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CONVENTION

magazine

A MONTH AWAY! NDFUâ€™S 90TH ANNUAL CONVENTION IS SET FOR DEC. 9-10 AT THE BISMARCK EVENT CENTER

2016

STATE CONVENTION DEC. 9-10 • BISMARCK EVENT CENTER

Highlights • • • •

District caucuses Set Policy and Action Educational speakers Election of officers

• • • •

Torchbearer banquet Youth activities Entertainment Silent/live auctions

The 11 spires on Memorial Bridge in Bismarck symbolize the Armistice, which is the peace agreement reached at the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month of 1918 to end World War I.

CONVENTION MAGAZINE

FIND US ON THE WEB:

Convention Magazine is published each fall by North Dakota Farmers Union at 1415 12th Ave SE, Jamestown, ND 58401.

www.ndfu.org

http://issuu.com/ndfu

EDITOR: Chris Aarhus 800-366-8331 ext. 118 caarhus@ndfu.org Annual subscription is $30 with membership.

CONNECT WITH US:

Periodicals postage paid at Fargo, ND POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: NDFU • P.O. Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402-2136 Copies mailed this issue: 34,361 • USPS 016-211

Read the Union Farmer online

North Dakota Farmers Union North Dakota Farmers Union Youth Program ND Farmers Union Tours

@NDFarmersUnion

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President: Mark Watne • Vice President: Bob Kuylen • Secretary: Ellen Linderman Treasurer: Terry Borstad • Wes Niederman; Shane Sickler; Dennis Stromme; Jim Teigen and Ronda Throener

THE AGENDA

90th annual state convention • December 9-10, 2016 • Bismarck, N.D.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10

8 a.m.

Registration opens

7 a.m.

Balloting opens

Youth activities begin

7:15 a.m.

Registration opens

8:15 a.m.

County officer mini-training sessions

8 a.m.

Convention reconvenes

10 a.m.

Convention convenes

Financial report

Pledge of Allegiance – SYAC

Member Question and Answer

National anthem – Acapella Agents

Policy and Action consideration

FUMIC annual meeting

10:45 a.m. Speaker: Alan Guebert, award-

• FUMIC Credentials Committee

winning agricultural journalist and

author of The Farm and Food File

Report

• FUMIC Bylaws Committee report

Consideration of NDFU bylaws

• Minutes of 2015 FUMIC meeting

Collegiate Chapter Presentation

• Financial and annual reports – Mark

Noon Lunch

Anderson • President’s Report – Mark Watne

1 p.m.

Balloting closes

Camp songs/recap

11:30 a.m. District caucuses and lunch

SYAC presentations

1:15 p.m.

Speaker: David Wasserman, U.S.

Complete Policy and Action discussion

House editor and quantitative election

Final report of Credentials Committee

analyst for the Cook Political Report

Elections Committee report

2:20 p.m.

Nominations for candidates for NFU

Introduction of new board members

Delegates, NDFU President, Vice

4:30 p.m.

Torchbearer Ceremony

President and District Directors

Speaker: Erin Hill-Oban, state senator

2:40 p.m.

Bylaws Committee preliminary report

Torchbearer Award Ceremony

3 p.m.

Policy and Action introduction and

Bergman Scholarship presentation

debate

6 p.m.

NDFU members and Torchbearers

4:15 p.m.

Breakout sessions

banquet

5:30 p.m.

Adjourn meeting

8 p.m.

Social begins

6 p.m.

Evening festivities with buffet

Live and silent auctions

Deuces Wild! Dueling Pianos

Time to register for convention

orth Dakota Farmers Union members are invited to attend the state convention set for Dec. 9-10 at the Bismarck Event Center. The convention will offer delegates and members the opportunity to debate issues confronting family farmers and be active participants in determining policy for the organization. NDFU President Mark Watne said, “This is the time for farmers and ranchers to get involved and speak up about policies that affect them. We are a grassroots organization, and it’s important for members to attend the state convention.” Register online to expedite the process. Pre-registration is encouraged to help determine food and staffing needs. Pricing is as follows:

• Visit membership.ndfu.org and enter membership number found on your member card or the address label from the Union Farmer. • Enter password (click “Forgot Your Password?” if unknown and a password will be sent to your email. If you have not registered an email address with NDFU, call 1-800-366-8331 to have your member number and password issued to you). • Once inside the member portal, click “Enroll” in the right corner of the state convention box that is listed below your name, and then follow the on-screen instructions. There are no exchanges or refunds. Call 1-800-366-8331 or email ndfu@ndfu.org with any questions! Find your membership number on the back of the Union Farmer (shown below) or on your membership card.

