We’ve been talking to shareholders across our communities—through surveys, small focus group discussions, and in day-to-day engagement on the ground. We’ve made it our priority to deeply understand how people view and think about descendant enrollment. We learned that people value benefits such as dividend payments, employment, and job training as well as their ties to the region, culture, and tradition.

Descendant enrollment achieves many things, among them allowing newly engaged shareholders to become involved with our corporation in new and meaningful ways. Furthermore, it provides a way to connect a new generation with our culture and values. And it’s a practical way to address the implications that come with an aging base of original shareholders.