I hear over and over is this: One of the biggest benefits, outside of our legislative representation, is that most members join and remain as members is networking. Learning from each other – in both successes and failures – is a valuable resource that we can all use from time to time. Our organization runs on volunteer leadership. Without the selfless service of those involved, our organization would lack direction and function. These people make the difference in how effective we are. Our 8
GEORGIA CATTLEMAN | AUGUST 2022
organization needs all cattle producers to participate in the organization for us to be successful. Reaching out to our friends and neighbors to ensure that our membership is strong empowers us to be effective. Lastly, our staff makes a profound difference in our success as well. While volunteer leadership provides direction, our staff provides coordination and execution. I was told years ago that the most important investment you can make is in the people you surround yourself with. I’m proud to say that our staff is the best in the country. To that end, GCA is proud to welcome Shelby Kirton to our staff as our Organizational Coordinator. Shelby is originally from Florida; she completed her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science at the University of Florida and her master’s degree in Agricultural Communications at Oklahoma State University. We’re excited to have her join our team – and we hope that you will help make her feel welcome. Knowing that we have a support system around us of people who care can make all the difference in our daily life. Within our industry, we share a common bond: the love for the land; the care of natural resources that we’ve been entrusted to steward; the love of cows; and the enjoyment of our relationship within nature. In another interview, Galante was quoted as saying, “What makes Nashville special is the fact that we have this songwriting community. People see each other as one big family. And that’s what makes it special.” I hope that you feel as I do: that the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association is one big family – with all of us working together to advance and strengthen this industry that we love.
