b'CSI / CSI-ICS.COM / GOVERNANCE WILL REFLECT ALL REGIONS OF CANADATHE NATIONAL SEED ORGANIZATION: PULLING BACK THE CURTAINAPRIL OF 2020 will mark five yearsamalgamation is the desire to create a more efficient since the executive committeesand effective organizational model. While I dont see of the five seed industry associa- the efficiencies in this model being realized in the form tionsCSGA, CSTA, CSAAC, CSIof cost savings, I do see increased efficiencies being and CPTA first met to discuss theevident if we consider the costs associated with missed potential to merge the organiza- opportunities. tions in common purpose. CropLifeConsider the cost of a less timely response to an Canada joined the discussions inemerging trade issue. Whats the cost of fragmented December 2015. service delivery? And whats the cost of the all the asso-In January 2016, despite theciations and their staff staff operating in silos? On the sur-anxiety that is inherent when con- face, the model for amalgamation might look to merely be Roy Van Wyk,sidering this scale of change, oura repackaging of the five seed associations, but it is much Canadian Seedorganizations arrived by chance atmore! Its a defragmentation of services and a pooling of Institute Executivean unexpected milestone. Goingvaluable resources!Director through the simple exercise of list- Here is what the new national seed association could ing and comparing each organiza- look like: tions issues we organically foundNational board of 11-15 people nominated and ourselves setting aside our differ- elected by members with members representing 7 ences and making a commitment toregions and the value chain focus on what we had in common. Primary committees include the Regulatory From that moment of clarity inCommittee, Policy Committee, and three Operating January 2016 the Seed SynergyCommittees: Audit and Finance; Governance HR and Collaboration initiative was born.Membership; and Programs and ServicesAnd so here we are today, almost Within the NSO, four core service categories: Public five years later, with around $1.2Affairs; Member Services and Communications; million invested equally by the fourRegulatory and Quality Assurance; and Intellectual funding partners (CSTA, CSGA, CSIProperty Enforcement and CropLife Canada), and a gener-Voluntary membership. One member, one vote.ous $500,000 in funding support fromThe NSO is designed to be governed by a diverse, AAFCs Agri-Risk program. We arestrategic board with a high level of member and stake-moving forward with our eyes fixedholder engagement in the committees. Governance will on July 2020 to ratify an amalgama- reflect all regions of Canada and all segments of the value tion decision. We are finally ready tochain. The organizations structure and single window pull back the curtain and reveal theconcept will make it easier for members and users of the model for governance and structuresystem to access services and staff expertise. that has taken shape. Its a model forIt will give seed industry stakeholders a common amalgamation with the exceptionalplatform to express their needs and concerns and gener-potential to unite the seed industry inate a united voice for the seed industry. And ultimately, it shared purpose. will be the vehicle to decide how to manage and assume At the very heart of theadditional delegated authorities. 36GERMINATION.CA JANUARY 2020'