A letter sent to shareholders, dated Monday 11 September, said a special general meeting will be held on Wednesday 27 September at 8pm in the Hotel Kilmore, Co Cavan, to vote on four rule changes.
The letter said “following discussions and suggestions made by members at our most recent AGM” that a number of rule changes should be made “for the long-term benefit” of the co-op.
Subsequent discussions with the co-op’s regional committees as well as ICOS proposed that a number of rule changes should be made aimed at strengthening “the governance of your society”.
The first, and most significant, is the changing “the number of successive four-year periods of office that a board member serve” from eight to 12 years. The Dealer understands the maximum term for the chair will stay at eight years. The second is that no board member may serve more than the three successive four-year periods. The third, which seems like a very positive step, wants the regional committee to “co-opt up to three young farmer members” to serve on the regional committees.The fourth and final one is an admin one relating to the updating of the co-op rules.Go again
Those with a long memory will remember that this rule change was shot down at an annual general meeting a couple of years ago.
It’s the Lisbon Treaty of Lakeland Dairies.
The cynics among us would suggest that Lakeland is being strategic in trying to push through the rule change now.
The timing is good.
Milk price is up, the new dryer is operational and there’s a positive buzz around the co-op.
Saying that, the proposed rule change to get younger farmers on to the committees is and must be welcomed.
The key here would be to get a good cohort of them. if not all. trained up in co-op governance, etc, when they are in regional committee stage.
Milk price is up, the new dryer is operational and there’s a positive buzz around the co-op.
That way if they get on the board they hit the ground running.
Trying to recognise potential board members in regional committees is a another skill – even The Dealer probably hasn’t mastered that.
Pay
The one issue that surprised The Dealer was the issue of pay and remuneration.
Lakeland is a bit of an anomaly in that it doesn't give a salary to its board members; rather, they claim expense. You can read more on that here.
Lakeland is a big beast now.
It has over 2,500 suppliers north and south of the border producing some 1.2bn litres. Other, smaller co-ops are paying their board members.
Perhaps Lakeland should look at this. The directors are responsible for keeping the lights in a huge, global company. Does it make sense to only get your diesel money?
Read more
Listen: €80m milk dryer investments in a week
Dairy investments must deliver profit for farmers
A letter sent to shareholders, dated Monday 11 September, said a special general meeting will be held on Wednesday 27 September at 8pm in the Hotel Kilmore, Co Cavan, to vote on four rule changes.
The letter said “following discussions and suggestions made by members at our most recent AGM” that a number of rule changes should be made “for the long-term benefit” of the co-op.
Subsequent discussions with the co-op’s regional committees as well as ICOS proposed that a number of rule changes should be made aimed at strengthening “the governance of your society”.
The first, and most significant, is the changing “the number of successive four-year periods of office that a board member serve” from eight to 12 years. The Dealer understands the maximum term for the chair will stay at eight years. The second is that no board member may serve more than the three successive four-year periods. The third, which seems like a very positive step, wants the regional committee to “co-opt up to three young farmer members” to serve on the regional committees.The fourth and final one is an admin one relating to the updating of the co-op rules.Go again
Those with a long memory will remember that this rule change was shot down at an annual general meeting a couple of years ago.
It’s the Lisbon Treaty of Lakeland Dairies.
The cynics among us would suggest that Lakeland is being strategic in trying to push through the rule change now.
The timing is good.
Milk price is up, the new dryer is operational and there’s a positive buzz around the co-op.
Saying that, the proposed rule change to get younger farmers on to the committees is and must be welcomed.
The key here would be to get a good cohort of them. if not all. trained up in co-op governance, etc, when they are in regional committee stage.
Milk price is up, the new dryer is operational and there’s a positive buzz around the co-op.
That way if they get on the board they hit the ground running.
Trying to recognise potential board members in regional committees is a another skill – even The Dealer probably hasn’t mastered that.
Pay
The one issue that surprised The Dealer was the issue of pay and remuneration.
Lakeland is a bit of an anomaly in that it doesn't give a salary to its board members; rather, they claim expense. You can read more on that here.
Lakeland is a big beast now.
It has over 2,500 suppliers north and south of the border producing some 1.2bn litres. Other, smaller co-ops are paying their board members.
Perhaps Lakeland should look at this. The directors are responsible for keeping the lights in a huge, global company. Does it make sense to only get your diesel money?
Read more
Listen: €80m milk dryer investments in a week
Dairy investments must deliver profit for farmers
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