INSIGHTS January/February 2017 NEWS AND VIEWS FROM CHS DIRECTORS THIS ISSUE 25 • Delegates approve amendments to articles and bylaws • New resolutions 26 • Mark Farrell joins CHS Board • CHS members elect directors • CHS Inc. earnings by segment 27 • Your cooperative wants you • CHS membership classes • Patronage returns 28 • Learning on many fronts • Giving time, talent and resources NEW (YEAR) RESOLUTIONS From International trade to food safety, CHS Inc. advocates on behalf of our member-owners on the many issues critical to our success. During the recent annual meeting, the resolutions committee reviewed CHS policy positions and accepted member feedback on any proposed changes. This year, the resolution committee put forward proposed resolutions on several issues of impact to CHS Inc. and its member-owners, including the Farm Bill, international trade, and food labeling standards. To read about this and other issues go to CHSinc. com/our-company/government-affairs. CHS ANNUAL MEETING DELEGATES APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES AND BYLAWS Delegates to the CHS Annual Meeting have approved amendments to the CHS Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The amendments created a new membership class structure and criteria (see page 3). “We appreciate our owners’ commitment to the governance of the company they own, as evidenced by their strong interest in the proposed changes to the core CHS governing documents,” says CHS Board Chairman David Bielenberg. “Having a voice in the governance of the company you own and do business with is an essential point of difference of the cooperative business model.” The two resolutions – one amending the company’s articles and the other amending the CHS bylaws – each received a “yes” vote of more than 86 percent. When the CHS Board reconvenes in 2017, it will work to develop procedures regarding implementation and for members to periodically certify their ongoing eligibility for their membership class. “We are committed to keeping members fully informed,” Bielenberg says. Steve Fritel, chairman of the CHS Board’s Governance Committee, says the board took its commitment to communication seriously by listening to owners, keeping the proposed changes simple and ensuring there was time for learning and conversation. “Our goal is always to ensure that CHS remains an agricultural-focused and producer-governed cooperative,” Fritel says. “At the same time, we also recognize we must accommodate our current members as they change to stay relevant to their customers. Our articles and bylaws need to line up with the ways our members do business today, while recognizing the strong heritage of the member cooperatives who built today’s CHS.” (Above) Lynden Johnson, executive vice president, CHS Country Operations (left) speaks with Carl Casale, president and CEO, CHS, during the recent CHS annual meeting. At left, members of the Annual Meeting Credentials Committee prepare to receive ballots backstage during the CHS annual meeting. Your CHS Connection 25
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