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From keeping members up to date with government regulations and litigation,
to seeking effective leadership for the association, GAWDA's Committees
provide members with service and support in a variety of areas. Many committees
made great strides in 2006 and plan to continue to engage members in 2007.
Here's a look at what each committee is all about, what they do, and where
they are going.
Manage More Effectively with Information
The Management Information Committee provides information and feedback
on products, processes, hardware and software to help members manage their
businesses more effectively. In 2006, the committee partnered with vendors
in support of GAWDA's webinar educational series. After the Chicago SMC,
Chair Rick Smith thought the committee needed a change in its mission
and purpose. “I wanted to move from being strictly a technology committee
to one that was going to make technology a greater part of business.”
MI Committee members Stan Lefeld, Chris Dominiak and Dick Powell joined
Smith in forming a subcommittee that established the committee's new purpose
statement, “to become solution providers, not just technology experts.”
Smith says, “I don't care about new pieces of software coming out.
I care about how they can help run a business.” To continue this
trend in 2007, the committee will establish and update software technology
standards used to support the transmission of data movement between suppliers
and distributors, and will continue to educate members about new technologies
and how they can best be used. Smith hopes to have MI Committee members
present at regional meetings to extend knowledge support. “We want
to bring members to a comfort level so they can discuss technology with
their local vendors. Anytime you can bring another level of communication
to your business, you are much better off.”
Government Affairs Gets House in Order
The purpose of the Government Affairs Committee is to educate members
regarding the operation of government, free enterprise and the open market.
Says Chair Craig Wood, “We put government relations in terms that
members can understand, and help them see what they can do better.”
With the help of Consultants Rick Schweitzer, Esq., Michael Dodd and Bob
Yeoman, the committee informs members about legislation and is there to
help if they are faced with litigation. Wood reminds members that if they
are named in a suit, they should notify the committee as soon as possible
to get the guidance they need. Wood says staying on top of government
requirements and seeking the committee's help will be even more important
in 2007, as he expects an increase in government inspections. “Make
sure your house is in order,” he advises. “Get a mock audit
because it's better to get your house in order at our convenience, not
the FDA's.”
Staying Safe
The Safety Committee promotes safe practices and raises awareness
of safety concepts. Last year, the Safety Committee focused on getting
changes in government safety regulations, and Chair Bonnie Stanage reminds
members it's an ongoing process. “The committee is made up of a good
cross section of the industry and we do our best to provide guidance.”
In 2007, the committee's focus will be on security, alerting members to
changes by the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Transportation.
Stanage replaces long-term Chair Fred Schreckengost, who served as the
chair of the committee from 1999-2006.
Distributor-Manufacturer Partnership
The Industry Partnering Committee provides a proactive forum to
facilitate communication and understanding between manufacturer and distributor,
leading to improved profitability for both. “We raise the level of
dialogue between distributors and manufacturers pertaining to the association
and its business,” says Chair Mark Blakely. In 2007, Blakely says
the committee will work with President Bob Ames and his theme of partnership
and communication between distributors and suppliers.
Developing Leaders
Newly inaugurated GAWDA Presidents appoint eight committee members to
work with the First Past President, who serves as chair, on the Leadership
Development Committee. The committee seeks members for the positions
of GAWDA President, Zone Vice Presidents and Directors. “We look
for people to be on the committee who have the ability to visit a lot
of distributors,” Chair Whip Seaman says. Seaman quotes Colin Powell
in saying, “Good leaders just don't stand there, they do something!”
and in choosing candidates for GAWDA leadership positions, it is the work
members have done that the committee considers. “For presidents,
we look at members who have been a vice president, director, a regional
chair and sometimes a committee chair.” If they do a good job, zone
directors become potential candidates for zone vice president, and then
the executive committee. The committee meets twice a year to review potential
candidates.
We Want You!
The Membership Committee, composed of the President-Elect, Zone
Vice Presidents and Directors, and other volunteer members, recruits new
members and works to retain current members. Each zone director and vice
president is responsible for recruiting members in his or her zone. In
2006, with the help of GAWDA Membership Director Kate Cole, the committee
made new strides in recruitment, like this year's Member Get a Member
Campaign. The committee also calls members who are overdue in the payment
of dues. “We call and explain the benefits of GAWDA and why they
shouldn't resign,” Chair Gary Stoneback says. In the coming year,
the committee hopes to continue to grow association membership. “It's
well worth the time and effort,” Stoneback says. “Our membership
is the lifeblood of our association.”
Insurance Protection
The Insurance Trustees supervise and direct the Group Life Insurance
Program offered to employees of member companies. The objective of the
five insurance trustees, elected for five-year terms, is to investigate,
and, in some instances, improve benefit levels, maximize financial results
for the good of the participating companies, and encourage members to
join the program. Trustees work closely with GAWDA Group Life Insurance
Consultant Dave Irving. The program insures 120 GAWDA member companies
and over 5,500 employees.
People Are Our Best Asset
The Human Resources Committee provides timely, credible and functional
information to the membership on all appropriate Human Resource issues.
This forum is sustained by a group of committee members who are reflective
of the diversity within GAWDA.
It's About Education and Being Together
Each year, GAWDA's President, along with his Executive Committee, works
with a group of volunteers to plan the Spring Management Conference and
Annual Convention programs. The committee meets several times throughout
the year to review evaluations of past programs, interview potential presenters,
develop schedules, and visit the conference/convention site. The 2007
Spring Management Conference will be held on May 20-22 at Pointe South
Mountain Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. The 2007 Annual Convention will take
place September 15-19 at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco. Both
the Spring Management Conference Committee and the Annual Convention Committee
promise that these events will be full of information, networking and
fun. Plan to be there!
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