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There is an issue to be addressed as the WTA kicks off – who do we want in the Association?
In the very early discussions on the WTA, I mooted that the Association should be solely for the independent repairers. Needless to say, I was shouted down by more moderate voices.
Given the vast spread of this industry, there are all sorts of people with an interest, from the sole trader repairer, through multi engineer businesses, to manufacturers, Parts wholesalers, insurers, work providers and even the retailers themselves.
We might even consider engineers who have hung up the spanners, but are still interested in the business after a lifetime.
Perhaps we could create an “Associate Member” category for those involved in the trade who are not neccessarily repairers?
I feel that this is an important issue and that we should address it at the earliest opportunity.
Chris.
Re: Membership.
Agreed Chris, lets be exclusively inclusive. By that I mean that an Associate can air a view or give an opinion, ask questions or give advice, and absolutely nothing else.
Jim.
Re: Membership.
iadom wrote:Agreed Chris, lets be exclusively inclusive. By that I mean that an Associate can air a view or give an opinion, ask questions or give advice, and absolutely nothing else.
Jim.
Thats about where I stand on it ,the whitegoods industry is a broad church ,with lots of different stances and views ,I like Jims Exclusively Inclusive quote ,kind of says it all .
LawrenceRe: Membership.
Penguin45 wrote:There is an issue to be addressed as the WTA kicks off – who do we want in the Association?
Chris,
From the very outset it has to be an open door to all just as much as UKW has shown as being open to all from the outset. Therefore the question should surely not be “who do we want in…” but “what do we want from the Association?”
Just have the door wide open for all, and if the association can provide interest enough? Then its ranks will swell I’m sure. More involvement equals more input, more input creates results.
In my book there is little point in ‘associate members’. That terminology was used way back and for the most part solely just to prop up funding and membership levels. Nevertheless there may be a time in the not too distant when the groundswell of interest requires associated membership. Right now the emphasis should lie in generating the hardcore. The hardcore being in this case service engineers and their managers that run this whole show from shopfloor level….the rest will follow in time I’m sure….! 😀
“Exclusively inclusive?”…….I must right that down…..christ knows what it means?….but probably a shorted version of my waffle I expect? 😉
Re: Membership.
What it means Martin, is welcome into my house, but keep your grubby hands off the woodwork. 😉
Jim.
Re: Membership.
Interesting.
Consider the agreed Mission Statement of the Association:
“Support the Independent Service Industry”
I struggle with the idea of of working with a top Neddy from, say Comet, on the Committee, no matter how well intended or altruistic his motives may be.
The key word is “Independent”. Non-independents are associated, but not independents – this is the key point with which I am struggling. If they are associated, let them be Associate Members – access to things that we’re up to, input welcome in open debate, all that – but decision making in an Association for independent repairers? Doesn’t cut it for me.
Chris.
Re: Membership.
The manufacturers and the sheds trading policies are part of the predicament that the TA was set up to change. Therefore you can’t really have a large vested interest involved with the decision making of the small individual retailer or repairer.
Associate member yes; decision or policy making – definitely No.Steve.
Re: Membership.
aqualectric wrote:The manufacturers and the sheds trading policies are part of the predicament that the TA was set up to change. Therefore you can’t really have a large vested interest involved with the decision making of the small individual retailer or repairer.
Associate member yes; decision or policy making – definitely No.Steve.
I totally agree !
Sorry Guy’s I thought I made myself clear in an earlier post. Associate membership yes. Voting rights for Associate members a definate no.
Sean
Re: Membership.
I think you’re right Lawrence, I do think that we have consensus indeed.
I would agree with the principal of inclusion and not exclusion as that, to me, exclusion just smacks of childish teddy ejecting type behaviour and I believe that we’re a lot more grown up than that. Asides from which there may well be issues that are common to both indies and national chains (or whomever), it seems eminently sensible to work with other organisations where it is appropriate and, very probably, advantageous to all.
Many voices are far more powerful than one, still more powerful where there is normally a disparity between the people all shouting in unison.
One example is the gas servicing issue, we’re not the only ones that have “issues” with it, trust me.
I would also agree that the WTA is an organisation of indies being run for the indies and by them. It should stay that way.
K.
Re: Membership.
Right I have been mulling this over since the September 2008 meeting. At that time it was very difficult to get any manufacturers to even consider coming to the meeting, the February meeting was much better with more manufacturers on board. It now would seem to be a good time to invite some of the manufacturers to become associate members. Could I suggest that as a first stage we throw a sprat to catch a mackerel and offer free membership for the first say year but indicating that we would require some monies in the second year. At this point in time I dont think that we should offer any voting rights if ever (as with DASA) but maybe having afew on board would be sensible. This would dilute the common cry that we don’t represent the industry, even though we are in the majority.
Now you can blow me out of the water 😀
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