(a) The Director shall notify all certified producer organizations within each cotton-producing state and all certified importer organizations of the location, date, and time of the caucus for nominating producer and importer representatives for the Cotton Board as specified in § 1205.324. The Director will designate a representative from the Cotton Division to attend the caucus meeting of cotton producer organizations in each state, and of cotton importer organizations. Each eligible cotton producer organization within each cotton-producing state and each importer organization will be entitled to only one representative at the caucus for the purpose of nominating two qualified persons for each member and for each alternate member to be selected. The representative of a cotton producer organization shall be a cotton producer and resident of such state, an officer or member of the Board of Directors of such organization, and duly and unqualifiedly authorized in writing by such organization to make nominations on its behalf. The representative of an importer organization shall be an importer of cotton and/or products containing cotton, an officer or member of the Board of Directors of such organization, and duly and unqualifiedly authorized in writing by such organization to make nominations on its behalf. The representative of the Director designated to attend the caucus meeting of cotton producer organizations in each state and of cotton importer organizations will ascertain the qualifications and eligibility of each representative of a cotton producer organization or cotton importer organization to participate in said meeting and to make nominations.

(b) Each caucus will be conducted as follows: