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Learning the Political ProcessPosted 6/11/1997By Robert Anderson, AAM
Last month, I visited our Washington, D.C., office. I was both enlightened and impressed with all the things they do in an attempt to serve us, the ASA members, including the amazingly large amount of time they spend reading periodicals on a daily basis to keep in tune with all the legislative activities on the Capitol. During my visit, I learned more about the on-line State Net Program. Every day, an ASA Washington, D.C., representative visits the State Net Program and constantly monitors legislative activity in every state, and then discusses these activities with the staff of ASA. It is then decided which legislation to monitor, and ASA state affiliates are notified of relevant legislative activity. I think the Washington, D.C., office is doing a great job keeping our industry better informed. In fact, over the past several months, our news releases have increased in excess of 38 percent. This trend will likely continue because ASA wants us to be more informed on legislative issues that affect our day-to-day businesses. We need this monitoring, and more importantly, we need their guidance. I also hope the ASA periodicals, Washington Watch and State Observer, are read by those who receive them and are being shared with others in our industry. These monthly publications provide summaries of all major legislative activities relevant to our industry on the state and national levels. We can learn from each other by sharing information on state legislation - what works in one state may work in another, and knowing what is going on in other states helps put matters into perspective within our respective states. Also, proposals made on the national level are often results of a mix of ideas that originated on the state level. Together we will keep trying to come up with a more acceptable solution, but time is of essence and we must act quickly. We need your support and your input. For those individuals across the country who have become legislatively motivated, you know the legislative process can and does work for you. You must prepare yourself to know and understand the issues. More importantly, you must show up. Your representatives do not necessarily understand your needs, wants or desires unless you vocalize them - call them or write letters. It is a process we must learn to work with. You should also become politically active with Political Action Committees (PACs) that allow entities with common interests to contribute to political candidates that support legislation favorable to the contributing entities. We must support their endeavors, and we have to learn to play the political game if we ever want to win. Get to know your representative, keep up with important issues and participate in functions that involve the representative in your area, whether it's through town meetings, political events or industry-related meetings. The National Association of Realtors is an organization that has considerable success on the grassroots level. Most members of Congress know a realtor in their district who has approached them on some pertinent issue. If an issue comes up relative to the real estate industry, the congressperson calls that realtor from his or her district. We need to have the same relationship for independent repairers. This has to be initiated at the grassroots level - it is neither expensive nor time consuming. Lastly, please remember that the Washington, D.C., staff needs our input to help them determine ASA's future direction. So, I plead to you: Do Not Be Silent! They invite and welcome your direction. I know there are many disgruntled members within our industry. You cannot always blame other people or entities for doing what they think is right. However, we are sometimes allowing others to do what they think is right because of our lack of direction. We are all guilty and must do better by understanding our own needs and the needs of our association, and we must direct our leaders to do a better job.
Talk to you next month!
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Copyright (c) 1996-2008. Automotive Service Association. All rights reserved.
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As a person who has been involved in ASA for some time, I thought I knew almost everything that goes on within ASA. I must admit, I have learned a lot in the past few months that I didn't previously know, and the experience has been a pleasurable one.
