Province’s wheat and barley groups merged to form Alberta Grains; executive director in place, zone meetings planned
The fully merged Alberta Wheat-Alberta Barley producer organization rebranded as Alberta Grains is up and running with its new executive director taking the helm this month.
Mike Flynn assumed the role Nov. 1 in the lead up to zone elections in January for board directors that will complete the executive team of the newly amalgamated organization.
The merger has been a decade in the making with Alberta Wheat and Alberta Barley first taking steps to share resources and then launching a plebiscite in 2022, which passed with massive support, although with single digit eligible voter turnout.
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Flynn said he’s coming into the organization with experience acting as the executive director of the Calgary Police Commission and Urban Development Institute.
“Through my hard-fought experience, I’ve learned that if you can listen to the members, find a way so they can get the message through to you properly and unfiltered, they are going to tell you what needs to happen,” he said. “If you have the right resources in place, then nothing should prevent that from happening. That’s what I’m looking forward to cultivating in Alberta Grains, making sure the membership knows that we are always listening and always seeking their opinions.”
Alberta Grains is the first agricultural producer organization Flynn has led.
He said he plans to dive headfirst into the learning stream during meetings and other upcoming events with farmers.
“I’ll be going to all of those and really just listening is what I’ll be doing for the next three months and getting up to speed on all of the issues,” Flynn said.
He arrives following the abrupt departure of a trio of senior staff this spring when the long-time general manager, chief operating officer and a program manager left the Alberta Wheat Commission.
Flynn said he hasn’t been fully briefed on that situation. There are obligations to protect information concerning personnel issues and there are potential legal proceedings.
What he can say is the amalgamation process was conducted in a fair and transparent manner and there has been a focus on governance and internal processes.
“In my view, the merged entity is something that has been enhanced greatly through the process in terms (of) how it will operate internally going forward,” he said.
Flynn stressed he will reach out to producers to solidify the organization’s commitment to its members.
“I’m a big believer in listening to the members and they will tell you what you need to know. That might seem simple on paper but that really is how these types of associations, especially membership-driven associations, work,” he said. “I want to find ways to enhance that and make sure that the membership becomes comfortable in collaborating with us in that way. It improves the transparency and I think the members’ experience is a lot more rewarding knowing they are able to get their thoughts, opinions and concerns front and centre.”
Regional meetings are expected to take place during the second half of November. The dates include Lethbridge Nov. 15, Strathmore Nov. 17, Red Deer Nov. 21, St. Paul Nov. 22, Morinville Nov. 24 and Grande Prairie Nov. 27.
Nominations are closed for the 12 board positions, two in each of the six zones, with the election of the board scheduled to take place at the annual general meeting at the CrossRoads Crop Conference on Jan. 31 in Calgary.
