OCM is Rededicated to its Founding Mission and Principles

 

OCM is Rededicated to its Founding Mission and Principles

At its founding meeting in Kansas City some 20 plus years ago, OCM laid out its mission and principles and resolved not to be diverted by mission creep or outside influences. Over the years, folks of diverse political and philosophical persuasion came together in a common effort to make agricultural markets open, transparent, fair, and competitive. They agreed to pursue this mission with vigor and in various ways; but always by honest and ethical means. This was the glue that bound the effort together in relative harmony and concert for two decades.

In the past couple of years, OCM fell victim to the same malady that had afflicted the country at large; it became a House Divided. Social activism, political correctness, and diversity became a part of the agenda. Fixing the broken marketplace was no longer the exclusive focus. Social and political ideology divided OCM into two (less than harmonious) camps.

In retrospect, it seems that a strategically planned effort materialized to take over this small and meagerly funded organization with its worthy mission and honorable reputation. It began by packing the board, followed by a bylaw change that resulted in a truncated removal of the President from the board and membership by board action alone rather than by the membership. The same tactic was attempted to remove me as a remaining impediment to the coup. The scheme narrowly failed.

With this as background, the membership overwhelmingly voted (84%) last August for directors who were seen to be keepers of OCM’s tradition of sticking to the mission and keeping outside agendas out.

Two directors apparently saw the handwriting on the wall and declined to seek reelection. The other five were either defeated in the election or resigned. But, on their way out the door, while still having a majority, they acted summarily (and likely illegally) to return the major portion of OCM’s funds to the funding agencies. Several then made written, widely distributed emailed statements, renouncing their membership and predicted OCM’s demise. Happily, these dire predictions did not come to pass.

OCM is now stronger than ever! It has a diverse board that is balanced with regard to race, gender, and geography. More importantly, each individual director has the particular background, skills, and insight to effectively contribute to the organization’s effort. (Visit the OCM website to view photos and bios of directors and staff.)

Our reliable and trustworthy secretary is still with us and we now have an Executive Director that is especially well qualified and interacts well with the board. We also have a highly competent legal support team that is enthusiastically supportive. The entire current OCM team is “one-piece” and pulling in the same direction.

A board meeting in DC is planned for the end of June to push a number of issues, including COOL, Checkoff Reform, increasing independent meat processors, and several others.

We are discussing a face-to-face general membership meeting in Rapid City, SD in August.

While I am getting a bit long-of-tooth, perhaps with diminishing abilities, a little fire in the belly remains and I plan to stay involved.

There is lots of work yet to be done if we are to make the game fair so that independent family agriculture and a livable rural America can endure. Please join us as we work toward that end.

https://competitivemarkets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/webOCMJan-Mar2021.pdf