Do we really need a Organization ? (poll)

[onecallpowerw]

Hey Clean....

I do not want to give that information as I am not party to the actual conversations. I am getting this info from a very good source. I can only say that I will not hesitate in joining and will offer to volunteer at any level once this comes to be.

At this time I prefer to stay out of the back in forth on information until it is officially announced. Again, this is still being worked on and a time frame has not even been discussed.

 

[onecallpowerw]

Hey Dan S......

email me with your email address again. I have lost it due to computer crash and purchase of new computers...

Thanks in advance.

 

[Clean County]

Onecall

OK fair enough. I believe I know the guy that gave you this info. Next time you talk to him ask him if him and I ever spoke. If he says no I'd be willing to bet that this guy spoke to another person who ended up speaking to me.

Anyway I guess will have to come back to this thread down the road to see if the new org. ever came to fruition since I hear this conversation every year but I never see it happening.

Here's one that I believe sprung up this year. Maybe you heard of them??

http://www.internationalclnrs.com/ICAJoin2FAQ.htm

 

[Dan S]

Gord,

I lost a ton of info. as well as your address from a puter crash

anyways here is mine

smwash@pennswoods.net

 

[jeepfantj]

Although i voted yes, we know we don't NEED an org,but, most people can use the collective intelligence from the other members to use to help there own business succeed. Everyone needs a little help sometimes and there is no one who has all correct answers for every question and an org such as this one can help others to make correct decisions based on the majority of others opinions. Kind of the way we based our society on,yes? It is a great tool of resources.
First post and do thank all for your opinions as I have used them in the past to help with my decisions.

 

[larryh]

Pwna

“Power Washers of North Americaâ€￾

This speaks volumes without mentioning any names. Consider, if you will, the implications of belonging to such a dedicated group of professionals. We come from many different walks of life, but we have a common thread we are all associated with power washing. An association such as the PWNA offers us an opportunity to share our experiences and learn from the mistakes of others without paying the often costly price of those errors. Conventions such as the one being hosted by the PWNA during the period of March 16-19 in Columbus, OH offers us the perfect forum through which we can share these experiences. The Board of Directors of the PWNA has put together a program through which we can all learn something of benefit to our companies. Many of the Associate Members will have booths set up through which they will exhibit their products and services. There will be something for everyone to enjoy.

If you aren’t a member, or haven’t yet made plans to attend it isn’t too late to make arrangements. I was lucky enough to sit in on the very first board meeting as an observer, It Was Awesome to watch people of such drive and foresight put together such a far reaching plan. One attendee of this meeting, a contractor with 6 employees now has more than 500 employees. He will be there because he understands the value of the networking at these functions. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to gain from your association with this organization. Contact the PWNA through the link to their web site http://pwna.org/ or call 800-393-7962.

Thank You for Your Time


Larry Hinckley

 

[onecallpowerw]

Pwna...

Looks like PWNA had one of thier teleconferance meetings. WOW, how all of a sudden we get these isn't it........lol

Good try though.......

 

[BrianD]

I am new to the board and new to the business, but not new to trade associations. Having worked for several trade associations, I firmly believe that they exist to serve their members in whatever capacity is needed. That being said, I am not so sure that PWNA serves that mission. I have spoken to many PWNA members and none could state specifically and quantifiably how the organization benefited them.

My thoughts on what the PWNA show provide to us (in order of importance):
1. Create a national association that follows industry trends and understands challenges that we face in succeeding in our businesses
2. Keep us informed of legislative issues and regulatory happening that affect our businesses
3. Coordinate a common voice to appropriately influence legislative and regulatory decisions
4. Lobby on behalf of members
5. Keep members informed of new and emerging technologies
6. Publicly promote industry standards to educate the marketplace about industry standards and practices

From all of my conversations with members, the organization provides none of those services. If they do, nobody could articulate any of them. I do believe that the organization, through its annual convention does keep us informed of emerging technologies, but those seem like things we would learn anyways from our suppliers. The only benefit that could be explained was the opportunity to network with others in the trade and the potential for getting business through a listing on the PWNA website. This industry seems to have a fairly tight-knit community that has found ways to provide themselves with those services (i.e. – BBS services, roundtables, and one-on-one assistance, etc…).

Having not been a member of the PWNA, I cannot speak from experience, but it does not seem that the PWNA would provide me with anything I could not get on my own. If the PWNA does, in fact, serve these needs, it is not doing a very good job of promoting that service to the member base. If it is not serving those needs, I do not see a reason for joining. If I am wrong, I would like to understand how. So, any other thoughts are welcome.

