GAWDA'S Value Proposition

The Board of Directors changed the Dues Schedule for 2009. The new dues cover membership from November 1, 2008, through December 31, 2009. The membership year and the fiscal year are both now calendar years. As Lloyd Robinson, the chair of the Dues Task Force, mentioned during his presentation at the Annual Convention, “14 Months for the Price of 12.”

You have undoubtedly noticed that your dues are higher this year. For companies in the lowest dues categories, your dues increased three to fourfold, a very dramatic increase. The Board made the determination that the value of membership in GAWDA was significantly higher than the previous base rates and that there should be a much higher “buy-in” for membership. This much higher base rate then had a ripple effect throughout the rest of the categories. There was also the recognition that the smaller members use more of the services, and GAWDA was not covering its cost of providing those services at the lower dues levels.

Several of our members at the lower dues categories have decided that the value of membership, the return on their investment, is not as high as their new dues and have subsequently resigned. We are sad to see them leave the organization, but respect their decision. The majority of our members have determined that the value they receive equates to the new dues rates and have continued their membership. We thank them for their continued support.

The Board focuses on providing programs and services that increase your return on your investment in GAWDA. During the past two years, the Board has initiated major changes in member benefits.

Members always identify the opportunity to network with their peers and partners as a major benefit of GAWDA. During the Annual Convention, the Spring Management Conference or the Regional Meetings, you have the chance to see a very large number of your associates in a short amount of time. The format of the Annual Convention and the SMCs has been changed by the Planning Committees to include more free time for networking and for suppliers to plan special events, while the number of Regional Meetings has increased from 14 to 20.

GAWDA has increased its educational offerings. The most dramatic new benefit is GAWDA University Online. This low cost, computer-based educational tool helps you provide your employees with the training they require to stay in compliance and safe. Additional workshops and the opportunity to share industry best-practices have been incorporated into all of our meetings.

The Audit Committee spent the past nine months evaluating and restructuring our consultant relationships. The new contracts with Mike Dodd and Rick Schweitzer, plus the addition of AsteRisk and TAP Resources, will provide you with enhanced consulting services, while also decreasing the direct financial impact on GAWDA.

The rebirth of the Young Executives Program has created additional opportunities for your next generation of leaders to network, learn about the industry and develop skills that will benefit not only your company, but GAWDA and the industry as well. The addition of a new online publication, GAWDA Edge, has created a communication tool to support these efforts.

GAWDA's Compliance Manuals are now part of your dues, while in the past they were only available to you for an extra charge. The Human Resources Committee is completing an update of the Human Resources Manual, while the Safety Committee is starting a rewrite of the OSHA, DOT, EPA and FDA Compliance Manuals. Again, added value for you in return for your membership investment.

More bang for your buck is on the way in 2009. GAWDA U Online is adding more courses and more training features. Webinars with an emphasis on sales and operations are being planned. A redesigned Web site with increased member value as the key consideration is in the works.

Not every member uses every program and service. You pick and choose those that have the greatest value to you. The most important consideration is that you take advantage of these benefits that you receive in return for your dues.