Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives

North Dakota Coordinating Council for Cooperatives Board Meeting
June 19, 2000

The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by President Craig Headland.  Attending were: John Long, Dennis Hill, Adolph Feyereisen, Robert Carlson, Charles McCay, Ed Breuer, David Crothers, Ed Moen, Patricia Keough Wilson, Gerald Kuster, Kathy Coyly, Jean Walton, Marilyn Kipp, Lynn Clancy, Mark Watne, and Ken Astrup.

It was moved by Feyereisen, seconded by McCay, to approve the minutes as distributed.  Motion carried.

The financial report was distributed, showing a balance of $10,626.41 and a note due from the Burdick Center for the Quentin Burdick biography in the amount of $7,500.  2000 dues have been received from: Farm Credit Services, Minn Dak Farmers Cooperative, North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, North Dakota Association of Rural Telephone Cooperatives, and North Dakota Credit Union League.  Associate dues have been received from Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives and CoBank.  It was moved by Carlson, seconded by Long, to approve the financial report.  Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Mark Watne reveiwed the history and curent status of the Quentin Burdick biography.  Mark has been in contact with author Dan Ryliance on a monthly basis.   All of the research and seventy-five percent of the book have been completed.   The Burdick Center has chapters 1-5, 7, 8, and 11.  There will be twelve chapters in the book.

It was the consensus of the board to stay with the current author.   Robert Carlson and Lynn Clancy will visit with Senator Conrad about the problem to see if the Senator will contact the author about the slowness of the project.

BURDICK CENTER FOR COOPERATIVES

Kathy Coyle distributed a written report that reviewed current and proposed projects.  She also brought along a number of publications for the group.   Center director Bill Nelson is currently in Japan on a co-op project.

STATE FAIR CO-OP DAY

Jean Walton reprted on the status of Co-op Day at the State Fair, July 26.  Nothing new is planned for this year.  Breakfast is being served from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., with the tent opening at 10:00 a.m.  Each organization is being asked to donate $100 for "Co-op Bucks" prizes at the tent.

COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Dennis Hill reported on projects the Center is currently involved with.   The Center has received a $200,000 RDOG (Rural Development Opportunity Grant).   The two-year grant is to be used to develop a "North Dakota" brand, to further the goals of the Commission on the Future of Agriculture, and to help with development of E-Commerce for business.  The Center has also applied for a $300,000 USDA grant to fund the Center.

MARKETPLACE AND MARKETPLACE FOR KIDS

Marilyn Kipp and Lynn Clancy distributed packets recapping both activities.  Marketplace for Kids will be expanded in 2001 to five locations: Fargo, Jamestown, Minot, Bismarck, and Williston.  In 2002, the plan is to add Dickinson and Devils Lake.  The state of Minnesota has recognized the Marketplace for Kids program and has included it in their graduation standards.  The learning guide will be update over this summer.  They would appreciate help from NDCCC members in the process.   The program will be showcased at the National 4-H conference in Bismarck this fall.   They would like to develop a junior and senior high program that could enhance Marketplace.  A video is being developed about Marketplace for Kids.  A grant for $270,000 has been submitted to USDA to fund both Marketplace and Marketplace for Kids.   The three-year grant does require matching funds.  DECA has adopted Marketplace for Kids programs to assist with the program.  Co-op Night at Marketplace was discussed.  Lynn shared a proposed mission statement.  Discussion followed on how to improve Co-op Night attendance and programs.  He asked everyone to visit with their respective boards to come up with ideas.  It was moved by Long, seconded by Moen, to continue sponsorship of the Co-op Night social at Marketplace.  Motion carried.

CO-OP MONTH PROPOSAL

Dennis Hill and Jean Walton distributed a proposal for consideration about promoting cooperatives during Co-op Month.  A 24-page pamphlet would be developed to explain the contributions and technological advances made by cooperatives in North Dakota.  The pamphlet would be inserted in the REC/RTC magazine, Fargo Forum and Valley City Times Record and 200 copies given to each NDCCC member for their use.   It would cost $12,082.38 for printing and distribution.  Discussion followed about the concept.  Concerns raised included: readership, audience reached, retention of publication, structure of the content and the cost/benefit.  Editorial visits could possibly get the same message delivered at less cost.  Dennis will get more information to the NDCCC board.  The issue will be discussed at the July meeting.   It was moved by Carlson, seconded by Hill, to have the Burdick Center for Cooperatives put together an analysis of the economic impact of cooperatives on the North Dakota economy.  Motion carried.

OTHER BUSINESS

The NDCCC has been contacted to assist in sponsoring a speaker at the North Dakota Winter Show.  It was the consensus of the group that this would not be consistent with the mission of the NDCCC.

The NDCCC has been asked about political candidates distributing campaign material in conjunction with the breakfast and in the tent at Co-op Dat at the State Fair.  It was the consensus of the group that if the candidate wanted to distribute literatire during the breakfast and there were no restrictions from the State Fair, a condidate could do it, but the board did not want them distributing literature in the co-op tent.

There will be a wind energy symposium at NDSU, June 23.

NDFU provided noon lunch at a cost of $100.

NEXT MEETING

There will be a quick meeting scheduled during Co-op Day at the State Fair, July 26.  Ken will notify board members of the time.