Newlook
Member
Thanks to TGS, PTState and PWI for allowing information to be passed back and forth amongst the different boards. Without you the word drought and relief would not have been on the minds of the many different contractors that have reached out to offer their assistance! Again, I thank Beth, Bob, Ron and Russ.
History
A few weeks back I took note of repeated posts by Scott K that water restrictions was a very real possibility and that it could have a significant impact not only on his ability to work but also many other contractors in that region.
The seriousness of it was inadvertently overlooked by all in the industry due to the fact that "we as an industry" do not have a infrastructure in place that is established to not only address whats going on down South but more importantly what "may" go on in the future. In this particular situation, some contractors attempted to look at the PWNA and ask "how come this is happening and why aren't you helping?".
We as an industry are quick to address what is not working and slow to bring ALL of our talent to the table to fix what is wrong. This is not anyones fault, it is the personality of our industry today!
The drought for me was a springboard for me to step up and TRY to offer something to the many contractors that ulitmately may be experiencing a serious operation issue in the upcoming months. After many discussions with people down south and talking to other people in the industry I wanted to help.
This is where I am at with this today!
Folks have contacted me and asked if this will be an organization. The answer is no it will not be. I want to give the people that are spearheading the new organization discussion all the latitude and support I can offer. I don't know how the new org will work or what it's structure will turn out to be but I am hopeful that it does land on it's feet. That is one of the reasons I am attending the RT in PA this week.
So the short story is that myself and a couple more people came up with this idea to try to help.
Relief Fund
The name relief fund will most likely be changed to something a little bit less dramatic. I used those words in my posting of information because that is the first thing that came to my mind when this idea was born.
An account will be set up and whoever wants to donate to it can. The receipients of the account can be anybody in the industry - PWNA members included!!
I will be approaching Joe Walters to see whether or not he can step up and keep an eye on the account for us. I have not contacted him yet but hope he can offer that service to us. The responsibility of this person would to make sure that at the end of the day the money is where it is suppose to be.
The fund/money account is only a part of the assistance that we will be offering to contractors.
The other intent with the drought is to provide email letter writing campaigns to officials so that our voice is heard and not over looked. An example of this is the listing of the government officials for the State of GA on all 3 BBS's. More states will follow I am sure in the near future. Please take a moment and email those in the state of GA to show your support and concern of your fellow pressure washer in the affected areas.
One impressive approach that I saw over the last week or so was that Celeste from Carolina Pro-Wash actually went down to City Hall in the community that she lives in and spoke to the officials face-to-face. She educated and explained to them that turning off water would be a bad thing. She convinced them and to this day it is my understanding that she is washing. I bring her up because this is the type of involvement that I would hope that we as an industy can do. One email from you can make a difference.
Trust is a concern in this industry and what we are doing is no exception. I expected going into this that there would be legitimate questions surrounding our intent and motive. I understand that.
I am not asking anyone to trust what we are doing but I am asking the industry to allow the intent of what this was earmarked for to continue to move forward.
I will speak more on the interworking of the fund committee once some of the key components are in place.
As always, I am available anytime, please feel free to call.
History
A few weeks back I took note of repeated posts by Scott K that water restrictions was a very real possibility and that it could have a significant impact not only on his ability to work but also many other contractors in that region.
The seriousness of it was inadvertently overlooked by all in the industry due to the fact that "we as an industry" do not have a infrastructure in place that is established to not only address whats going on down South but more importantly what "may" go on in the future. In this particular situation, some contractors attempted to look at the PWNA and ask "how come this is happening and why aren't you helping?".
We as an industry are quick to address what is not working and slow to bring ALL of our talent to the table to fix what is wrong. This is not anyones fault, it is the personality of our industry today!
The drought for me was a springboard for me to step up and TRY to offer something to the many contractors that ulitmately may be experiencing a serious operation issue in the upcoming months. After many discussions with people down south and talking to other people in the industry I wanted to help.
This is where I am at with this today!
Folks have contacted me and asked if this will be an organization. The answer is no it will not be. I want to give the people that are spearheading the new organization discussion all the latitude and support I can offer. I don't know how the new org will work or what it's structure will turn out to be but I am hopeful that it does land on it's feet. That is one of the reasons I am attending the RT in PA this week.
So the short story is that myself and a couple more people came up with this idea to try to help.
Relief Fund
The name relief fund will most likely be changed to something a little bit less dramatic. I used those words in my posting of information because that is the first thing that came to my mind when this idea was born.
An account will be set up and whoever wants to donate to it can. The receipients of the account can be anybody in the industry - PWNA members included!!
I will be approaching Joe Walters to see whether or not he can step up and keep an eye on the account for us. I have not contacted him yet but hope he can offer that service to us. The responsibility of this person would to make sure that at the end of the day the money is where it is suppose to be.
The fund/money account is only a part of the assistance that we will be offering to contractors.
The other intent with the drought is to provide email letter writing campaigns to officials so that our voice is heard and not over looked. An example of this is the listing of the government officials for the State of GA on all 3 BBS's. More states will follow I am sure in the near future. Please take a moment and email those in the state of GA to show your support and concern of your fellow pressure washer in the affected areas.
One impressive approach that I saw over the last week or so was that Celeste from Carolina Pro-Wash actually went down to City Hall in the community that she lives in and spoke to the officials face-to-face. She educated and explained to them that turning off water would be a bad thing. She convinced them and to this day it is my understanding that she is washing. I bring her up because this is the type of involvement that I would hope that we as an industy can do. One email from you can make a difference.
Trust is a concern in this industry and what we are doing is no exception. I expected going into this that there would be legitimate questions surrounding our intent and motive. I understand that.
I am not asking anyone to trust what we are doing but I am asking the industry to allow the intent of what this was earmarked for to continue to move forward.
I will speak more on the interworking of the fund committee once some of the key components are in place.
As always, I am available anytime, please feel free to call.
