During the week of October 15th, TRASA board members Stephen McWilliams and Jake Huffmeyer, along with our Executive Director Patti Ward, will be traveling to Dallas TX and attending PPAI's annual Leadership Development Workshop (LDW). Many of the other 26 regional associations across the USA will send representatives from their respective boards for this event. Around 150 people will be in attendance.
LDW is a jam packed 1-1/2 days of training and knowledge sharing about what is working in our industry and what lies ahead. LDW influences what we plan for the following year and how to guide TRASA effectively to ensure our members get the most out of their membership. What the 3 of us will learn and experience at LDW is worth all the volunteer time we put into TRASA every year.
I mention all of this as we are coming up on election time for TRASA. Every year, we ask that our members come forward to nominate themselves. Our struggle is finding a few good members who can find a way to squeeze us into their already busy schedules. The 3 year commitment may seem like a lot of time; however, I looked at it as a 3 year opportunity to make myself a better distributor.
Volunteering is tough and can eat into your personal time. I am proud father of 3 boys whose ages are 8, 5, and 11 months. The oldest two play sports a combined 7 days a week, plus I coach all 3 teams (2 soccer and 1 ice hockey). On top of this, I still work 40 hours a week and currently serve as the TRASA Board President. I don't say all of this to brag. I mention it, as I have had to step up since the "volunteer well" has started to run dry.
Tom Clouser, a Past President of the TRASA board, had to leave our industry during his first term. When the opportunity to come back as supplier rep presented itself, he took it and nominated himself to serve on the board again. During one of our meetings, he was asked by a fellow board member why he wanted to serve again. His inspired response was "TRASA and this industry has given me so many opportunities to grow personally and professionally, that volunteering is just a small way for me to give back."
Very soon, you will have the opportunity to give back. Please consider nominating yourself for election to our wonderful TRASA Board of Directors. This is your chance to help TRASA become a better organization than it already is. With your added knowledge, insight, and participation, we will continue to grow and prosper.
(see the article below and nominate yourself - we are seeking 2 distributors and 2 suppliers)
To Our Success!
Stephen McWilliams
TRASA President
