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The Beat Goes On...Posted 8/6/1997By Robert Anderson, AAM
It is clear that an association cannot be held responsible for the success of your business. An association only provides the tools to use as you choose and helps guide you in a professional manner. The tools are in the form of member benefits, national legislative representation and a host of hard-working, committed volunteers who put their hearts and souls into doing what they believe and have been instructed to do by the grassroots members. My hat goes off to each and every one of these volunteers for their undying commitment and dedication to you and their association. I would like to mention a few activities that will benefit ASA members. On the mechanical side, the Mechanical Division is continuing its effort to work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the Clean Air amendments and issues pertaining to OBD II. Also, a recent position has been established on auto refrigerants and retrofitting, and a position was taken to "clear the air" on the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP). The Collision Division continues to work aggressively to solve injustices within that industry segment. Recently, pressure has been applied and a message sent to the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) stating ASA's dissatisfaction with CAPA's 10 years of performance. Also, constant pressure is being applied to the information providers to clean up the injustices and abuses within the automated estimating systems. We have publicly asked the paint manufacturers to state proper refinish applications that they uniformly support. Lastly, letters have been written to major insurers addressing unfair claims practices. I am proud of the way these efforts are paying off to benefit all ASA members and the entire automotive industry. As you can see, the committee chairs and volunteers have been very busy and deserve special recognition. I hope that all Mechanical Division members will attend the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in Dearborn, Mich., Sept. 24-27. You will leave CARS refreshed and prepared to take on the day-to-day task of running a more profitable business. To Collision Division members, I hope you have made your reservations for ASA's International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) in Las Vegas, Dec. 4-7. These programs are for you and you should not miss this opportunity. The national association continues to turn its daily operations inside out to determine new and better ways of doing things to serve this industry; just as you do on a daily basis to tweak your business due to a changing business environment, economic and industry trends, and ongoing evolution. Yes, change is painful, but it is also inevitable. Things have and will continue to be very busy. You have the ability to choose your own destiny. We will help. I once said, "Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way." I'm still saying that.
Talk to you next month. In the meantime, we will keep working, as the beat
goes on ...
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Copyright (c) 1996-2009. Automotive Service Association®. All rights reserved.
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We have all heard the saying "time flies." I cannot believe I'm already halfway through my term as chairman. Even though it has been a very busy six months, I have quickly learned that you cannot satisfy everyone no matter what you do.
