Behind every reliable seed is an organization committed to transparency, responsible leadership, and long-term stability.
When the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) learned it had received the Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC) Award for Organizational Governance in November, it was a moment of immense pride for the entire organization — a recognition that reflects years of effort, discipline, and a deep commitment to doing things the right way.
Governance work is rarely glamorous. It doesn’t grab headlines, yet it is the backbone of any well-functioning organization — enhancing value, sustaining trust, enabling long-term success, and for CSGA, it’s been a crucial pillar in our broader organizational renewal.
Learning to Lead Governance the Right Way
Although I’ve spent many years immersed in governance, it wasn’t until Executive Director Doug Miller and I pursued the GPC accreditation that we gained a more rigorous understanding of governance best practices. The program reinforced that governance is far more than rules or processes — it is the discipline that anchors effective, accountable, and resilient organizations.
The accreditation underscored that strong governance enables an organization to operate ethically and in compliance with its legislative framework, including the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. It also reminded us that good governance is clarity: expectations are understood, responsibilities defined, and decisions made consistently and transparently. These lessons gave us the grounding to strengthen CSGA’s governance framework and position the organization for the future.
Modernizing the Framework
Our first focus was internal governance — aspects that no one usually sees. Working with our Governance Committee and board of directors, we modernized all major policies.
The second major component was renewing our bylaws.
As we reviewed how the board operates, it became clear that many responsibilities and structures were defined in the bylaws themselves. At the same time, Seed Regulatory Modernization was prompting sector-wide discussions about who participates in the seed system and how. If regulatory modernization required governance modernization, then updating our membership structure became essential.
Although I accepted the award on stage, this recognition belongs to many people. Our Governance Committee, board, senior leadership team, and provincial branches all played essential roles — reviewing proposals, providing guidance, and demonstrating openness to change. This award reflects their commitment to ensuring CSGA remains a strong and forward-looking organization. This work represents a strategic investment in the future of the seed sector, and I am immensely proud of the work we have done to get here.
Even with this progress, governance is never “finished.” It evolves as the organization evolves, and our commitment is to continue strengthening these foundations as we grow and adapt alongside the sector we serve.
