12
Almond Facts
JULY | AUGUST 2017
Co-op Election Season Kicks Off
Blue Diamond
members are encouraged to exercise one of their rights and responsibilities as owners
of the cooperative: electing members of the Board of Directors and Grower Liaison Committees. The
annual election is an opportunity for members to help shape policy through the ballot box or run for a
seat of their own. Member involvement is crucial to the success of any cooperative and is even more so
to
Blue Diamond
as it competes in a fast-changing, highly competitive industry.
Blue Diamond
Offers Members a Number of Ways
to be Involved and Affect Policy:
• Participation in district and annual meetings;
• Discussions with district directors and field
supervisors;
• Voting in elections; and
• Service on a Liaison Committee, the Advisory
Committee or Board of Directors.
You will have an opportunity to participate in several
of those activities between now and the end of the year.
While the summer round of district meetings is held
in July, you will have an opportunity to attend
Blue
Diamond
’s 107th Annual Member Meeting in Modesto
on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. Put the date on your
calendar and plan to attend!
Board of Directors
Being a director on the board of
Blue Diamond Growers
provides a unique opportunity for a grower-owner to be
a major contributor to the ongoing success of the leading
grower-owned cooperative and marketer of almond
products. The cooperative’s business continues to grow
and prosper due to product innovation, new international
markets, cutting-edge technology and a powerful brand
that is unmatched in the industry. There has never been a
more interesting time to consider running for a seat on the
Board of Directors.
As representatives of the cooperative’s grower-owners, the
board monitors the performance of the Chief Executive
Officer and collaborates with the CEO and
Blue Diamond
’s
Leadership Team on strategic direction with the mission
of maximizing the return for each grower that entrusts
their almonds to
Blue Diamond
. Serving as a director
is a significant responsibility, requiring the time and
commitment to carry-out the powers and duties of the
Board of Directors as defined in the corporation bylaws
and to prepare for, attend, and actively participate in
scheduled
Blue Diamond
meetings and events.
Annually, three board seats are subject to an election
either to re-elect the incumbent or choose a new director.
Each seat represents a specific district. The director
position from Districts 3, 5, and 7 are those that will
stand for election during the 2017 cycle. Incumbents from
Districts 3 and 5 will be running for re-election and the
incumbent from District 7 will not be running.
Those considering running for a director position should
understand there is a significant time commitment for
the three-year position. All-day board meetings occur
typically five times each year. Directors also participate
on various committees of the board which typically occur
the day before a board meeting. In addition, attendance
at Grower Liaison Committee (twice a year) and Advisory
Committee (once a year) meetings is common practice,
and the board and management have an annual three-day
strategic planning session. Invitations to represent
Blue
Diamond
at political fundraisers and other events/meetings
also commonly occur. Preparation time for board and
committee meetings and the travel time to meetings and
events needs to be considered.
Directors Should:
• Act in a manner consistent with their fiduciary
duties of loyalty and care.
• Demonstrate integrity and independent
judgment, including the ability to understand and
exercise sound judgment on issues related to the
corporation’s goals.
• Have business or professional skills and experience
that will contribute to the effectiveness of the board
and its committees.
• Intend to foster long-term value for the
corporation’s members.
• 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 and the soundness of controls, and to
CO-OP ELECTION SEASON KICKS OFF
