This is a melancholy presidents report. Callie is moving on to a wonderful opportunity. Through my many years with Kansas Farmers Union I have had the great privilege of working with 3 truly talented and capable office managers, Marylyn, Debbie, and Callie. Each time one moved on we wondered how in the world we could keep the wheels from falling off of the organization and each time the successor has so efficiently picked up the flag and carried it forward melding the office functions into their own version of efficiency. I, and speaking for Kansas Farmers Union, are so appreciative of their great work over the years. I have been able to serve as president while also maintaining my farm operation in Pottawatomie County knowing the office was being handled with professionalism and trust. Trust especially, I’ve always felt completely confident of their integrity, professionalism, and efficiency handling us gruff curmudgeon farmer members. Callie did her term extremely well. But with Callie, it’s even more. We were with her through the birth of her 3 great kids and I’ve always felt like at the same time our 5 grandkids were being born and raised I was blessed with another set in McPherson. I will miss that presence in the office.
Now the flag has been handed off to Kami VanCampen. I feel good about this hire and have the upmost confidence that Kami will take over and move us into another era of office management. Good luck Callie, you have been offered a wonderful opportunity, and welcome Kami to our family, warts and all…
At the National Farmers Union convention in Minneapolis I was re-elected to the position of National Farmers Union Vice President. I had very capable competition in Tammy Basil from South Dakota. I am honored and humbled that the voting delegation chose to re-elect me to the position. I will do my upmost to serve NFU with integrity and passion and honesty. We were offered the opportunity during convention to display something on the entrance to the convention meeting room. I chose to display my granddaughter Marie smelling her great-grandmothers Marie’s flowers with the message that this, the future generations, are why we in Farmers Union sacrifice what we do to move the organization forward, honoring our heritage and striving for a better world for our rural future generations…
Find all the articles from the Spring 2016 edition of the Kansas Kontact here.
