Around ASA

By B.J. Johnson

ASA-Washington Holds Retreat at Harrison Hot Springs

ASA-Washington members enjoying dinner at Hell's Gate.

The ASA-Washington affiliate held its Semiannual Retreat and Management Conference June 21-24 in Harrison Hot Springs, Canada. As in past years, the retreat opened in the hospitality suite. This provides attendees the opportunity to visit with fellow members and relax before the meetings begin.

Attendees participated in a general business meeting chaired by Elaine Mills, AAM, affiliate president. The agenda included the treasurer's report, presentations on the monthly newsletter, the Ascettes and chapter reports. In addition, attendees were updated on association business through division roundtable discussions.

An annual tradition for the retreat has been the ASA-Washington Ascettes' silent auction. This year the Ascettes raised more than $1,800 during the auction. The monies raised fund the scholarship program and purchase needed items for the affiliate.

Another tradition is the fun event held during the retreat. This year's event was a 502-foot descent in an airtram across the Fraser River, where 200 million gallons of water per minute surge through the 110-foot wide gorge known as Hell's Gate. Upon reaching their destination, attendees had several entertainment options including a fudge shop, gift store, and informative exhibits on spawning salmon and the fishway construction. Attendees ended the evening with live entertainment, a buffet dinner and a scavenger hunt.

The retreat closed with a Sunday morning breakfast. ASA-Washington will hold its next Semiannual Retreat and Management Conference Jan. 24-26, 2002, at the Enzian Motor Inn in Leavenworth, Wash.

ASA-Rockford Gives Away 2001 Harley Davidson

The ASA-Rockford, Ill., chapter raffled off a 2001 Harley Davidson Fat Boy at its annual golf outing held July 16 at the Bel-Mar Country Club in Belvidere, Ill. The winner of the Fat Boy was Debbie Schiame of Rockford. The chapter sold more than 1,600 raffle tickets for the drawing.

Raffle tickets were $20 each and proceeds will be used for future member benefits for the chapter. The Fat Boy was purchased from Kegel Motorcycle Co. in Rockford.

ASA Affiliate to Hold Scholarship Benefit Gold Tournament

The ASA-Mo./Kan. affiliate will hold its first Automotive Technology Scholarship Benefit Golf Tournament Oct. 20 at the Dub's Dread Golf Course in Kansas City, Kan. Proceeds from the tournament will help support the affiliate's scholarship program. The program offers up to four scholarships for both the fall and spring semesters to students enrolled in an automotive technology program in Kansas or Missouri.

For more information, contact Sheri Hamilton, ASA-Mo./Kan. executive director, at (816) 781-5801.

NATIONAL NEWS

The annual “How's Your Business” survey was mailed in July to 4,000 randomly selected mechanical and collision ASA national members. The results are used for an article in the December issue of AutoInc., as well as to help the association communicate the state of the industry. All answers remain anonymous.

Thanks to those who participated in the survey. Your continued support of ASA and the industry is appreciated.

The ASA Membership Department works diligently to increase association memberships and benefits. Recent activities of the department include recruiting and retention efforts in Florida, eastern Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Rhode Island.

In addition to these endeavors, ASA will host Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminars in Michigan, Florida and South Carolina.

Bill Haas, AAM, ASA Mechanical Division manager, recently appeared on the noon news show of WYFF-TV in Greenville, S.C. Haas provided viewers with tips on summertime car care. He discussed the importance of such items as oil changes, tire pressure and coolants. In addition to maintenance tips, Haas told motorists to look for the red, white and blue ASA sign to find a highly qualified, professional shop.

The approximately five-minute spot was made possible through the Allen Taylor Communications firm.

In July, ASA asked its South Carolina members to write U.S. Sen. Ernest F. Hollings, D-S.C., and tell him about the difficulties encountered in getting service information from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Members were instructed to urge Hollings to support legislation to require OEMs to make service information available to the aftermarket.

ASA was well represented at the recently held Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair's (I-CAR) annual meeting, July 19-22 in Baltimore, Md. ASA board members and staff in attendance included Jim Keller, AAM, ASA chairman; Dan Frohlich, AAM, chairman-elect; Kevin Caldwell, AAM, secretary-treasurer; Geralynn Kottschade, AAM, general director; Chris Dameron, AAM, Collision Division director; Walter Trapp, president; and Sharon Merwin, Collision Division manager. In addition, members of the ASA Collision Division Operations Committee attending were Nick Gojmeric, Bob Anderson, AAM, Harry Moppert and Chuck Sulkala.

Numerous ASA members were also in attendance, including Jerry Kottschade, AAM, I-CAR board member; Johnny Mock, AAM, I-CAR Education Foundation board member; Clark Plucinski; Johnny Dickerson, AAM; and Jim Busch, AAM.

Reminder of the Month

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) recently put its business aids catalog online. The catalog provides members with information on various products offered through ASA, including ordering procedures and pricing.

Members may access the catalog through the Member's Only section of the ASA Web site (www.asashop.org).

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