POLICY COMMITTEES

Policy which guides association legislative and regulatory monitoring throughout the year originates in five committees: Animal Health and Nutrition, Brand & Property, Education, Marketing and Commerce, Natural Resources and Environment, and Taxation.

The committees meet at every annual meeting to recommend policy to the membership. The President or Committee Chairman can call a meeting(s) between annual meetings. The Board assigns responsibilities for eachstudy committee.  Committee members are selected by each affiliate, as well as from the Seedstock and FeedlotCouncils. At the request of the association office, each affiliate submits the name of an active member for eachcommittee. Also, the Seedstock Council and the Feedlot Council submit names of as many active members aseach has on the Board. Within 60 days of the annual meeting the President-Elect appoints the members of thecommittees and a chairman and vice chairman for each. He can also appoint up to four at large members toeach committee.

The special purpose committees are: Legislative; Membership and Revenue Development; Nominations & Leadership Development; and Resolutions.

HOW AN IDEA BECOMES NC POLICY

The policy-making process for NC begins with individual members who submit policy proposals to the association. Local affiliates, one of the four NC Councils or the Board of Directors also may submit policy proposals. These proposals are referred to the appropriate policy study committee. Resolutions and policy statements are approved by each policy study committee and are then delivered to the Resolutions Committee. This step usually occurs directly prior to or concurrent with the NC Annual Meeting.  The Resolutions Committee presents the proposed policies to the full membership during the Annual Meeting. The full membership then votes to accept or not accept the policy. Resolutions and policy statements require a majority vote of the active members present. 

Policy proposals may also be made from the floor during the Annual Meeting. A simple majority of the active members present is required for consideration, and a two-thirds majority for passage. The Board of Directors has the authority to adopt interim policy between annual membership meetings on any subject or matters not covered at the last annual meeting.  Resolutions and policy statements expire one calendar year from the date they are accepted.

Committees

ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION

The committee is comprised of a chairman and vice-chairman appointed by the President, three members appointed by the Seedstock Council Chairman, six members appointed by the Feedlot Council Chairman, one member appointed by each of the local affiliated associations and up to four at-large members appointed by the President (Article IX, Section 2 of the By-laws).  Purposes of the committee: To develop policy recommendations on legislative and regulatory issues affecting animal health, nutrition, and research relating to these issues. To work with regulatory agencies, academic institutions, Extension service and other industry organizations regarding these issues.  Subject areas assigned:  Animal health, medications and drugs; Health regulations governing livestock movement; Disease control and eradication; Nutrition, including livestock feed and additives; Genetics and animal breeding; Animal welfare; and Teaching, research and facilities relating to these issues.

BRAND & Property

The committee is comprised of a chairman and vice-chairman appointed by the President, three members appointed by the Seedstock Council Chairman, six members appointed by the Feedlot Council Chairman, one member appointed by each of the local affiliated associations and up to four at-large members appointed by the President (Article IX, Section 2 of the By-laws).  Purposes of the committee:  To develop policy recommendations on legislative and regulatory issues affecting livestock identification and theft prevention.  To work with agencies and other industry organizations regarding these issues.  Subject areas assigned:  Brands; Livestock identification; Livestock theft, and Brand legislation.

EDUCATION

The committee is comprised of a chairman and vice-chairman appointed by the President, one member appointed by each of the local affiliated associations, and each NC Council, with up to four at large (Article IX, Section 2 of the By-laws.) Purposes of the the committee:monitor education bills and oversee educational programs within the association. The committee is to be the liaison committee betwein NC and UNL or other Ag teaching Junior Colleges or State Colleges. Subject areas assigned include: School consolidation and reorganization; School financing; University of Nebraska issues; State school issues; Educational activities.

MARKETING & COMMERCE

The committee is comprised of a chairman and vice-chairman appointed by the President, three members appointed by the Seedstock Council Chairman, six members appointed by the Feedlot Council Chairman, one member appointed by each of the local affiliated associations and up to four at-large members appointed by the President (Article IX, Section 2 of the By-laws).  Purposes of the committee:  To develop policy recommendations on issues affecting the marketing of live cattle and the marketing of and demand for beef and beef products.   To work with agencies and other industry organizations regarding these issues.   Subject areas assigned:  Market news and information; Grading; Futures markets and trading; Concentration and integration within the industry; Inspection; Weights and measurements; Exports and foreign markets; Imports; Meat inspection; Beef Check-off; New product development; Labeling; Government purchases of meat; and Branded beef.

NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT

The committee is comprised of a chairman and vice-chairman appointed by the President, three members appointed by the Seedstock Council Chairman, six members appointed by the Feedlot Council Chairman, one member appointed by each of the local affiliated associations and up to four at-large members appointed by the President (Article IX, Section 2 of the By-laws).  Purposes of the committee:  To develop policy recommendations on legislative and regulatory issues regarding water, environment and other natural resources.  To work with academic institutions, regulatory agencies, Extension Service and other industry organizations regarding these issues.  Subject areas assigned:  Animal waste management; Zoning; Air pollution and air quality; Water pollution and air quality; Wilderness areas; Pesticides and agricultural chemicals; FIFRA; Weed control; Endangered species; Animal Damage Control programs; Storage tanks; and Public Land matters, state and national.

TAXATION

The committee is comprised of a chairman and vice-chairman appointed by the President, three members appointed by the Seedstock Council Chairman, six members appointed by the Feedlot Council Chairman, one member appointed by each of the local affiliated associations and up to four at-large members appointed by the President (Article IX, Section 2 of the By-laws).  Purposes of the committee:  To develop policy recommendations on legislative and regulatory issues affecting taxation and education.  To work with agencies, academic institutions and other organizations regarding these issues.  Subject areas assigned:   Personal property taxes; Land valuation for taxation purposes; Income and sales taxes; Capital gains taxes; Estate taxes; School consolidation and reorganization; and School financing.

RESOLUTIONS

The committee is comprised of the three officers, the immediate Past President, the chairman and vice-chairman of the five standing committees and the four Council Chairmen (Article IX, Section 6 of the By-laws). This committee is chaired by the President-Elect.  Purpose of the committee:  To screen the resolutions from each policy committee and council prior to presentation to the membership at the Annual Business Meeting. The committee shall scrutinize each resolution for duplications, proper language and simplicity. The committee is expressly prohibited from changing the philosophy or intent of the resolution. If received from an improper source or committee, it should be referred to the appropriate committee for consideration.

LEGISLATIVE

The committee is comprised of a chairman and vice-chairman of the five standing committees, the four Council Chairmen, the immediate Past President and the three officers (Article IX, Section 6 of the By-laws). The committee is chaired by the President-Elect.  The committee shall:  Meet during the third or fourth week of the legislative session to assess the bills which have been introduced; Report to the Board on the position that the Association policy requires on each of the bills and who has been assigned to monitor and testify on each bill; Recommend action to the Board on any bills for which the Association does not have adequate policy; Set interim policy, if necessary; and Report to the Board on the results of the session.

MEMBER SERVICES

The committee is comprised of one member appointed by the President from each of the nine NC Regions, a chairman appointed by the President and a vice-chairman who will be the NC Vice President. (Article IX, Section 8 of the By-laws).  Purposes of the committee:  To develop policy recommendations on membership classifications, dues, dues enforcement, solicitation and drop procedures, and membership promotion efforts.  Assist in implementing membership problems/opportunities and report them immediately to staff or officers.  Be alert to any membership problems/opportunities and report them immediately to staff or officers.   Inform members and potential members about NC programs and activities.

NOMINATIONS & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The committee is comprised of the immediate past president, who also serves as chairman, one member elected by each of the four councils, one member appointed by the immediate past present during his term of office and one member appointed by the current president for a two-year term (Article IX, Section 9 of the By-laws).  Purposes of the committee:  To identify, screen and nominate one candidate for each of the following offices: President, President-Elect, Vice President, Chairman and Vice Chairman for each of the councils.  To recommend methods to promote and cultivate new leadership and identify potential new leaders.  Select the Cattleman of the Year.  Select NCBA’s Young Cattlemen’s Council Tour Representative.