Obviously by now you know that this board is not taking their roles in this association lightly. In fact, I believe we are all acting and responding as we would within our own business. Some have asked, “What’s the cost?” The answer is sleepless nights and anxious days. Will the reality of our decisions plague us? Then I realized, we didn’t compromise our principles, we didn’t do the wrong thing. We have made tough, necessary changes recently, none of which were easy or taken lightly. That being said, I don’t believe we would be where we are today, financially and membership-wise, if it wasn’t for the strong leadership we have had from the past boards, presidents, staff, and especially Barbara Cook.Let me continue by thanking the membership for their support. NOMMA is undergoing some remodeling and I have heard many encouraging words from our association patrons.
In good times and in bad, change is constant. In our current economy, we could use an injection of positivity and in the July/August edition of Fabricator we announced, METALfab 2010 in Tulsa, and it promises to be a great educational opportunity. Comprehensive seminars, shop tours and the largest ornamental iron expo known to man, well at least this man. But, let me ask, “Why wait until March 2010?” NOMMA’s chapters are offering some great educational opportunities this fall, such as:
n The Upper Midwest Chapter is planning an event Saturday, October 3rd (10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.) at American Fabricator Supply in Elgin, IL.
n The Gulf Coast NOMMA Network is set for Saturday, October 17th at Wheeler’s Ornamental Metals in Dothan, AL, hosted by Henry and Vickie Wheeler, with an emphasis on forging.
n The Northeast Chapter is hosting a one-day CAD seminar September 24, 2009 in Saddlebrook, N.J. The class will cover the basics of 2D drawing and editing commands, and will show how to increase sales and streamline production using CAD. The instructor is Dave Filippi of FabCad Inc., who is an AutoDesk authorized developer. Each participant will receive a free, 30-day trial of the software.
n The next Florida Chapter meeting will be at Royal Iron Creations in West Palm Beach, FL on Saturday, November 14.
Your Board of Directors will be meeting this October in Tulsa. Soon after, you will see the minutes of that meeting posted to the NOMMA website. This Board of Directors wants this association to be transparent, getting you the information as fast as we can.
As I have written in my previous letters and would like you to remember, NOMMA is committed to our partnership and has a vested interest in the profitability of your shops.
I look forward to your continued comments. Your NOMMA board is listening.
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