Find your number here 1415 12th Ave SE PO Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402

EARLY DEC. 1

Convention $50 $70 Youth activities $30 $50 Daycare (ages 0-6) Free $30

P-10 P44 - 38000 **********MIXED ADC 50000 AP 100000 JOHN DOE 100 Farmers Union Way Any town, ND 00000-0000

PERIODICALS – POSTAGE PAID

Early-bird registration

Get involved and create change

ach year, delegates from counties across the state of North Dakota convene at the annual state convention to adopt the organization’s policy program. The policy lays out the ideas, concepts and programs North Dakota Farmers Union believes in or stands against. “We’re a grassroots organization which means our policies come from the members of the organization,” NDFU President Mark Watne said. “It’s essential that members speak up at their local and county meetings to bring their ideas forward to the state level.” A policy change can be voted on at the county level and be brought for consideration before the state delegates at the convention. The Policy and Action Committee, made up of leaders from across the state, also bring policy changes forward for consideration. NDFU’s Policy and Action is followed when the organization

lobbies on behalf of farmers, ranchers and rural communities at the state and national level. NDFU is also affiliated with National Farmers Union, based in Washington, D.C. Each year, NDFU sends a number of delegates, based upon total membership numbers, to the NFU convention. These delegates, who are elected at the NDFU State Convention, help shape the national policy program for the organization. Policies which are passed at the state level can be brought for consideration at the national convention. Delegates can also propose changes and additions to the national policy program from the floor during the NFU convention. If elected as an NFU delegate, there are a number of requirements. • Delegates to the national convention represent NDFU and must support the policies of the NDFU Policy and Action as adopted at the state convention. • Delegates must make it a

priority to learn the differences between the NDFU and NFU policies that are expected to arise. Before the national convention, NDFU staff will provide background on anticipated policy changes to the NFU policy. • Delegates are expected to attend all meetings of the national convention. Delegates are also expected to fully participate – including speaking on the floor – during policy debate. “We want to encourage active producers, board members, or others who will carry the North Dakota Farmers Union message to run for a national delegate position,” Watne said. There are also many benefits of being involved as a delegate. All travel and convention costs are covered. Other benefits include leadership development, social interaction, creating change through policy, meeting lawmakers, public speaking and making a difference in your state and community. s

CONVENTION OVERVIEW

David Wasserman is the U.S. House Editor and quantitative election analyst for the Cook Political Report. He will be speaking at the NDFU convention this year.

WASSERMAN, GUEBERT TO SPEAK

he annual meeting of North Dakota Farmers Union and Farmers Union Mutual Insurance begins at 10 a.m., Friday morning, followed by the president’s report. A buffet lunch will be served and members will pick up their food and go to their district caucuses. David Wasserman takes the stage after lunch. He is the U.S. House Editor and quantitative election analyst for the Cook Political Report. He “analyzes the current political environment in lively and entertaining presentations that he tailors to his audience’s specific interest.” Nominations for the delegates to the NFU national convention as well as president, vice president and district directors will ensue, followed by a preliminary report from the Bylaws Committee. Policy and Action introduction and debate will start at 3 p.m., and breakout sessions are set for 4:15 p.m. The social is at 5:30 p.m., with the evening festivities and silent and live auctions at 6 p.m. An autographed Kent Hrbek

Alan Guebert is an award-winning journalist and author of the The Farm and Food File. He will be speaking at the convention this year.

baseball, a Henry Agricultural Edition .22 ($1,299 value) and a Remington 870 200th Anniversary Edition shotgun ($590 value) will highlight the silent and live auctions. On Saturday, the convention continues with Policy and Action, where Farmers Union members will consider more policy positions. A member question and answer session will also take place. Alan Guebert, an awardwinning agricultural journalist who is the author of The Farm and Food File, takes the stage at 10:45 a.m., to speak on agricultural issues. Consideration of NDFU bylaws will precede lunch at noon. Final Policy and Action

discussion as well as adoption will start at 1 p.m. after the SYAC presentations. Also taking place is the final report of the Credentials Commitee, the Elections Committee report and the introduction of new board members. The Torchbearer Ceremony starts at 4:30 p.m., with state senator Erin Hill-Oban speaking. The banquet will follow. The convention will close with Deuces Wild! Dueling Pianos.

Youth activities

Youth convention will be available for grades K-12 with supervision being provided by Farmers Union summer staff. Daycare will be available for ages 0-6 on Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Toys, games and movies will entertain youth at the Event Center. This service will be provided by a licensed daycare professional. Meals will be provided. Follow NDFU on Facebook and Twitter @NDFarmersUnion. Check out #NDFUconvention. for Twitter updates. s

Torchbearers to be honored with ceremony On Saturday, 19 youths will be honored with their Torchbearer Award in recognition of their hard work and participation in North Dakota Farmers Union’s youth program. During the ceremony, speaker Erin Hill-Oban will share her insights on being a Torchbearer and how NDFU positively impacted her life. A special video will be featured during the ceremony. The 2016 Torchbearer Award winners are Maari

