by Rex Wilson
New Mexico Cattle Grower’s Association President’s Message
Dear Fellow Cattlemen,
Now that this year’s annual Convention has come and gone, let me express my appreciation to all whose participation contributed to its success. We had a great line up of speakers, active participation in committees and some fun as well. I always enjoy the trade show and silent auction, too.
In an age that is all about iPads, Smartphones, Facebook, email, texting and conference calls we have become technically efficient as we go about our business. The convention reassures us of the importance of coming together. We need iContact (looking each other in the eye). We are truly blessed by the bonds of friendship that comes from working together just like neighboring for cow work. I am blessed that my best friends gather at least once a year.
Maybe it is the holiday season or the Convention itself that makes me feel nostalgic about the importance of the work of our Association. The efforts of great leaders have contributed to our strength and effectiveness through the almost 100 years. I am humbled to do my small part. It takes us all doing what we can.
My strong belief is that in order to attract membership, we have to prove ourselves worthy of their commitment. Our members and staff are working literally every day to that. The breadth of the issues the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association addresses on behalf of private property rights owners and ranchers everywhere. It is your dues dollars that allow that work to continue.
Early in the year I set a goal of getting at least 400 new members by the 2013 Joint Stockmen’s Convention. To reach that goal the Association has embarked into several membership raising efforts. The Regional Vice Presidents have been collecting listings of agricultural property owners. Those folks who are not current NMCGA members are receiving a personal invitation to join the Association. In concert with that we ran two months of radio advertising in the southern and eastern part of the state. Additionally, the NMCGA Facebook page has become the billboard for news and views for nearly 6,500 ranchers and their supports across the world – at least that’s what they tell me. I have not ventured into Facebook. If you are looking at your local newspapers, hopefully you are seeing the press releases that the Association is sending out on an almost weekly basis.
Clearly we are reaching people based on the number of new and reinstated members we have gotten this year. A bonus is that the number of members who have dropped their membership are the lowest we have seen in many years. Given that we are in the midst of a drought and cow numbers are falling, I’d say we are doing something right.
I am excited about the growth of our new membership and improvement in retaining members.
May we continue to be worthy. Please join NMCGA, and then join us as we head into the 2013 Legislature. You don’t have to be able to be in Santa Fe – although that is the best – we have several ways members can support agriculture. Just let us know you want to help!