If you are reading this, you are most likely a collision or mechanical shop owner or manager - most AutoInc. readers and ASA members are. This association is all about you and your business. The first page in all ASA board of directors, Mechanical and Collision Operations meeting material states: "Remember - Members are the only thing this association has. Every decision must reflect that membership awareness/benefit." Article II, section 1 of ASA's bylaws states ASA's objectives as follows:

1.1 To promote the common business interests of those engaged in the automotive service industry.

1.2 To consider and deal by all lawful means with the common problems of management involved in all functions of the automotive service industry: to foster cooperative action by advancing by all lawful means the common business purposes of its members, and to promote activities designed to enable the industry to be conducted with the greatest economy and efficiency.

1.3 To afford due consideration to - and expression of - opinion upon questions affecting the industry and the nation, and to promote the common interests of the industry.

1.4 To cooperate with other industries and organizations.

The ASA board and members of the Government Affairs, Mechanical and Collision Operations committees are all volunteer shop owners and managers just like you. They dedicate a substantial amount of time each year to better our industry and provide ASA members with the highest quality benefits available. With input from the board and various committees, our president, Ron Pyle, directs our staff in Bedford, Texas, and Washington, D.C., on how to best accomplish those goals as stated in our bylaws.

Our volunteer leaders must be in touch with the heartbeat and needs of the industry, you and your business. This is accomplished in many ways, including reading industry trade magazines, newsletters and publications, attending industry events and meetings, and spending time on the Web in the many technical, news and management forums.

The Web has certainly strengthened communication in our industries. It's not uncommon to see a particular subject elicit dozens of responses in just a few days. This information from you, our participating members, is extremely valuable in guiding our association for your benefit. Your participation in the annual "How's Your Business?" survey is another important tool to receive information on you and your business needs.

Certainly one of the best ways to communicate with our volunteer leaders is direct communication. Attend NACE and CARS, come to the Celebration of Excellence during Industry Week in Las Vegas, attend AMI classes and participate in functions at the state level if your area has an ASA affiliate group or chapter.

Let us know what we can do to help you and your business. If you haven't loaded ASA OnDemand onto your computer, I highly recommend you do it now. All the information you need was published in last month's AutoInc. and you'll find a Post-It Note on page 1 of this issue with the Web address you need to download the software.

I have been using ASA OnDemand and it's fantastic. It replaces the printed membership handbook and features a membership directory, comprehensive benefits portfolio, general ASA information and an expanding resource library. ASA OnDemand places an ASA icon on your desktop for instant access. It's never been so easy to find a member or member shop. It also allows you to search by first or last name, city or state. Also, you will find listings for the board of directors and all committee members. ASA has created this product to make it as convenient as possible for our members to communicate with each other.

To accomplish the objectives stated in our bylaws and provide you the greatest benefit, we need your valuable input. Remember, it's all about you, our member.

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