Canadian Seed Growers’ Association conducts review of organization structure with an eye to potential modernization
The Canadian Seed Growers’ Association is taking a look in the mirror.
The seed industry organization has come a long way since it was formed back in 1904, say CSGA officials. But there is room for improvement.
That’s why the CSGA has launched a new project called CSGA 2.0.
The goal of the project is to assess the organization’s current operations, identify strengths and weaknesses, and make improvements where necessary.
Ultimately, the project is aimed at enabling the CSGA to better serve its seed grower members, and to ensure that pedigreed seed growers continue to play a pivotal role in agriculture.
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“CSGA 2.0 is not about coming up with something new,” said Jonathan Nyborg, CSGA past-president, who currently serves as chair of the CSGA 2.0 project steering committee.
“It’s about looking at what we have … and looking to see if there are areas where we can make improvements….”
In a Jan. 13 presentation to pedigreed seed growers in Saskatchewan, CSGA officials outlined work that has already taken place under the CSGA 2.0 project, as well as steps that are likely to be taken in the coming months.
Nyborg said a number of CSGA 2.0 sub-committees have been formed to look at a wide range of issues including possible changes to the seed certification system, the use of new technologies in seed certification, CSGA’s advocacy function, a review of advocacy work at the national and provincial or branch levels, potential changes to CSGA bylaws and policies, and a review of the CSGA’s business plan, governance structure and service offerings.
The outcomes and recommendations of the CSGA 2.0 project are expected to be presented to the CSGA board for approval in the coming months and will also be presented to CSGA members for their approval.
In a recent interview, CSGA executive director Glyn Chancey said the CSGA 2.0 project is about identifying priorities and decidingwhat improvements the organization can make.
“It’s time to focus on being the best version of the CSGA that we can be,” Chancey said.
Last year, CSGA members rejected a proposal to amalgamate with four other seed industry organizations and form an all-encompassing seed industry group called Seeds Canada.
Soon after the Seeds Canada amalgamation proposal was rejected by its members, the CSGA launched a survey aimed at learning more about the factors behind the vote.
CSGA board members felt it was important to have a full understanding of why members voted the way they did, what aspects of the proposal they were most uncomfortable with, and what they see as top priorities for the organization going forward.
CSGA contracted Ontario-based Stratus Research to conduct the survey.
Chancey said the vote against amalgamation should be interpreted as a vote in favour of the CSGA.
“There were certainly a large number of members that voted who felt that this organization (the CSGA) has something that they didn’t want to see lost,” Chancey said.
“And they obviously didn’t feel that the amalgamation proposal that was put forward… provided enough in the way of assurances that what is special in the CSGA would be retained and carried forward.”
Meanwhile, work on the CSGA 2.0 project is underway, said Nyborg.
A CSGA 2.0 target operating model, along with a revamped CSGA business plan and fee schedule, is expected to be presented for member approval at the organization’s next annual general meeting this summer.
CSGA members were given an opportunity to take a position on amalgamation and they sent a clear message, said Chancey.
“We heard you.… And with CSGA 2.0, I think we’ve come up with a position that respects the wishes of our members.”
