An Introduction To...

"The California Cotton Ginners Association"

PIONEERING FOR AN INDUSTRY

Recognition of the needs of the cotton ginning industry and developing programs to satisfy those needs has been the tradition of the California Cotton Ginners Association since its inception in 1973.

In the first sixty years of this century, the cotton ginning industry was part of a much simpler era.  Problems facing the industry were not as numerous as they are today.  There were far fewer government regulations and restrictions.

During the early years, the co-operative ginners formed the "Co-Operative Ginners Association" and were actively engaged in both legislative and educational problems of the industry.  The independent ginners continued to remain unorganized and met their needs individually.  On some occasions, two or three independent ginners would meet informally to unite their efforts toward a mutual goal.  But for the most part, it was each man for himself.

In the late 1960's and early 1970's, Federal and State governments placed a new emphasis on drastic change in the American workplace.  New agencies were formed and old ones revived.  New regulations were written with little input from the industries being regulated.  In some cases, where testimony was taken from the industry, it was ignored completely.  The results were regulations that could not be met by industry, nor policed by government.

In 1971, a few ginners began meeting. They were concerned over a series of regulations being imposed by State and Federal agencies.  Ginners attending those early meetings were intent on abandoning the old "lone wolf" policy which had become so prevalent in the industry.  What they envisioned was an organization that would represent a united front.

And so it was that the California Cotton Ginners Association was formed.  Today, the California Cotton Ginners Association is a dynamic, aggressive Association, whose members currently own and/or operate 54 ginning plants and gin 100% of the approximate 1.3 million bales of cotton produced annually in California.  Of the 54 gins, 28 are saw gins and 26 are roller gins.

Through the years, the Association has changed with the times. C.C.G.A. now has permanent offices in Fresno, California.  The full-time staff of three currently includes a President/CEO, an Executive Vice President and Director of Technical Services, an Assistant Vice President of Administration and Technical Services and a Administrative Assistant/Receptionist. The Association has also retained the best medical, legal and political experts possible. C.C.G.A. has become the innovator of change for the ginning industry throughout the entire country.

MEMBERSHIP

The California Cotton Ginners Association represents 100% of the entire cotton ginning industry in California.  Membership in the Association is classified as either "Regular" or "Associate".

"Regular" memberships, which stand at 28, are limited to "any cotton ginning firm which is engaged in the ginning of cotton during the previous year's ginning season".

"Associate" memberships, which currently stand at 63, are limited to "any individual or firm which is not engaged in the ginning of cotton during the previous calendar year but which individual or firm provides products or services related to the cotton ginning industry."  C.C.G.A. Associate members include, but are not limited to, machinery manufacturers, insurance representatives, bankers and suppliers of related products.

ORGANIZED TO SERVE

The California Cotton Ginners Association is governed by a Board of Directors, elected by its membership.  The Board consists of 15 members from throughout the state and 3 appointed Advisors.  Committees are maintained to advise the Board and represent all aspects of the cotton ginning industry.

C.C.G.A. members are selected to serve on the numerous committees: Executive, Joint Steering (in conjunction with Growers Association), Health & Safety, Gin Waste, Environmental, Ginners School, Energy, Elections, Ginners School, Regional Research Liaison and Annual Meeting committees, for example.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

At the heart of any successful organization lies an effective communication program. Each C.C.G.A. member receives a timely and informative newsletter which keeps its readers aware of issues effecting the ginning industry as well as the Association's current activities.  In addition to the newsletters, an updated and active website (www.ccgga.org) plus e-mail and faxes are used to keep its members up to date on the issues.

C.C.G.A. has a memers-only annual meeting early in each year to report on all aspects of the Association's business and activities and hear from its members.

In the late spring or early summer each year the C.C.G.A. hosts an industry meeting in Morro Bay for members and Associates to gather to hear an array of speakers brought in to discuss industry issues and hot topics. The meeting concludes with an awards banquet where the "Ginner of the Year" is recognized along with a sometimes "Distinguished Service Award" to a person selected for their service to the Association and cotton ginning industry.

Each year, the C.C.G.A. holds a special training school for the cotton ginners.  This school is attended by approximately 300 ginners and associates who are brought up-to-date on the latest safety and labor laws, safety equipment, ginning equipment and many more ideas on how to gin cotton better and more safely. 

The C.C.G.A. is in constant contact with other agricultural agencies and associations, working together to keep the public aware of progress the industry has made and problems facing it now and in the future.

LEGISLATIVE SERVICE

The C.C.G.A. maintains an active involvement in the legislative process, guided by the policies established by the Board of Directors.  To keep abreast of new laws and changes in rules effecting the cotton ginning industry, a constant vigil is maintained in Sacramento and Washington D.C.  To help in this process, the C.C.G.A. maintains professional political advisors in Sacramento and works with the National Cotton Ginners Association and the National Cotton Council in the Washington arena. 

Members of the Association and staff members are up front, testifying before various agencies and boards, telling the cotton ginner's story.  As a result, the industry receives more positive resolutions from the State and Federal Agencies that effect our industry.  By its participation in the National Cotton Ginners Association and its close contact with the National Cotton Council, the C.C.G.A. continues to be very effective in maintaining its input into the National political scene.

Although many things have changed over the past 30+ years of this Association, one thing that has not changed is the C.C.G.A.'s philosophy of recognizing the needs of its membership and then acting to satisfy those needs.  One needs only to look at the many past and continuing accomplishments of this organization to realize just how successful it has been in serving the entire ginning industry.