JULY | AUGUST 2016
Almond Facts
41
• Act in the interests of all members rather than any
particular member constituency, while understanding
and balancing the concerns of other stakeholders,
including employees, customers, and communities.
• Be willing to challenge management constructively about
corporate strategy, the adequacy of internal resources, the
soundness of controls and integrity in business conduct.
• Be able to work as part of a team in an environment
of trust.
• In light of their other commitments, be willing and able
to devote the time and effort necessary to serve as an
effective director, including preparation for Board and
committee meetings.
Requirements for Nomination:
• A petition signed by 15 members from the district in
which the potential nominee wishes to run, filed by
September 1.
• An optional statement of candidacy (written statement
of not more than 500 words stating the candidate’s
qualifications and interest in being a director) filed by
September 10.
Grower Liaison Committee
Blue Diamond’s
Grower Liaison Committee (GLC) comprises
nine growers elected by the membership in their respective
districts for three-year terms, plus three members appointed
by the committee. Three GLC positions in each district are
up for election each year.
These committees serve as a communication link between
members and the board and management of
Blue Diamond
.
They meet two times each year with their district director
and management to discuss issues of concern and crop status,
but may request additional meetings. To become a candidate,
file a petition signed by five
Blue Diamond
members in your
district by September 1. Incumbent members from each
committee are responsible for ensuring that there is at least
one candidate for each vacancy on the committee.
Advisory Committee
The advisory committee provides even closer communication
between the Board, the GLCs and the membership. It is
made up of two members appointed from and by each of the
nine GLCs. Advisory committee members meet periodically
with management and members of the board of directors for
in-depth discussions on issues that affect the membership.
A Commitment to Communication
This matrix for gathering and disseminating information
establishes open, two-way communication among the
membership, Board of Directors and management. If you
have attended a
Blue Diamond
district or annual meeting in
recent years, you will have seen the process at work. The
meetings include not only reports to the members on the
status of the business and industry trends, but also question
and answer periods in which members can bring up any
issue of concern related to the co-op’s business. Management
and directors often arrive early and stay after the meetings
conclude to discuss topics with members one-on-one to
ensure that all questions are addressed.
Being a co-op member involves an ownership responsibility
that includes being well informed and involved in the off-
farm half of your business. It’s your co-op. Take part in its
activities. Help keep it successful and growing!
2016 Election Deadlines
and Procedures
9/1
Deadline for filing petitions
9/10 Deadline for filing a statement of not more than
500 words
9/16 Ballots mailed for primary election of directors
9/28 Postmark deadline for primary election
10/6 Election Committee meets to canvas ballots in
primary election of directors.
10/12 Results of the primary election are mailed to
members in districts having primary elections.
10/21 A copy of primary election results of directors is
mailed to each member in all districts. Notice of
annual meeting and first proxy mailed to members.
Ballots mailed for statewide election.
11/4 Deadline for postmark of ballots in statewide
election of directors and Grower Liaison
Committee members.
11/10 Election Committee meets to canvass ballots.
11/16 106th Annual Member Meeting. General election
results announced.
