b'different than it did prior to March, before North America was rocked by COVID-19.While it gained five new members over the past year, the CSTA also saw a handful of members choose not to renew their membership, Interim Executive Director Tyler McCann said.Those that left the family did so for a variety of rea-sons, which have been reviewed by staff and the CSTA executive, he said. As a result, there was a decline in total membership numbers in 2020, down seven from 2019 to 123 members. This is in line with the average over CSTAs recent history.He went on to note that under the Seeds Canada model (which recognizes both members and non-member clients, the latter of whom can access Seeds Canada services without being actual members), membership will be completely voluntary and will ensure stakeholders feelTyler McCann is interim executive director for the CSTA.they are getting true value for their membership fees.McCann came on as interim executive director earlierservices that the five amalgamating partners currently this year after the departure of Dave Carey. Coming intodeliver. I firmly believe that Seeds Canada will be able to the position, McCann said his three main priorities were tobetter leverage its resources and larger team to go further keep the lights on, see the Seed Synergy process throughin delivering services more effectively to CSTA members.to its conclusion, and help steer the CSTA through the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit North America soon afterEngagement is Keyhe assumed the executive director role. The virtual AGM came after numerous CSTA committee CSTA and its members are better off within Seedsmeetings held over the course of the summer.Canada with its four other partners, he went on to say.During the Seeds Canada discussion portion of the Throughout the entire process of developing the amalga- meeting, members discussed the new Seeds Canada mation package, there has been a rock-solid commitmentcommittee structure and how it will ensure the important AWB_Germination-Sept2020.pdf 1 2020-08-10 5:21:38 PMthat the new organization would continue to deliver thework of the seed trade gets done within a larger organiza-tion with more functionsspecifically in regard to the CSTAs International Committee. Newly-appointed CSTA president Ellen Sparry said it will be crucial to have that discussion as Seeds Canada gets started for all the committees that currently are part of CSTAs structure.CSTA communications and member services manager Liz Lumsden notes that under the Seeds Canada policy/advisory committee there will be space for all committees to continue.C We cant lose sight of that, obviously. Everyone needs M to be in the same room having the discussion on why Y that international work is important, Sparry said. The International Seed Federation is keen to continue their CM work with Canada at the table.MY Another concern to come up was the organizational CY model of Seeds Canada, which some members said takes CMY the emphasis off the seed trade in favour of a more grower-focused regional model of representation.K Peter Entz, assistant vice-president of seed and traits for Richardson, said with more people at the table it will be imperative that Seeds Canada members involve themselves and ensure they bring their priorities forwardsomething that can only benefit the industry going forward.We all have a responsibility to become engaged and stay engaged with areas important to you and your organization. Engagement is key and understanding this is the starting point, Entz said. 14GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2020'