Normally among the first events on the Farm Bureau calendar, this year’s Council of Presidents’ Conference got kicked down the calendar to late August, but even the awkward time slot didn’t ding the value our grassroots leaders found in Grand Rapids Aug. 25-26.
Each day packed a potent dose of practical guidance into a compact agenda featuring state-level leadership, key staff and several guests from outside the organization sharing valuable insight with county Farm Burau leaders.
Following welcoming remarks from MFB President Carl Bednarski, attending presidents heard updates on policy and membership from staffers Rob Anderson and Laura Lunceford, respectively, before focusing on a panel of select county presidents sharing how their local organizations innovated their way through the COVID pandemic.
Guest presenters that first day from Lambert Public Relations and Varnum Attorneys at Law walked attendees through fundamental media-relations skills and a practical guidelines for avoiding workplace harassment situations. Afternoon breakout sessions also included MFB County Services Manager Michelle Maloney discussing the financial and liability considers vital to running a county Farm Bureau in the black.
Day Two began with a panel of the state-level leaders discussing the new state-county relationship agreement and an opportunity for attendees, grouped by district, to share updates on how the agreement is helping their individual counties.
A pair of stellar keynote speakers but a bow on each day’s proceedings. Steve Gilliland’s “Making a Difference” presentation highlighted the Day One banquet and Marleen Eick put a bow on the event with her thoughts on intentional leadership.
Those in attendance also enjoyed the simple opportunity just to see each other again and reconnect in person after more than a year of COVID-induced isolation.