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History, Purpose and MissionThe Nebraska Cooperative Council, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, is a statewide, non-profit, non-partisan trade association representing agricultural cooperatives. It was formed in the fall of 1945 after a small group of cooperative leaders throughout Nebraska came together to discuss the idea of organizing a trade association for agricultural cooperatives. What evolved from a series of meetings of these individuals was the formation of the Nebraska Cooperative Council. As a full-service trade association, the Council has played a key role in furthering the growth of cooperative businesses in the state. Currently, over 90% of the agricultural cooperatives in Nebraska are members of the Council; and the membership base includes not only farm supply and marketing cooperatives but also rural electric and telephone cooperatives; financial services cooperatives; regional cooperatives; and those providing services such as insurance, livestock marketing, communications, consumer goods, and others. In addition, members include auditing firms and other organizations serving cooperatives. The agricultural cooperatives that are members of the Council account for nearly $9 billion of economic activity each year.
While its mission has undergone revisions since it was organized, the Council has remained steadfast to its basic thrust: to defend, protect, and enhance the agricultural cooperative movement through proactive programs in education, legislation, governmental affairs, communication, and regulatory issues. That doesn't mean that the major emphasis of its activities hasn't changed over the years. Yet the Council has maintained the vision of its founders for a trade association committed solely to agricultural cooperatives. A key advantage of membership in the Council is that cooperatives with varied business interests join together for unity of action to help maintain a strong presence in today's complex business economy. Mutually beneficial relationships strengthen cooperatives and, as a trade association, are an important ingredient in the Council's efforts. On many issues, the entire cooperative community working through the Council can have the greatest impact at both the state and federal levels. In other instances, the Council's member cooperatives with similar business interests can develop the most effective coalitions to positively influence legislation and subsequent regulations.
Grassroots GovernanceBoard of Directors: [as of 11/29/11]Jim Chism, Manager - Frenchman Valley Farmers Co-op, Imperial [Bd Chair] David Briggs, Manager - Westco, Alliance [Vice Chair] Bruce Favinger, Director - Cooperative Producers Inc, Hastings [Secretary] Jerrell Dolesh, Director - Battle Creek Farmers Co-op N/S, Battle Creek Ron Heerten, Director - Farmers/Ranchers Co-op Assn, Ainsworth John Oehlerking, Director - Midwest Farmers Co-op, Elmwood Randy Robeson, Manager - Frontier Cooperative Company, Brainard Dave Schneider, President/Mgr - Farmers Co-op Co, Waverly Mike Hechtner, Central Region President - CoBank, Omaha
Legislative Advisory Committee (LAC:) [as of 1/1/12]The LAC evaluates, formulates, and submits recommendations to the Council's Board of Directors concerning legislation which it deems appropriate. This committees consists of 9 voting members and is currently comprised of the following individuals:
Excellence in Cooperative Education Committee (ECEC): (as of 1/1/12)The ECEC researches, discusses and recommends educational activities it determines to be favorable to the enhancement of the entire farmer cooperative community. It also oversees the Fund For Excellence. This committee consists of 10 members and is currently composed of the following individuals:
NCC-Political Action Committee (NCC-PAC): [as of 1/1/12]This committee consists of 10 members, each serving a 2-year term, as follows:
Hall of Fame Committee (HOF): [as of 1/1/12]This committee consists of 5 members, each serving a 3-year term, as follows:
Staff:The office staff is composed of 4 full-time employees:
Last updated 1.9.12 |
FOR MORE INFORMATION:Nebraska Cooperative Council 134 South 13th St., Ste 503 Lincoln, NE 68508-1901 PH: 402/475-6555 FAX: 402/475-4538
Legislative and Regulatory Issues: Robert Andersen, President Education, Scholarship Program, Communications Issues: Ed Woeppel, Education & Program Director All other issues: General Office |
