8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 2025 NC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Richard (Dick) Pierce*, Miller, (308) 440-2489 PRESIDENT-ELECT: Craig Uden*, Johnson Lake, (308) 325-0285 VICE PRESIDENT: Eric Hansen, North Platte, (308) 530-3899 PAST PRESIDENT: Jerry Kuenning*, Lemoyne, (308) 883-8382 SECRETARY/TREASURER: Laura Field, Lincoln, (402) 326-7743 MEMBER SERVICES VICE CHAIR BY REGION 1 – Jaclyn Wilson, Lakeside, (308) 762-3196 2 – Lydia O’Brien, Whitman, (308) 546-7349 3 – Allan Louthan, Stanton, (402) 841-6601 4 – 5 – Jim Edwards, Ord, (308) 750-0881 6 – Bob Wiseman, Hershey, (308) 530-3137 7 – Heath Clausen, Leigh, (402) 750-4433 8 – Becky Funk, DVM, Lawrence, (308) 360-3179 9 – Erica Schluntz, Naponee, (308) 920-3191 COW-CALF COUNCIL CHAIR: Travis Chrisman, Wauneta, (308) 883-6781 VICE CHAIR: Jake Johnson, Hastings, (402) 984-8824 FARMER-STOCKMAN COUNCIL CHAIR: Dwight Dam, Hooper, (402) 720-4250 VICE CHAIR: FEEDLOT COUNCIL CHAIR: Ryan Danehey, Manhattan, Kan., (308) 440-8267 VICE CHAIR: Daron Huyser, Lexington, (308) 233-4368 SEEDSTOCK COUNCIL CHAIR: James Felt, Wakefield, (402) 287-2488 VICE CHAIR: Kristian Rennert, Elm Creek, (308) 440-9463 ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL Jake Pullen, Aurora, (308) 380-9040 ~ COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ~ ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION CHAIR: Jeff Heldt, Scottsbluff, (308) 641-5781 CHAIR-ELECT: Scott Reynolds, DVM, Broken Bow, (308) 870-0970 BRAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS CHAIR: Matt Blackford, Thedford, (402) 322-1377 CHAIR-ELECT: Robert Star, Hershey, (308) 520-3488 EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CHAIR: Suzanne Jagels, Davenport, (402) 469-3374 CHAIR-ELECT: Kelly Terrell, Gothenburg, (308) 930-2162 MARKETING AND COMMERCE CHAIR: Chance McLean, Stromsburg, (402) 366-2254 CHAIR-ELECT: Marshall Hansen, Omaha, (402) 616-4541 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT CHAIR: Sam Drinnin, Grand Island, (402) 910-0233 CHAIR-ELECT: Logan Pribbeno, Imperial, (308) 883-7770 TAXATION CHAIR: Stephen Sunderman, Norfolk, (402) 750-0149 CHAIR-ELECT: Steven Wellman, Syracuse, (402) 269-7024 MEMBER SERVICES CHAIR: Quentin Dailey, Lexington, (308) 293-1144 NEBRASKA LIVESTOCK MARKETING ASSOCIATION REP. Bryce Dibbern, Interior, S.D., (308) 293-7766 UNL EXTENSION REPRESENATIVE Erin Laborie, Beaver City, (419) 494-3872 UNL REPRESENTATIVE Deb VanOverbeke, Lincoln, (402) 714-5879 * member of the Executive & Finance Committee INSIGHTS WHY? JACLYN WILSON, LAKESIDE NC MEMBER SERVICES VICE CHAIR – REGION 1 I spent a couple of days over the holiday season with my niece and nephew. There was a period of time when they were little when every other word out of their mouths was “Why?” Being around interns, I felt like my patience level was untouchable, until I would be in the presence of those two, and I realized that I still had a lot of work to do. Fortunately those days have gone, but now I seem to find myself being the one who asks “Why?” An industry is only as good as the associations that represent it, and the associations are only as good as their staff, and the staff is only as good as the direction members give them. It really is that simple, right? Then why isn’t every single beef producer or every person associated with the beef industry a member of an association? I’ve heard all the excuses. I don’t like this policy. Or, you lobbied for that, and I hate that. If you could get rid of brand inspection I’d join. If you’d expand brand inspection I’d join. If you only allowed people to join who brand on the left hip with a one-iron brand, and it must be hot, but that animal can only be dragged to a fire with a registered AQHA, blue roan, double-Eddie-bred horse, my membership form is in the mail. The list goes on. I may be on one or two social media sites, and producers don’t lack the ability to speak up when something doesn’t go the way they think it should. Yet, have they filled out a membership form? Do they want to have a spot at the table? Seems like a lot of them would just rather complain. Why? How can we make our association better so that people want to join? For me, it starts at the grassroots local affiliate level, hosting education, networking and meetings that are worth people taking the time to attend. After attending a number of local meetings this year, here are some of my thoughts. • Education should begin with your officer team or steering committee. Simple introductions to how Nebraska Cattlemen, Cattlemen’s Beef Board, Beef Council and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association all work and work together are important. Keeping everyone updated on events and topics coming down the pipeline is also important. • Develop a strategic plan. Whether it be for a year or multiple years, work on writing down what goals are attainable in that time frame. • Follow up on the plan and adjust as needed. • Determine what works for meetings in your affiliate and stick with them. Sometimes it works to plan the meeting dates for an entire year so everyone can get them on their calendars, and hopefully not as much last-minute planning will occur. • Quality programming. A great social is always nice, but educational programming, tours, events, etc., can also bring people together. • Ask nonmembers to attend, and if there are those who are just paying “social club” dues, ask them to join Nebraska Cattlemen. CONTINUED ON PAGE 55
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