44 GERMINATION.CA MARCH 2019 THE CANADIAN SEED Growers Association (CSGA) is looking at the possibility of dramatically changing its membership structure in order to prepare for the formation of a new seed entity as outlined by the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project proposal. “In a new organization you’re trying to bring together groups that all have a different basis for mem- bership. It’s not a business-as-usual proposal,” says CSGA executive direc- tor Glyn Chancey, who spoke about the idea at the Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association annual meeting in Saskatoon in January. “You’re going to be sharing your power — it will be distributed among a larger group. The proposal here is to adjust our membership model to a more business-oriented one.” The Seed Synergy white paper, unveiled to members late last year, proposes to create a more efficient and effective seed industry organizational model to deliver seed certification services under a “modernized seed regulatory framework” by creating and implementing a single, consolidated national seed organization. Currently, CSGA has over 3,500 official members. That number is composed of both individual seed It’s common knowledge that the Canadian Seed Growers Association has 3,500 members. But is that really the case? It might not be. Marc Zienkiewicz DOSEEDGROWERSNEEDA NEWMEMBERSHIPMODEL? Efficiency is a big reason for coming together into one organization. But how big do we get until we’re too big to remain efficient? We have to keep in mind that there are advantages and disadvantages to this process, and one is fees. Keep that in mind when you think about membership structure and what a new organization will look like. We need to engage our members so we can give clear direction to the national board in regard to the big picture and how we need to move forward. Over the past number of years there has been a much stronger bond with our national associations. I see that as a big advantage and benefit for our members and seed growers across the nation. Ron Markert Markert Seeds Vulcan, Alta. Shawn Fraser President, Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association Pambrun, Sask.