competencies, "attend board meetings" (M=6.3, SD=1.5) and "pay attention to

proceedings at meetings (M=6.3, SD=1.4) were the most important competencies of this

section. "Participate in Farm Bureau sponsored programs" (M=5.7, SD=1.5) scored the

lowest.

Table 4-23 Effective Board Competencies of County Board Members Importance
 (N=114)
 Mean SD
Attend board meetings 6.3 1.5
Pay attention to proceedings at meetings 6.3 1.4
Demonstrate ability to work together for the benefit of the whole 6.2 1.4
Farm Bureau organization
Demonstrate ability to work together to solve problems 6.2 1.4
Employ mutual respect for all board members 6.2 1.4
Support the organization 6.2 1.4
Support board decisions 6.2 1.4
Up-hold the bylaws of the organization 6.2 1.4
Demonstrate ability to work together to develop the goals necessary 6.1 1.4
to achieve the vision of the organization
Represent Farm Bureau to others in the community 6.1 1.4
Support the county president 6.1 1.4
Demonstrate interest in serving on the county Farm Bureau board 5.9 1.6
Evaluate materials involving issues 5.9 1.5
Identify with the business structure in the community 5.8 1.3
Participate in Farm Bureau sponsored programs 5.7 1.5

Total Mean 6.1 1.4
Cronbach's Alpha .99


 "Pay attention to proceedings at meetings" (M=6.2, SD=1.5) had the highest

mean for the proficiencies in the effective board section (Table 4-24), which indicates

that respondents felt they were most proficient in this competency. The overall mean of

this section was 5.9. The competency respondents felt least proficient in was

"participate in Farm Bureau sponsored programs" (M=5.3, SD=1.2). The other

competencies that scored the least of this section and would reflect the lowest

proficiencies included: "evaluate materials involving issues" (M=5.8, SD=1.3), "identify