Regards……Brian

 

[Mathew Johnson]

Brian... I can answer items 1-6.. Call me 607-286-7457

 

[Henry Bockman]

Hey Mike,

Actually the PWNA does all of the things you mentioned and quite a bit more. I'm not the most articulate person so I won't go into details on it all but keep an eye on the PWNA announcement area, I'm sure someone will list all of the things the PWNA has accomplished in just the last year or so and what they are planning on doing in 2005.
I can tell you that this convention had over 140 people attend and I was told quite a few times how outstanding it was for those that attended.
If anyone on here went, what did you think?

 

[Dan S]

Mathew, If you can answer questions 1-6 post them here . why make him call `ya?
Im sure we would all like to hear it.

 

[BrianD]

All,

I am thankful that Matt asked me to call him rather than just posting his response on the site. I did call Matt today and got some very candid answers. I will support an organization that is moving in what I feel to be the correct direction, even if they are not there yet. I felt that my post would bring some of you out of the woodwork who have some insight on where the organization is going.

Matt went to the convention and provided me with feedback on what he saw and on conversations he had with individuals at the convention. So, I would like to publicly say thanks for volunteering yourself to answer my questions and for sharing quite a bit about your business.

FYI - Those of you who hide behind the message boards are missing out!

Thanks again.........Brian

 

[oneness]

What, precisely, are we missing out on?

Why is it called "hiding behind the bulletin boards"?? Simply because I choose to network with people on a board, rather than an organization, I'm "hiding"???

 

[CaroliProWash]

Mike, I don't think he was referring to not being a member of an organization but rather than picking up the phone. It's amazing the difference you find in folks when you can actually speak to someone as opposed to trying to read emotion in print......you and I have actually gone our rounds before and yes, worked things out in print ('cause we're just good that way) but I have had to phone others and get "educated" or "educate" someone else on what our issue was or wasn't.

Celeste

PS - bummer about not shooting the breeze anymore, huh?

 

[Don Phelps]

PS - bummer about not shooting the breeze anymore, huh?

Unfortunately, 95% of the folks there have no idea just how deep it is. This current thing is just some frustration coming to the surface for someone that is very compromised and trying to fight back. The story is sooooo much larger than any of this 'breeze' nonsense.

 

[oneness]

PS - bummer about not shooting the breeze anymore, huh?

Just totally stupidly ridiculous....Several times last night I had to hold back sending something really nasty that would likely have caused me to be removed.

"If you don't have a question about pressure washing, and you're not going to place an order, just shut the hell up and go away!"

 

[BrianD]

Mike,

I didn't respond to your previous post because I found it to be quite a bit defensive and didn't think that it warranted a response. No offense was intended. I did not, in any way, elude to the fact that membership in a trade organization was required to effectively network with other members.

What did my comment about hiding behind the bulletin board mean then? I was simply commenting on the value of speaking, in person, with some of the generous people on this board who offer their personal time and expertise to those of us who are new to the business. I have spent countless hours doing research on this board to increase my knowledge and to gain insight on some of the pitfalls that exist in this business. I have seen many postings by people who have declined offers for personal communications and many postings by people requesting communication through the board only.

Again, there is much more insight to be gained through that personal interaction. I have definitely benefited by the generosity of the experienced members of this board who have extended a helping hand. To those who have offered their time in the form of a phone conversation, invite to a roundtable, or an invite to work with them, I cannot thank you enough.

My thoughts and confusion about the value of the PWNA were never intended to be mixed in with my commentary on the value of communicating with those who offer their assistance.

If offense was taken to my comment, I apologize to all.

Cheers.........Brian

 

[Henry Bockman]

I'm not sure what Don is referring to but it's probably my fault because I haven't been spending as much time on the boards lately. If anyone has any questions about the PWNA, most types of power washing, gutter cleaning, gutter repairs, gutter installations, gutter guard instellations, roof repairs or nuisance wildlife trapping I would be happy to discuss it on the phone. I like this board and quite a few others that I've visited in the past but I just don't want to spend hours typing away and re-phrasing things to avoid misinterpetations.
You don't have to join any org to be successful but it does help to get there a bit easier.
Being a member of an org won't stop your business from failing bit it can help.

I did want to let you know that the PWNA BOD is working on quite a few things to enhance membership and the org itself.

Join PWNA or not, it's completly up to you but it sure works well for me and many others I know.

Henry 240 274 0300

 

[oneness]

I'm not sure what Don is referring to but it's probably my fault because I haven't been spending as much time on the boards lately.

No, not your fault..It was a response to something Celeste said about something the three of us are in on, but has nothing to do with PWN or the PWNA.

 

[squirtgun]

I did want to let you know that the PWNA BOD is working on quite a few things to enhance membership and the org itself.

Henry,
Not trying to bash you so please take this with an open mind.The first thing the BOD can work on is their attitude toward those whom are not members.I shouldn't have to name any names but there a couple on the BOD that have made it clear in the past they have no time to help or answer questions from non members(the very thing they should be doing to help recruit new members).I understand the BOD is big on how the general population views the PWNA but the few I am referring to,do the Org a large disservice with their attitudes.