Recyclers News Press
Page 5
From the Desk of the Executive Director
Sue Speaking
services to our membership without pulling folks away
from the sales counter. And how do we move the as-
sociation into the global electronic age and still main-
tain the fellowship that I think is the most endearing
part of membership?
Trade associations such as ours and other industry
types are seeing a metamorphosis as the members
are going through a challenging time in the economy,
along with everyone else. Darwinian forces are at
work sorting out the successful from the mediocre.
The association role in providing a wide array of data
and compiling, analyzing, distilling and communicat-
ing useful knowledge that impacts members is in-
creasingly important. The age of instant information
so quickly became information overload.
The issues we face as an association center around
making membership valued-added. Meaning the
member should feel that they get something they
would have a difficulty getting alone. Our I-CARE pro-
gram comes to mind here. Together we have brought
a level of attention to detail in environmental and
safety compliance we could not have achieved solo.
Another area the association plays a vital role in is
advocacy, still the most widely validated currency on
Capitol Hill. In the famous words of Margaret Mead,
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, commit-
ted, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the
only thing that ever has.”
So as we enter into preparation for the long winter
ahead we at least understand that work needs to be
done and that we need to work together to find the
best way for the association to meet the challenges of
the modern day. The funny part is that it is the same
dilemma the association has faced in every era!
Thanks for listening
,
Sue Schauls
Sue Schauls, Executive Director
