ASA gathering resources to boost affiliate success

DALLAS — Automotive Service Association (ASA) affiliates are working together to pool the best — and worst — of their resources to benefit affiliates around the country.

During the morning affiliate assembly meeting during the ASA Spring Board meeting, the group prepared a list of wants to better communicate with current and recruit new members, including an affiliate toolbox like what state executive directors have at their disposal.

The toolbox would include, according to Mark Gurnsey, ASA-Colorado, who presented the idea, successful marketing programs, cause and charitable plans, fundraisers, educational topics and resources like trainer contacts and references and other management programs.

“The more information we get, the better off we are,” Gurnsey says.

Steve Kirk, ASA-Michigan, took the idea one step further, adding that the toolbox should include information on programs that did not work and why they were not successful.

Joel Baxter, ASA-Washington, says that each affiliate has its own needs and concerns, and a toolbox where all ideas could be centralized could help.

“None of these ideas is bad, but what we need to do is put them in one spot,” he says.

The ideas now are in the hands of ASA’s board of directors for review, as well as other suggestions to improve recruitment and retention. The affiliate assembly recommended that the board consider a rebate off dues for member actively attending events and a support reimbursement place for expansion, such as a set dollar figure for each new member recruited.

The affiliate assembly also recommended to the board that when there is a national recruiter in the area, the state affiliate and local chapter be contacted, as the local levels know the shops that should be ASA members.

During the board meeting, updates on these recommendations in addition to reports from the collision and mechanical divisions from the previous year, the Washington, D.C., office on current legislation and other ASA departments.

Wrapping up the meeting, Jerry Burns was installed as the new chairman of the ASA board, while Ron Nagy is the new chairman-elect and Darrell Amberson is the secretary/treasurer. Diane Rodenhouse was elected the fifth member of the executive committee.