Let The Games Begin!

Jenny McCall

Published: December 15, 2009

If you attended the Closing Business Session at the Annual Convention of the Gases and Welding Distributors Association in San Antonio, you heard my induction speech, which was about “Getting into the Game.” The message was that you still get value from GAWDA membership by just sitting on the sidelines, but you will get more benefits by getting into the game and participating in volunteer opportunities. GAWDA belongs to its members. You have a responsibility to help in its operation. Sitting on the sidelines and complementing or complaining about the coaching is being a spectator, not a player. GAWDA needs more players.

I am appointing new committee chairs. The current chairs have done a great job in leading their committees during the past several years. However, in order to revitalize the committees, I feel it is necessary to wipe the slate clean. I will work with the new chairs to determine each committee’s agenda for 2010.

On What Committee Do You Want to Serve?

Government Affairs: To educate members and develop positions on regulations and legislation which impact the industry in coordination with affiliated organizations.

Safety: To promote safe practices, provide information leading to increased awareness of safety concepts, and liaison with affiliated organizations.

Management Information: To work with software companies to develop solutions that increase member productivity through the integration of technology and through initiatives such as standards, webinars, articles and training.

Industry Partnering: To provide a forum for suppliers and distributors dedicated to continual improvement of the industry and facilitate communication and understanding.

Human Resources: To enhance members’ business viability by providing timely, credible and functional information on human resource issues.

Membership: To develop programs to retain and recruit members by increasing membership value.

Young Executives: To develop educational and networking opportunities that will assist in the personal and professional growth of future association and industry leaders.

One of the misconceptions about GAWDA’s committees is that, other than the Industry Partnering Committee, they are for distributor members only. All GAWDA committees are open to supplier and distributor members.

10 Reasons to Become a
GAWDA Volunteer

• Learn from the best

• Share your knowledge

• Give back to the industry

• Get information first

• Grow as a professional

• Network

• Meet like-minded people

• Get advice

• Tackle issues

• Grow the industry

Another misconception is that serving on a committee is a huge investment in time and money. Wrong again. Most committee work is done by conference calls. Any face-to-face meetings are held in conjunction with either the Spring Management Conference or the Annual Convention.

We will be sending you a form to designate the committee on which you would like to serve. If you are already on a committee, you can designate that committee or volunteer for another one. The Committee Chairs will then be selecting their team members from the list of volunteers.

Some committees are selected by the President or the President-Elect as dictated by the Standing Rules. The President-Elect chooses the Planning Committees for the Spring Management Conference and the Annual Convention. The President appoints the Leadership Development Committee, which is responsible for developing the slate of officers. How do you get selected to serve on these committees? By being an active member of one of the other committees, thereby showing a desire to be involved.

Gases and Welding Distributors Association members make the decision to get off of the sidelines and into the game. The view is much better down on the field!