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AccessibilityPosted 8/10/1999By John Mock, AAM Co-authored by Arlene Farber Sirkin and Michael P. McDermott, the book stresses the importance of association leaders being accessible to its members. I agree fully with this premise. As a board of directors, my fellow board members and I are as accessible to you as your phone. You will notice that our shop phone numbers are printed on this page every month. We also have our fax numbers and e-mail addresses listed in the ASA Membership Directory. Should you ever have a question or idea about the governance of your association, do not hesitate to contact any board member. The same is true of the national ASA staff. Their job is to serve you. They are accessible by phone at (800) 272-7467 or e-mail at asainfo@asashop.org. For you to get the most value from your membership, you should take advantage of the benefits and services offered through the national office. Accessibility doesn't end with the board of directors or national staff. I know firsthand that the staffs of ASA's affiliates are truly member servants and respond anytime a member calls. More important, perhaps, than the accessibility of board members and staff, is the accessibility of your fellow members. Bill Filley, the Mechanical Division director, learned just how vital the accessibility of fellow members is. In fact, he said it was his membership in ASA and the accessibility of his fellow members in Oregon that made it possible for his business to survive a devastating fire. I encourage you to read more about Bill's experience in the Members' Advantage column of this issue. His story is a great example of taking a tragedy and turning it into a success. The primary reason he was able to turn the negative into a positive was because of his membership in ASA and the accessibility of his fellow members. Accessibility takes forms other than the availability of people. Accessibility also includes the availability of such things as training and industry information. The availability of training, both technical and managerial, has long been fundamental to this association. At ASA-sponsored events - the annual convention, CARS and NACE - education is always a primary focus. At this year's CARS convention, an even greater emphasis will be placed on technical education. Historically, we've offered two or three technical classes in addition to management seminars. This year, there will be seven technical classes. What a great opportunity for both you and your technicians to receive training from the nation's best instructors. On the collision side, NACE always has four days packed with seminars and panel discussions geared to help you run your business better. I agree that your accessibility to its people and your accessibility to industry information will determine ASA's success in the 21st century.
Because our people and information are already quite accessible, I'm confident that our association and its members will experience success in the next
millennium.
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Copyright (c) 1996-2008. Automotive Service Association. All rights reserved.
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The American Society of Association Executives has recently published a book that has a stated purpose of providing association leaders "strategies for 21st century success."
