Around ASA
by B.J. Frank For four years now, ASA-Portland, Oregon, has awarded an ASA chapter member the prestigious honor of "Shop of the Year." This year's winner is Roth & Miller Autobody & Paint, Inc., in Portland, owner Camille Eber. The award was presented at the chapter's December meeting. On another chapter-related note, Art and Sherry Morse of Art Morse Auto Repair became grandparents for the first time in September. Art is the ASA-Portland chapter president. According to Art, the grandbaby, mother and father are doing well.
An agreement has been forged between the Ohio Attorney General's office and ASA-Ohio. At the request of the Attorney General's office, ASA-Ohio will now work to resolve consumer complaints of its members. When a complaint about an ASA-Ohio member is filed with the attorney's office, the complaint is directed to ASA-Ohio who will supply the consumer and the shop in question with forms to resolve the issue. If the situation cannot be resolved in this manner, the ASA-Ohio Consumer Relations Committee will review and mediate the complaint. The committee is comprised of ASA members outside the area where the consumer and member are located. The findings of the Consumer Relations Committee are binding on the ASA member. Should the consumer disagree with the findings of the committee, the complaint will be sent back to the Attorney General's office for resolution. ASA-Ohio has had a mediation program in place for quite some time, as well as having members abide by it through its Code of Ethics. This new relationship with the Attorney General's office will take the existing program to a new level.
Positive things are happening for ASA-Kentucky. The affiliate has named a new executive director, Jo Anne Messersmith. Messersmith has been involved in association management for more than 20 years. During that time, she worked in the office of the ASA-Indiana/ Kentucky executive director for 10 years.
National Car Care Month
October was National Car Care Month and is traditionally a time when many ASA affiliates and chapters provide the motoring public with safety check lanes to promote preventive maintenance and consumer education of the industry. As a public service, ASA-Washington conducted free inspection and replacement of exterior vehicle bulbs and headlamps at 12 statewide locations on Oct. 5. The ASA-Washington "Lights-On" program celebrated its 24th year in 1996 and is endorsed by a signed proclamation from Gov. Mike Lowry. Another ASA group who provided the public with a valuable service was the ASA-Brazos Valley, Texas, chapter. On Oct. 4, the chapter promoted Car Care Month, the industry and ASA on local radio station WTAW, 1150 AM. Dan Waskow, AAM, Superior Auto Service, in Bryan, and past chapter president, was the spokesperson during the live broadcast. Waskow explained to consumers what National Car Care Month was and why they should choose an ASA member-business for their repair needs. ASA-Arizona and its chapters also participated in the annual event by holding inspections on Oct. 5 and 12. The ASA-Tucson chapter led the other locations with more than 230 vehicles inspected. ASA-Prescott was a close second, while ASA-Phoenix and ASA-Verde Valley chapters completed the day with a total of 190 vehicle inspections. Bill Mason, ASA-Arizona executive director, said, "By 3 p.m. on both days, there were a bunch of very tired, but very proud, techs, owners and helpers at the locations." This program is carried out each year with the help of AAA, Snap-on and usually a grocery chain to provide goodies for the workers.
National News
The Automotive Service Association was cited in The Wall Street Journal on Nov. 25, 1996, and in an Associated Press article released in mid-December. Both articles were responses to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) proposal on deactivation of vehicle air bags. ASA opposes allowing customers to request deactivation in existing vehicles by any source, mainly because statistics prove that the proper use of air bags significantly reduces the chances of death or serious injury. ASA also believes the proposal fails to address liability concerns. For new vehicles, ASA is considering supporting the use of off-on switches or allowing customers the right to choose not to have the air bags installed.
ASA announced a 15 percent dividend return on its workers' compensation member benefit program. The program has been provided by Dodson Insurance Group in Kansas City, Mo., since 1960. The 15 percent dividend is the largest ASA members have received in 10 years and totaled more than $400,000. Dividend checks were distributed to approximately 500 ASA member-businesses in December. The dividend was accumulated from the policy year of Aug. 1, 1995, to July 31, 1996. "The dividend is attributed to the outstanding managerial and organizational skills of the ASA member-businesses who participated in the program. The excellent loss ratio amount demonstrates the professionalism of our members," said G.W. "Bud" Merwin III, ASA president and chief staff executive.
The ASA 1995 Annual Report won "Honorable Mention" in the Annual Report category of the ASSOCIATION trends publication contest. The contest is conducted annually by ASSOCIATION trends, the national weekly newspaper for association executives and suppliers. Awards will be presented Jan. 30 in Washington, D.C. In 1995, ASSOCIATION trends awarded ASA the outstanding achievement award for the
ASA Public/Consumer Advertising program.
This Month's Reminder
VOTE NOW! Electronic voting for the 1997 ASA Board of Directors began Jan. 2, 1997. There are two positions for General Director open. The toll-free voting number is (800) VOTE-ASA (868-3272). To participate in the voting process, you will need to have available your complete member number and the three-digit security access code. These numbers are found on the mailing label of AutoInc.'s December 1996 issue and on the January and February 1997 issues.
A New Chapter
A welcome is in order for ASA's newest chapter, ASA-Omaha, Nebraska. The chapter was formed in October and the new board of directors was installed. ASA-Omaha board members are President Ron Redding, R & G Service Center, Inc.; Vice President Ken Spaustat, Quality Auto Care Center; Treasurer Elmer Buhrenne, Westside Garage, Inc.; and Secretary Joel Haver, Haver's Service Center. ASA-Kansas was very instrumental in the development of the new chapter and will continue to work closely with ASA-Omaha.ASA Main Page || AutoInc. Main Page
Shop Cleanliness: It's Just Part Of The Job || Locating The Right Salvage Parts || The Air Bag Debate || ASA Sets Legislative Objectives For 105th Congress || Voting Line Open For 1997 National Elections || Don't Blow A Gasket || Purchasing Shop Insurance ||
Guest Editorial: Coordinate Your Efforts For Optimal Results
Tech To Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking The Hill
Around ASA || Shop Profile || Net Worth || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLV No. 1, January 1997