b'CSGA SPARKS DISCUSSION ON MEMBERSHIP CLASSES The Canadian Seed Growers Association is exploring expanded membership in an effort to build a what it calls a more inclusive certification system.Marc ZienkiewiczTHEY SAY YOU sometimes need to look to the past to move forward. For the Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA), this means exploring the reintroduction of affiliate and associate membership classes. The initiative aims to increase stakeholder agreement, fulfil its CSGA 2.0 business plan, and advance its Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) vision, the organization says. At the Manitoba Seed Growers Association (MSGA) SeedLink Conference held in Brandon, Man., last month, CSGA executive director Doug Miller spoke to attendees and emphasized the what he said is the central question guiding CSGAs vision for its current members: How do we build a more diverse and inclusive seed certification system? As outlined in CSGAs bylaws, a current regular member isKurt Printz is president ofEric McLean is a Manitoba seed considered any person, partnership, or organization producingSaskSeed, which is injecting newgrower and former president life into its annual meeting myof the Manitoba Seed Growers or undertaking to produce pedigreed seed and provides suchholding it downtown. It takes placeAssociation. rights as attending member-to-member sessions, submittingJan. 10.proposals and voting at CSGA meetings. It should be noted that many seed companies, including the major life science companies, are already considered CSGA members.Previously, CSGA had versions of affiliate and associate members. However, in 2013, a bylaw change was passed to have only a single membership class (Regular Member) based on new requirements under the Canadian Not-For-Profit Corporations Act. The discussion on CSGA memberships reflects an evolution toward a more open and inclusive system, according to Miller.Were proposing a conversation about reintroducing affili-ate and associate membership classes, Miller said. This initia-tive aligns with our CSGA 2.0 business plan released in April 2021 and our SRM vision, emphasizing building a more open and inclusive seed certification system.The first proposed class, affiliate membership, mirrors theDoug Miller is CSGA executiveA.J. Armstrong is the new regular CSGA membership but caters to those supportingdirector. president of the Manitoba Seed seed production. This includes seed growers and plant breed- Growers Association. ers who are inactive but wish to maintain CSGA membership,tion. This encompasses seed sector associations, national and seed analysts, crop inspectors and seed companies not activelyprovincial producer associations and international organizations. producing breeder or hybrid crops. Proposed rights for thisLike affiliate membership, rights include attending sessions and class include attending member sessions, submitting proposals,submitting proposals but without board representation.voting on relevant CSGA topics and the potential for boardMiller emphasized that at this time, CSGA is simply start-representation.ing a discussion with members to see if reintroducing the two The second proposed class, associate membership, targetsmembership classes makes sense. If feedback from members is associations involved in or interested in pedigreed seed produc- positive, CSGA will take the idea into a formal proposal stage. 8GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2024'