American Seed Trade Association

“Members of asta shall be divided into five classes, which include active members, corresponding members, affiliate members, associate members, and honorary members. Active members - firms engaged in transactions involving research, development, growing or selling of seed for planting purposes and technology delivered in or on seed, which in these transactions acts as principals to take title to the same, shall be classified as active seed members. Firms engaged in transactions involving purchase or sale of seed or technology delivered in or on the seed which do not take title to the same but act as broker, agent or representative for principals in these transactions shall be classified as broker-agent members. Corresponding members - firms which meet the qualifications for either category of active membership except that their established place of business is in a country other than the united states, canada or mexico. Affiliate members - any association or agency officially organized and operating with interest directly related to seeds but not meeting the qualifications for active membership. This may include, but not be limited to, state and regional trade associations, crop improvement and seed certifying agencies, and associations of seed technologists. Affiliate membership shall not constitute membership in asta on the part of the individual members of these organizations. Associate members - firms marketing products other than seed or firms providing services excluding those defined for either category of active members, above, for use in agriculture or horticulture who have established a satisfactory reputation for trustworthy dealing in the conduct of such business and whose products or services are of such a nature that the participation of such firms shall, in the judgment of the board of directors, contribute substantially to the fulfillment of the purposes of asta. Honorary members - persons who have given long and outstanding service to the seed industry, who have been designated for this honor by the current chairman of asta.”

“Each active member shall be entitled to one vote on all association affairs. Active members shall enjoy the full privileges of asta. Corresponding, affiliate and associate members shall not have voting rights on any matters coming before the board of directors, and representatives of such members shall not be eligible to hold positions as officers or directors of asta or to attend meetings declared to be executive sessions other than as invited guests. Honorary members shall have no voting rights. In other respects, they shall enjoy the full privileges of asta.”

“The draft version of the federal form 990 is reviewed and approved by the vice president of finance/secretary prior to filing with the internal revenue service.”

“The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to foster public confidence in the integrity of asta and to protect asta's interest when it is contemplating entering a transaction that might benefit the private interest of a director, a corporate officer, the top management or top financial official, or a key employee. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations. Each insider shall disclose to the board of directors all material facts regarding his or her interest in the transaction, promptly upon learning of the proposed transaction. With regard to an insider, the board of directors shall determine if a conflict of interest exists. The insider(s) and any other interested person(s) involved with the transaction shall not be present during the board of directors' discussion or determination of whether a conflict of interest exists. The board of directors shall follow the procedures set forth in the policy in order to decide what measures are needed to protect asta's interests in light of the nature and seriousness of the conflict, to decide whether to enter into the transaction and, if so, to ensure that the terms of the transaction are appropriate.”

“Compensation of the ceo/president is reviewed and approved by the administrative committee of the board of directors. The process for determining compensation for all other staff, using comparative data, was last completed in 2022.”

“Governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are made available to the public upon request.”