Dolan (Ray), Mikayla Fingarson (Edinburg), Alexandra Grenz (Jamestown), Allison Grote (McGregor), Clayton Henningsen (Monango), Heidi Jacob (Linton), Dillon Koepplin (Elgin), Kaylyn Obert (Stanley), Kelsey Perdue (Ray), Haylee Rustad (Roseglen), Sarah Schafer (Flasher), Dillon Schmitz (Manfred), Summer Steinwand (Monango), Lorenzo Strand (Nome), Christen Willer (Jamestown), Marissa Veach (Ray), Morgan Ziesch (Pettibone), Hailey Zwirner (Berlin), Samantha Zwirner (Berlin). s

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUTH CONVENTION! Youth will have fun at the state convention this year with all kinds of activities planned for each age group. Kids in grades K-12 can participate in convention. Cost for youth activities is $30 with pre-registration or $50 beginning Dec. 1. Tentative schedule (may be subject to change) 8 a.m. 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 3:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 9 Registration EPIC event – senior youth Art workshop – junior youth Heritage Center scavenger hunt State Capitol tour EPIC event – junior youth Art workshop – senior youth

SATURDAY, DEC. 10 Breakout with NDFU President Mark Watne Co-op games 10:30 a.m. Swimming, movie and other activities 8 a.m.

‘Deuces Wild!’ to provide entertainment Dueling pianos have excited more than 1,700 crowds over 14 years

Ted Manderfeld and Dave Eichholz from Deuces Wild! Dueling Pianos will put the finishing touches on the 2016 convention with an entertaining show. The duo has traveled more than a million miles without missing a show, having performed more than 1,700 shows over 14 years. According to wildpianos.com, Eichholz started the concept 18 years ago while performing at the Mall of America in Minneapolis. Now, the duo stays busy with private and public events throughout the year all over the nation. The entertainment starts at 8 p.m.! s

LIVE AND SILENT AUCTIONS

Live and silent auctions will again be featured on Friday night. Among the items are an autographed Kent Hrbek baseball as well as two prestigious guns. Hrbek was a first baseman and key player for the Minnesota Twins during their World Series championships in 1987 and 1991. A Henry Agricultural Edition .22 ($1,299 value) and a Remington 870 200th Anniversary Edition shotgun ($590 value) will also be up for bidding. Many items will be auctioned off with proceeds to benefit the NDFU Foundation.

The tractors that debuted at the 2015 state convention were a hit. They’ll be back for 2016!

Attend a Friday afternoon workshop Four different tracks will be held. Presentations will begin at 4:15 p.m.

• Grain Bin Entrapment by the North Dakota Safety Council • Farming with Technology – Internet of Things by Ryan Ruguse of Myriad Mobile • Grain and Commodity Marketing • Faith, Agriculture, Food and Environment: A New Idea of Development to Beat Hunger and Face the Challenges of the Third Millennium – Dr. Jim Ennis, President, International Catholic Rural Association

PERIODICALS – POSTAGE PAID

1415 12th Ave SE PO Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402

To register for convention, click on this code or go to:

www.ndfu.org

Best Western Ramkota

State Convention Housing

800 S 3rd Street Bismarck

Bismarck Dec. 9-10, 2016

$109.00 + TAX

• Rates guaranteed until Nov. 22 • Use code NDFU16 to reserve

State Convention shuttle available

Reservations for committee members are the only ones being handled by the state office.

CONVENTION HEADQUARTERS

701-258-7700

Radisson Hotel RESERVE ONLINE:

http://www.radisson.com/reservation Promotional Code: NDFU16

605 E Broadway - Bismarck

701-255-6000

www.ndfu.org • 800-366-8331

Expressway Inn

Expressway Suites

701-222-2900

701-222-3311

180 E Bismarck Expwy Bismarck

$96.00 + TAX

$75.95 + TAX

State Convention shuttle available

Candlewood Suites

Fairfield Inn & Suites North

MainStay Suites

Bismarck

4400 Skyline Crossings 701-751-8900

$114.00 + TAX

1120 Century Ave 701-223-9077

$109.00 + TAX

Comfort Inn

Hampton Inn

Bismarck

$80.00 + TAX

$109.00 + TAX

1030 E Interstate Ave 701-223-1911

1440 Mapleton Ave 701-751-3100

$80.95 + TAX

2507 N 9th St

701-223-9119

$89.00 + TAX

Ramada Bismarck Hotel & Conference Center Exit 159 & I-94 - Bismarck 701-258-7000

$79.00 + TAX

Comfort Suites

Hampton Inn & Suites

Holiday Inn

Bismarck

$124.00 + TAX

$104.00 + TAX

929 Gateway Ave

2020 Schafer Street

701-223-4009

701-751-5656

LaQuinta Inn & Suites

Ramada Limited Suites

Bismarck

$90.00 + TAX

2240 N 12th St 701-751-3313

$95.00 + TAX

3808 E Divide Ave 701-221-3030

$85.00 + TAX

3903 State Street 701-751-8240

Staybridge Suites 2801 Gateway Ave Bismarck

701-223-1499

$109.99 + TAX