1.
The WCA represents primarily its voting members – anyone who
owns cattle can become a voting member. The Board of Directors is
comprised mostly of commercial and purebred cow/calf operators. The
political and public relations efforts of the WCA benefit anyone who
supports property rights, state sovereignty, common-sense natural
resource management, Western Water Law, and constitutional protection.
TOP
2.
No. The WCA is a standard affiliate of the NCBA – the Association
pays annual dues of $4000 and receives national board and committee
seats proportional to Washington’s NCBA membership, but WCA
membership does not include a NCBA membership. TOP
3.
Yes. Washington is considered a cattle-deficient state – we
have over 6 million residents but only about 1.2 million cattle, including
dairy. Therefore, we receive disproportionately more money than a
state like Nebraska. The system attempts to channel resources toward
the areas of greatest need and effect. TOP
4.
Yes. The WCA voted at its annual meeting on November, 2002 to become
an affiliate of R-CALF USA. However, guiding policy of the WCA is
established by its membership through a committee process and may
or may not be in 100% agreement with either R-CALF or NCBA. TOP
5.
There are several ways for a non-officer to influence policy decisions
of the WCA. Most directly, voting members have an opportunity every
year to vote on the recommendations of the standing committees at
the annual membership meeting. Members are welcome to participate
in any discussion within committees at the convention – this
is where concepts are agreed upon, foundational arguments fleshed
out, and actual policy text drafted. In addition, any member is welcome
to participate in the Executive Committee meetings, where the core
officers oversee and direct the day-to-day functions of the state
office, especially implementation of WCA policy. TOP
