104th Annual State Delegate Meeting

The 104th Annual State Delegate Meeting of the Michigan Milk Producers Association was held March 12 at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan.

ANNUAL MEETING NEWS

MMPA conducts cooperative business, continues to supply grocery stores and food banks with milk and cheese

March 27, 2020

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 11, 2020:

Over the past several weeks, MMPA has been closely monitoring the outbreak of coronavirus, or COVID-19. Considering the updated status of the coronavirus disease and the Governor’s announcement of the Michigan cases, we have made the difficult decision to limit the meeting to only MMPA members and employees. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution and with careful consideration of the health and safety of our members and employees.

The meeting will still take place to conduct official business in accordance with MMPA bylaws. MMPA members and employees are invited and encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting tomorrow, but individuals are advised to use their best judgement. Sanitizing and disinfecting products will be made available for all attendees. If you are feeling sick and you’re having flu like symptoms, cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and please stay home so you don’t spread the illness to anyone else. Delegates who are unable to attend should contact their Local Secretary to find an available alternate delegate.

MMPA members and employees are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and recommendations. The CDC recommends:

  • Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Refrain from touching your eyes, face, nose and mouth
  • Limit or avoid physical contact, such as handshakes
  • Check local travel advisories and ensure planned travel is in accordance with local recommendations

Event Location

Lansing Center
333 E. Michigan Ave
Lansing, MI 48933

If you park at the Lansing Center or North Grand ramp, please be sure to bring in your entry ticket. You will need to obtain a validation sticker from MMPA before leaving the Lansing Center. This sticker needs to be placed on the entry ticket to allow you to exit the parking lot.

Directions and Parking

On the agenda:

  • Consideration of policy statements and resolutions
  • Election of two director-at-large positions on the MMPA board of directors
  • Recognition of MMPA’s 35- and 50-year members
  • Presentation of Valued Partner award
  • Announcement of MMPA Quality Award recipient
  • Introduction of MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators

Information for MMPA Delegates

All members are welcome to attend the annual meeting, however business will only be conducted by official delegates selected by their district. Members not serving as delegates are asked to register by February 28.

Delegates

You must be registered to be seated in the delegate area and to be eligible to vote. The election result form sent in by each local secretary will serve as the credentials for verifying local delegates. As a delegate you will be registering on a district basis prior to the meeting.  Please be prepared to provide your round trip mileage at the registration table.  Delegate mileage reimbursement will come directly from MMPA and will not need to go through your local secretary for reimbursement.

We look forward to your presence and participation in this meeting. If, however, you find you are unable to attend, please notify your local secretary to assign an alternate so the members of your local will be properly represented.  Only those alternates elected at your local meeting will be certified to vote in a delegate’s absence at the Annual Meeting.

Information for MMPA Member Award Winners

Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators

MMPA’s Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator finalists will be honored during the meeting. James Weber will be the OYDC host at the meeting and will help all OYDCs sign in. OYDCs will be reimbursed for round trip miles driven to the meeting. Please check in at non-delegate registration.

The young cooperator recognition is tentatively scheduled to be held in the morning session of the meeting. Following the OYDC recognition, anyone who is serving as a delegate can join their delegation for the balloting and voting that follows. If you also serve as a delegate for your local, please be sure to also register at your District table so that you may pick up your delegate folder. There is designated seating for OYDCs on the left side of the hall and reserved tables during the luncheon.

35- and 50-Year Members

Thirty-five and 50 year members will be honored in the afternoon session of the meeting. Please check in at non-delegate registration.  The members will be given the opportunity to make a few comments to share highlights and changes over the last 35 or 50 years of membership. If you also serve as a delegate for your local, please be sure to also register at your District table so that you may pick up your delegate folder. There is designated seating for OYDCs on the left side of the hall. During the luncheon all 35 and 50-year members are invited to sit at the reserved tables.