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MEMBERSHIP
FORM | SPONSORSHIP
FORM
Dear Custom Operator
Enthusiast!
Our group consists of people like you who are involved in
many aspects of custom work including: forage harvesting,
silo filling, combining, tillage, planting, baling, manure
handling, spraying, among others.
The Wisconsin Custom Operators Association also has members
who have interests in our type of work such as implement
dealers, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and people
involved in continuing agricultural education.
The organization is now going into its 7th official year.
We are now over 80 paid members statewide, with custom operator
attendance at functions typically between 110 and 125, with
membership growing each year!
PURPOSES:
1) Improved Quality of Services
2) Labor management
3) Public awareness of our industry
4) Contracting Issues
5) Safety emphasis
6) Business Management ideas
7) D.O.T., D.M.V., D.O.L. issues
8) Networking opportunities
9) Equipment updates
10) Insurance options
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/ACTIVITIES:
Board of Directors: Made up of nine members
from all over the State. Board Members are on three-year
terms, with staggering terms so there is the potential for
a mix of experience and new energy every year. The Board
determines the direction and priority of activities for
the organization. The Directors come from a cross section
of Wisconsin, as well as a cross section of various interest
groups.
Committees:
The following are active committees of the organization
made up of some Board members and also members at large.
1) Recruitment/Nomination
2) Education/Conference
3) Regulations
4) Newsletter/Media
Annual Meeting/Conference/Trade
Show: We continue to be involved as one of the
principle sponsors in the annual tri-organization conference
along with the Midwest Forage Association and the Wisconsin
Professional Nutrient Applicators Organization. Topics continue
to be informational and useful to our membership. In addition,
the trade show that coincides with the educational meetings,
have increasingly become more oriented to Custom Operators
interests and needs. Over 250 people and 28 vendors attended
this year’s conference held in Wisconsin Dells.
Related
Organizations: We have established relationships
with other related organizations including the Professional
Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, the Dairy Business Association
of Wisconsin, the Professional Nutrient Applicators of Wisconsin
and the Midwest Forage Association. Several of our Board
members have been appointed to committees of some of those
organizations.
Regulations:
We have successfully petitioned the Wisconsin Dept of Labor
to look at our industry as “sub agriculture”
in regards to overtime requirements. The Department now
recognizes overtime requirements for our type of work the
same way it recognizes “farms” and also the
same as the Federal Dept of Labor. Other issues that are
being worked on include: Definitions of Implements of Husbandry,
requirements for “farm/custom” operations, Dept
of Revenue issues with fuel taxes, among others
Website:
We have established a website which is constantly
growing and improving. The website currently offers exposure
for our members and lots of educational links related to
custom operator concerns. The entire University/Extension
system is now aware of our site, and is able to offer its
link as a useful resource for producers who are interested
in using custom operators. The site has recently undergone
some great new updates, with more planned in the near future!
BENEFITS:
Education: The annual conference and website
continue to provide valuable information to members regarding
all sorts of pertinent issues and topics ranging from equipment
to regulations to feed quality to better methods of doing
our work.
Networking:
Being able to work with others to work on common
problems and concerns as well as cultivate relationships
to help get the jobs done.
Discounts:
Some sponsor members are providing CASH benefits to being
a member. Legal, Accounting, and Insurance firms are offering
discounted rates to members. It PAYS to belong!
Strength
in Numbers: The organization offers a powerful
voice to help to affect change in certain issues that concern
us collectively. The bigger and more active our group is,
the more positive influence we will have.
Levels of
Membership
General
Member: A person or company who is in the business
of custom operating as it relates to agriculture. $50/annual
dues, Full voting rights, Eligible for Board of Directors,
Newsletter, Mailing List, Complete Business listing on the
W.C.O. website.
Associate
Corporate Member/Silver Level: Typically is an
implement dealer or other business interested in supporting
the W.C.O. $250 minimum annual dues. Eligible to be on the
Board of Directors, Mailing List, Access to participant’s
list for W.C.O. functions, Recognized on the website (w/links,
etc.)
Associate
Corporate Member/Gold Level: Typically is a manufacturer
or other business interested in supporting the W.C.O. $500
minimum annual dues, Eligible to be on the Board of Directors,
Mailing List, Access to participant’s list for W.C.O.
functions, Appropriate Website Recognition with links to
Sponsor’s website.
IF you are
a Custom Operator who is serious about:
Improving or expanding your business,
Providing a better product/service for your clients,
Projecting a more professional image of your company,
Keeping up-to-date with the latest in equipment,
Learning about recent regulation changes that affect your
business,
Link with University/Extension people for what’s new
in science,
And would like to listen and share ideas with like minded
people,
IF you are
a producer who uses a Custom Operator and would like him/her
to have the above mentioned information:
IF you are
a vendor, dealer, manufacturer, supplier who is anxious
to have access to a motivated, targeted audience:
THEN Membership
in the Wisconsin Custom Operators, Inc. is for YOU!
MEMBERSHIP
DUES
Wisconsin Custom
Operators (owner, operator, etc.) $50
Silver Corporate Membership $250
Gold Corporate Membership $500
Include as much
information as you like above, the more you include, the
better the chances of being contacted by potential customers
and others. A “website survey” will be mailed
to all members to gain additional information for publication
on the website.
Please return with
your remittance to:
Wisconsin Custom Operators, Inc.
813 W. Lexington Pkwy.
DeForest, WI 53532-3055
Website: www.wiscustomoperators.org
Email: info@wiscustomoperators.org
Phone: 608.695.4372
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