MESSAGE FROM THE EVP
ICA meeting is perfect time to get off the bench, be engaged Every producer across the state benefits from our work, but we need people to ‘show up’ and be counted
A
s we move further into fall and approach the winter months, the time for annual meetings has arrived. The ICA annual meeting is Nov. 15-17 in Sun Valley. I’m sure you’ve seen this information in our publication for the past couple of months. This column is not to highlight that event, but to stress the importance of engagement, yet again, because our association has continued to have success through the engagement of our membership. “Decisions are made by those who show up.” This particular comment is one I have heard in past discussions, and although I would like to think otherwise, I do believe there is some validity to it. If you do not attend or join a discussion, how can your voice be heard? I am confident the messages of our engaged members in each area of our state are being presented to and heard through the elected Board of Directors. However, in order to fully engage, we need to have an event that brings us together. For example, just as the local high school basketball game brings members of the community together, it also provides a platform for people to visit with other members of their community. We don’t all agree on every topic, just as we don’t necessarily agree with the calls made by the coaches or players as the game unfolds. But the fact of the matter is the platform provides insight on the topic at hand: the basketball game. But I digress. The discussions and input be-
8 LINE RIDER NOVEMBER 2021
BY CAMERON MULRONY
ICA Executive Vice President
tween members of our community are much larger: who got their fall grain in first, whose calves brought the most at the market, which place might be up for sale or rent, who has hay available. Each of these topics floats around the “concession stand” and at our “halftime” discussions at our convention. Simply put, this annual gathering gets producers, suppliers, supporters and others engaged in discussions regarding the items that affect their respective community.
HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD BE INVOLVED WITH THE ICA
The point of my message here is to stay engaged in our beef community. Engage at all levels, and ask your neighboring community members to engage. We need more voices, in addition to the voices of those who “show up.” We all have a neighbor, friend, relative or in-law who is not engaged, not a member, not a joiner, not a problem solver — but should be. They often ask, WHY? Why should I? What has the Idaho Cattle Association done for me? The answer is simple: Every producer across the state has benefited from the work of the ICA. Some of it is made public, but a lot of things are done more quietly and efficiently. So for those who ask why they should engage or get involved, I provide the following list. This is not all-encompassing, but it does include a portion of the vast topics that have been addressed by ICA staff and leadership in just the past few months. This doesn’t serve as a place to elaborate on the list, but if you have questions, engage with our staff or your leadership to help drive the conversations! CONTINUED, PAGE 10 www.idahocattle.org
