<font color=blue>INDUSTRY BUZZ</font> Step Up, Stand Out, Volunteer

Though September is not the end of the calendar year, it is the end of the RISE year because it has been a year since our members, board and staff were last together to agree on strategy, budgets and new programs. The annual meeting, which was held in September, is the time when committees, and other working-groups are re-energized and the terms of volunteer officers begin, or conclude.

At RISE, we have been blessed with active, talented, enthusiastic, and engaged volunteer leaders. Although a small staff organization, we are often thought to be larger than we are thanks to the hard work and dedication of the many volunteer leaders from our member companies. I cannot say enough to recognize and thank all those volunteers from our member companies who are willing to work together with others from the industry to defend and improve the overall business environment.

I take this opportunity to mention leadership because the fact that you are reading this column in Lawn & Landscape indicates that you really care about the health and future of our industry. If so, I hope you are already in a leadership role in your local, state, regional or national trade/professional associations to defend, and improve our green industries.  If you are not already actively participating, and leading, I hope you will step up and encourage both your co-workers and competitors to join you. Our industry and its future are only as strong as you, our volunteer leaders make it.

A favorite topic for staff and committee presentations at annual meetings is reporting results from the past year. For a government issues manager, and the committees I work with, reporting successes can be frustrating. In your business success is relatively easy to define: Did we grow this year? Were we profitable? How profitable? As part of an industry that is closely regulated, success in legislative and regulatory advocacy is not so easily defined.  Sometimes it comes down to: if no really bad legislation or regulation passed this year, we were successful.  Not the kind of measurement most business managers are comfortable with. The following story might help illustrate how difficult it can be to understand if the efforts of your association staff and volunteers to manage government relations have been truly successful:

In the kingdom of Wee, thousands of years ago, there was a famous medical doctor named Punjak. Punjak had two brothers who were also medical doctors. One day the Emperor asked Punjak, “who is the best doctor: you or your brothers?” Punjak replied, “My oldest brother is best, then my middle brother, then me.” Puzzled, the emperor asked, “Why do the people say you are the best doctor?” Punjak humbly answered, “My oldest brother is so good at diagnosing illness that he can diagnose and cure diseases even before the patients feel any symptoms. Therefore few know of his excellent skills. My second brother is also very good, although not as good as my brother. He can cure disease before it threatens the patient’s life. Therefore, people usually are not much thankful to my second brother either. However, I can only begin to cure disease after the patient is very ill because I am an average doctor. So people understand that I heal their serious illness, and they respect me. This is why people consider me the best doctor in the country.”

The best government relations efforts of associations and their volunteers often work like Punjak’s two older brothers, few know the good work they have done. Many of you have the privilege or opportunity to belong to, and volunteer with local, state and national associations who serve our industry much like the first two doctors served their patients. I see these associations again and again in your cities, states and at your national meetings. It is my privilege to work with them and consider them friends and allies.  It is only occasionally that legislation and regulation managed by your associations reach the stage that you can clearly see or feel victory—but your associations and volunteers are there every day of the year, working to defend, educate, and build the future of our industries.

I hope every one of you will take time to thank the staff and volunteers of the associations who represent your green industry segments. More importantly, make time to “Step Up, Stand Out, and Volunteer” in one or more of your industry associations. Don’t expect it to be easy to measure results, remember, the goal is to be like one of the older brothers whenever possible. You will know that you have done the right thing, and that your efforts will make a difference in your city, state and nationally.

Lastly, support your industry associations by fully participating in committee work and in their annual meeting or trade show. You will meet great people, and have a chance to show your appreciation for your staff and volunteer leadership. And, I will take this opportunity to thank RISE President, Allen James, our Board of Directors and all of our member volunteers for the privilege of working with them to keep our industry healthy.

Frank Gasperini is director of state affairs for RISE® (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment). Contact him at fgasperini@pestfacts.org. RISE is the national trade association representing manufacturers, formulators, distributors andother industry leaders involved with specialty pesticide and fertilizer products.