Organizational Member Strategy (OMS)
The Organizational Member Strategy (OMS) is a grassroots initiative to deliver a roadmap for effective and efficient advocacy for the future of Illinois agriculture. For more than 100 years, Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) has been the state’s leading voice for Illinois farm families. As we look forward, the member-driven OMS will ensure that IFB remains the most efficient, effective, and relevant resource and voice for Illinois farmers and agriculture. The vintage IAA logo serves as a reminder of IFB’s foundation. On that foundation, the members of the past built a century of service. Through a changing agricultural landscape, our members of the present will build the next generation of advocacy through the OMS.
OMS Progress Report
View the Progress Report
OMS Timeline
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2021 and Before
January, 2021IFB was noticing:
- Continued decline in membership, attributed to demographic shifts in the farming community
- Growing pressures on our members, including economic pressures, policy and legal challenges, and environmental regulations
- Challenges from the political divide in Illinois and the U.S. more broadly
- Supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic
- Negative impacts on Illinois’ rural areas due to population loss
- Staffing challenges due to shifts in employee expectations and tenure
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Strategic Framework
February, 2022IFB selected Aimpoint Research to evaluate and recommend a strategic framework for IFB and county Farm Bureaus to consider. Specifically, IFB asked Aimpoint to:
- Evaluate IFB's and county Farm Bureaus’ membership models in light of current trends, demographics, and member needs.
- Recommend ways to align IFB’s organizational priorities and programs with what members value.
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Aimpoint Report
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Structural Changes
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Aimpoint's Final Report
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Former Young Leaders Presentation
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IFB Managers Conference
May, 2023IFB engages county Farm Bureau managers at the IFB Managers Conference. Managers provide insight into data needs and priority areas of action for the OMS team.
Past President Guebert solicits applications for state and county farmer-leaders, Young Leaders, and county Farm Bureau managers to participate in the OMS Advisory Committee.
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OMS Advisory Committee and Staff Team
June, 2023The OMS Advisory Committee and Staff Team are named. The Advisory Committee includes the President, Vice-President, four IFB Directors, four County Farm Bureau Presidents, four County Farm Bureau Managers, and two Young Leaders. The Staff team consists of the Chief Strategy Officer and six staff team members representing all areas of IFB.
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OMS Advisory Committee First Meeting
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IFB Presidents Conference
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Ohio Farm Bureau
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Why Statement
October, 2023The OMS Advisory Committee defines its “Why” statement:
We are seeing:
- Continued decline in membership,
- Fewer and different types of farmers in the future with different needs and expectations,
- The need to serve farmers at all stages of their careers,
- Resource inconsistencies and concern over the development of future revenue streams (CFB finances),
- Changing member and employee preferences on how to deliver services differently, through both staffing and structure, and
- A need for better stewardship of current and future volunteer leaders.
Therefore, County Farm Bureaus and Illinois Farm Bureau must work together with a sense of urgency and take intentional steps to reinvent the organization over the coming years to maintain relevancy for farmers of the future while ensuring the advocacy and engagement needs of all members are being delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible.
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IAA Annual Meeting
December, 2023IFB engages and gathers input from members at the IAA Annual Meeting through focus groups, a microtalk, and an address to delegates.
Mark Gebhards Remarks about OMS at 2023 Annual Meeting.
New IFB President Brian Duncan assumes role as chair of the OMS Advisory Committee.
CFB Managers participate in a questionnaire about areas of opportunity.
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Winter 2024
January, 2024OMS launched a member survey and embarked on a season-long series of focus groups. OMS staff traveled to events across the state, including the Everything Local, Young Leader, and Governmental Affairs Leadership conferences. The survey, of IFB voting and professional members, remained open until March.
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Subcommittees Announced
April, 2024OMS announces it will be organizing subcommittees. These subcommittees will focus on the topics of programming and engagement, county Farm Bureaus, and membership. These subcommittees will run for four months in length. They will run from May 2024 until September 2024. OMS received subcommittee applications from members in 42 counties across the state!
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Subcommittees Begin to Meet
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Summer 2024
June, 2024Subcommittees met multiple times a month discussing ideas on the future of Illinois Farm Bureau's membership, potential programming and engagement events, and ways to help county Farm Bureaus thrive in the future.
County Farm Bureau presidents and managers received and analyzed the results of the member survey, containing both local and statewide member sentiment on Farm Bureau strengths and opportunities for growth.
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Summer 2024