Message from the President

The key to our success

Painting the picture for how ICA focuses on connection & communication.

BY KIM BRACKETT ICA President

Happy new year to you and your families. I typically like to pause at year-end to remember the previous year’s successes and challenges, thinking about lessons learned and how to do just a little better in the new year. Reflecting on Idaho Cattle Association (ICA)’s work over the past year, it’s my belief that the key to our success is a focus on connection and communication. ICA connects with legislators and agencies to communicate our members’ feedback on relevant issues. We then re-connect with members to communicate the results of working with legislators and agencies. ICA also connects with other associations to communicate on issues specific to their mission that are relevant to all of Idaho’s cattle industry. Throughout this new year, ICA is re-committing to solid two-way communication with our members and our industry partners.

For me, the keywords in this definition are ‘successful exchange’.

According to Merriam-Webster, communication is “the successful exchange of ideas or information between individuals or entities”. For me, the keywords in this definition are ‘successful exchange’. More than once I have found myself thinking that I am communicating, only to realize that I have been in lecture mode (just ask my kids!). Taking the time to thoughtfully convey information and intentionally listen to what the other party has to say is a skill that is developed over time. ICA recognizes the importance of communication and remains dedicated to engaging with all of our partners.

In order to maintain communication with our members, ICA intends to have staff or leadership attend as many of your local cattle association meetings as possible throughout the year. Sharing your upcoming meeting dates with our staff will ensure that we get it on our calendars! During my time on the ICA board, my favorite part has been attending local and district meetings. Learning from you about what issues are impacting your operation and elaborating on how ICA can help.- it ensures that we are grounded in the grassroots issues and provides us with an opportunity to visit with you about the work we have done around the state on those issues.

Another example of how ICA connects on various levels is the ability to appoint or nominate individuals to several different organization’s board of directors throughout Idaho. Case in point, ICA appoints a representative to serve on the Rinker Rock Creek Advisory Board. ICA also recommends representatives for the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission to the Governor’s office, where he makes the final decision. As our state population expands, there is increased pressure on the resources of all beef organizations. Strengthening lines of communication amongst these groups, will help streamline the work we do and ensure that we are being strategic when making resourcing decisions. I am committed to continuing the work to increase communication between ICA and each of those boards by inviting those producer representatives to share an update with the ICA Board of Directors to discuss shared successes and challenges.

Please help us in pursuing the opportunities to connect and communicate by sharing those opportunities for ICA representatives to attend local events! Keep engaging in those conversations that support our ‘successful exchange of ideas & information’, so that we can continue to be a statewide representative for all.