“Strategy in my organization is crucial; I am representing my fellow farmers.

” This was the statement (in

vernaculars) of Mrs Anielyn Sapan, one of the BOD of Tinungkaan Gamek Small Farmers Cooperative,
when I interviewed her on April 23 rd, 2021 in her own house and ask her to tell me about strategy. “The
organization is there to help farmers access inputs needed in their farms as well teach them the
effective way of marketing their products with a sure profit” she added. Her position in the organization
is of great importance and is also a great responsibility. As for her understanding, her tasks, together
with the rest of the board, are to find resources and support from outside organizations, allocate funds,
and provide direction for the organization.

She honestly told me that the board do not meet regularly. Sometimes they meet every 3 months. But
this does not mean they are slacking. Again, it is the farmers they are serving. There is no much of a
preparation for her in the meeting. But she is directly involved in the strategic management of the
cooperative. She even oppose certain provisions if she had to especially if it might be risky. They usually
meet to discuss pressing issues, talk about the problems that were reported. Recently, they are
discussing applying a loan from the bank to be used in buying agricultural inputs.

In her 3 years in the service, she had been responsible of her duties. According to her, being dedicated
to her work make her proud because she could help the farmers in her community alleviate from
poverty. Since she is a farmer herself, she is making sure that the policies and agreement in the
organization is in favor of the members, which are all farmers.

I asked her if she noticed some changes in the role of the BOD in recent years. The role of the board of
directors, from her perspective, did actually change; she cannot just able to explain to me what exactly it
is. For a follow up question, I asked what changes she likes to see in the role of BOD. She
straightforwardly answered that she is hoping for numerous strategy workshops for the directors of a
cooperative like her organization. She firmly believe that it is important that a board realizes how
important it is to acquire skills, gain experience, and be knowledgeable of their role as the leaders of the
cooperative.