DENVER (September 21, 1999) - Beef industry leaders, representing various state beef councils and cattlemen's associations from across the country, met in St. Louis, MO, September 15-17 for the eleventh annual Cattlemen's Leadership Institute (CLI). Sponsored by Purina Mills Inc., Roche Animal Nutrition and Health, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, attendees participated in numerous workshops and speaker sessions designed to develop and enhance their industry leadership skills.
"Our producer leaders really benefit from educational seminars like the Cattlemen's Leadership Institute," explained NCBA vice president Lynn Cornwell, host of the 1999 CLI and a cow-calf producer from Glasgow, Mont. "The CLI sessions help teach upcoming beef industry leaders budgetary, strategic leadership, and other management skills - all necessary to keep our organizations and industry viable and effective for beef producers."
CLI delegates learned how to lead with a purpose, the importance of partnerships, and what tools and skills are needed to help keep today's organizations and members motivated and inspired. Then, to help instruct participants how to plan, lead, and get necessary results from meetings, a session was dedicated to how to run effective meetings, including parliamentary procedures and Robert's Rules of Order.
Negotiation skills aimed at creating win-win solutions between groups on opposite sides of issues was covered in one session, while strategic planning was discussed in another CLI workshop. Here, delegates learned how volunteer leaders can most effectively grasp an issue, clarify desired results, position the organization favorably, and carry out plans of action.
Delegates also participated in a tour of the Purina Mills Research Center in St. Louis.
Scott Bedke, vice president of the Idaho Cattlemen's Association commented, "This conference was extremely informative. Having the opportunity to brush-up on my meeting management skills, such as parliamentary procedures, will come in handy in my work at the state level." Bedke adds, "The most valuable session was the one where we learned how volunteer officers and staff can better work together to meet our members' needs and priorities."
-- NCBA --