Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
At the end of last week, Roy, Melise and myself were at the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union annual conference. RMFU is an organization that has many facets. They work to support farming and ranching families with educational programs, assistance for cooperatives, and political advocacy.
Two years ago, I had never heard of RMFU. Roy was just getting started with his wind turbine business, Chinook Energy. He developed an acquaintance with the Renewable Energy Development Director at RMFU. A few months later, that director nominated Roy and myself to their Fellowship program that honors up-and-coming community leaders. It was explained to Roy that it would involve a few educational meetings. Then Roy received a packet in the mail with all the details of the program. It turned out that the Fellowship program is quite an honor within the RMFU family. Only about a dozen people are chosen throughout the Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico territory each year to participate. There were three educational meetings throughout the year: one in Denver to acquaint us with the history, organization, and philosophies of RMFU; one in Cheyenne, WY to attend last year's RMFU annual meeting; and one in Washington D.C. to learn about the political advocacy part first hand. Well, how could we refuse an offer like that? We had a blast as Fellows and really came to love all the people that make up RMFU.
We quickly became a serious part of the group. At the 2008 convention Roy volunteered to be a regional delegate. Then he got himself elected as a national delegate to the National Farmers Union 2009 Annual Convention in Washington DC. After that, he was elected President of the Phillips/Sedgwick Counties chapter (he said he wasn't paying attention when they voted him in - likely story!). This year we both attended the regional meeting as delegates.
Let me show you a few highlights of this year's convention!
This is the Executive Director, Lee Swenson, leading bingo at the "carnival" fundraiser the first night. Lee is a great example of the type of people that make up RMFU. Once upon a time he was the National Farmers Union President, but there's no high-and-mighty attitude from him! At the carnival, he was the life of the party, encouraging adults and children alike to play and have fun. You should hear him sing B-I-N-G-O! My dear Roy is in the picture as well (blue shirt) - he won $4 at bingo! That paid for an ice cream cone a few days later.
Here's a couple goofy members! I won a game of ring toss with Melise on my hip. The woman in charge called out to the fellow in the blue vest that if I can win it with a baby on my hip then he should be able to win it without! That's when he got the idea to hold Roy on his hip while he played!
They tried to teach Melise how to throw a football. All she would do was hold it or hand it off to me. Below is Melise holding onto the football and beside that are a couple of the big kids racing stick horses. This is a very family-friendly organization.
Above is the policy committee. One of the most important jobs we had as delegates was to go over the RMFU Colorado policy and the national policy. We spent almost a full day doing that, which sounds terribly tedious, but I was surprised at how interesting the process was. Even though we were sitting in a large conference room full of people from all over the state, after a few hours it felt like an intimate affair. All delegates are welcome to make motions to change or add to the policies (RMFU believes in a grassroots structure). As people got up to talk, you got to know their faces and what they are really passionate about. It is very eye opening.
I kept Melise with me throughout the conference, even during policy discussions. She's a very quiet toddler, but she moves a lot. So I held onto my policy pamphlet while I trekked behind Melise throughout the conference room. I already knew that this was a family-friendly organization, but I was impressed how accepting of Melise's presence everyone was. She made a lot of friends last week!
This is Benjamin Waters. His official title is Government Relations/Colorado and Assistant Director of Organizational Development. To all of us delegates he was the policy guru. If there was ever a question about policy or law or proper procedure he'd jump up and answer it.
These lovely ladies were delegates from the new Colorado State University chapter. They were well-spoken and not afraid to speak their opinion on a controversial subject. They also made friends with my daughter and made her giggle profusely. I hope they continue to be a part of the RMFU family. The one on the left, Janna, was elected to be a national delegate.
To lure us back into the conference room after each break there were door prize drawings and singing. The singing wasn't purely entertainment, it was also meant to wake us up. Almost every song required the group to stand up and dance - Melise didn't mind!
At every RMFU convention, you'll see these ladies doing all the real work.
The day after our long day of policy, we had several interesting speakers. Above is the NFU President Roger Johnson at the podium and RMFU President Kent Peppler listening intently.
There was a banquet the second night with Karl Mecklenburg as the guest speaker. I heard he was a fantastic speaker and very funny. I wouldn't know because Melise decided she was done for the day and I had to bail in the middle of the banquet (that's the second year in a row that happened). On the way home from the convention, Roy replayed most of the speech to me and laughed so hard he almost cried.
These are the current Fellows. They're a great bunch of people and I hope they really dive in like we did!
Well that's it for my pictures. I told Roy on the way home that I barely got any pictures of him. I said, "I should have at least got a picture of you giving your speech when you were running for national delegate."
Roy responded, "Or when I proposed new policy, or when I asked the NFU President a question, or when I was talking to Representative Betsy Markey, or . . . ."
Yeah, yeah, I get it, I missed all the cool moments. I bet I know where I was all those times, too - chasing Melise!
Melise in an "RMFU Homegrown Energy" hat.
Two years ago, Roy and I didn't envision ourselves being part of a group like this. We just felt embraced as family by RMFU and empowered to make a difference for our community and country. It's a little addictive! If any of you out there ever feel like your voice is not heard, I encourage you to seek out a group like this. Make sure it is a group that you identify with, of course, which may not be RMFU . . . but if it is then we'd love to have you!
Two years ago, I had never heard of RMFU. Roy was just getting started with his wind turbine business, Chinook Energy. He developed an acquaintance with the Renewable Energy Development Director at RMFU. A few months later, that director nominated Roy and myself to their Fellowship program that honors up-and-coming community leaders. It was explained to Roy that it would involve a few educational meetings. Then Roy received a packet in the mail with all the details of the program. It turned out that the Fellowship program is quite an honor within the RMFU family. Only about a dozen people are chosen throughout the Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico territory each year to participate. There were three educational meetings throughout the year: one in Denver to acquaint us with the history, organization, and philosophies of RMFU; one in Cheyenne, WY to attend last year's RMFU annual meeting; and one in Washington D.C. to learn about the political advocacy part first hand. Well, how could we refuse an offer like that? We had a blast as Fellows and really came to love all the people that make up RMFU.
We quickly became a serious part of the group. At the 2008 convention Roy volunteered to be a regional delegate. Then he got himself elected as a national delegate to the National Farmers Union 2009 Annual Convention in Washington DC. After that, he was elected President of the Phillips/Sedgwick Counties chapter (he said he wasn't paying attention when they voted him in - likely story!). This year we both attended the regional meeting as delegates.
Let me show you a few highlights of this year's convention!
This is the Executive Director, Lee Swenson, leading bingo at the "carnival" fundraiser the first night. Lee is a great example of the type of people that make up RMFU. Once upon a time he was the National Farmers Union President, but there's no high-and-mighty attitude from him! At the carnival, he was the life of the party, encouraging adults and children alike to play and have fun. You should hear him sing B-I-N-G-O! My dear Roy is in the picture as well (blue shirt) - he won $4 at bingo! That paid for an ice cream cone a few days later.
Here's a couple goofy members! I won a game of ring toss with Melise on my hip. The woman in charge called out to the fellow in the blue vest that if I can win it with a baby on my hip then he should be able to win it without! That's when he got the idea to hold Roy on his hip while he played!
They tried to teach Melise how to throw a football. All she would do was hold it or hand it off to me. Below is Melise holding onto the football and beside that are a couple of the big kids racing stick horses. This is a very family-friendly organization.
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Above is the policy committee. One of the most important jobs we had as delegates was to go over the RMFU Colorado policy and the national policy. We spent almost a full day doing that, which sounds terribly tedious, but I was surprised at how interesting the process was. Even though we were sitting in a large conference room full of people from all over the state, after a few hours it felt like an intimate affair. All delegates are welcome to make motions to change or add to the policies (RMFU believes in a grassroots structure). As people got up to talk, you got to know their faces and what they are really passionate about. It is very eye opening.
I kept Melise with me throughout the conference, even during policy discussions. She's a very quiet toddler, but she moves a lot. So I held onto my policy pamphlet while I trekked behind Melise throughout the conference room. I already knew that this was a family-friendly organization, but I was impressed how accepting of Melise's presence everyone was. She made a lot of friends last week!
This is Benjamin Waters. His official title is Government Relations/Colorado and Assistant Director of Organizational Development. To all of us delegates he was the policy guru. If there was ever a question about policy or law or proper procedure he'd jump up and answer it.
These lovely ladies were delegates from the new Colorado State University chapter. They were well-spoken and not afraid to speak their opinion on a controversial subject. They also made friends with my daughter and made her giggle profusely. I hope they continue to be a part of the RMFU family. The one on the left, Janna, was elected to be a national delegate.
To lure us back into the conference room after each break there were door prize drawings and singing. The singing wasn't purely entertainment, it was also meant to wake us up. Almost every song required the group to stand up and dance - Melise didn't mind!
At every RMFU convention, you'll see these ladies doing all the real work.
There was a banquet the second night with Karl Mecklenburg as the guest speaker. I heard he was a fantastic speaker and very funny. I wouldn't know because Melise decided she was done for the day and I had to bail in the middle of the banquet (that's the second year in a row that happened). On the way home from the convention, Roy replayed most of the speech to me and laughed so hard he almost cried.
These are the current Fellows. They're a great bunch of people and I hope they really dive in like we did!
Well that's it for my pictures. I told Roy on the way home that I barely got any pictures of him. I said, "I should have at least got a picture of you giving your speech when you were running for national delegate."
Roy responded, "Or when I proposed new policy, or when I asked the NFU President a question, or when I was talking to Representative Betsy Markey, or . . . ."
Yeah, yeah, I get it, I missed all the cool moments. I bet I know where I was all those times, too - chasing Melise!
Two years ago, Roy and I didn't envision ourselves being part of a group like this. We just felt embraced as family by RMFU and empowered to make a difference for our community and country. It's a little addictive! If any of you out there ever feel like your voice is not heard, I encourage you to seek out a group like this. Make sure it is a group that you identify with, of course, which may not be RMFU . . . but if it is then we'd love to have you!
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