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What is the purpose of the Electrical Rebuilder's Association?
The purpose of the Electrical Rebuilder's Association is to promote the well being and professionalism of the electrical rebuilding industry in North America through education and training. This is accomplished using several programs, including this website, the technical education program and the annual trade show. In addition, the association promotes the public awareness and professional image of the industry. When and how was the association formed?
Members of the North American auto electric industry had talked about forming an association to specifically serve their needs for many years. On several occasions attempts were even made to get an association started, but the required interest and support was just not present. In the fall of 2001 the Electrical Rebuilder's Association was founded by Polly Shea, Electrical Rebuilder's Exchange publisher, as a part of her business. This was done under the guidance of the newspaper's Advisory Board. The immediate response from the industry exceeded expectations, and within a year membership was close to 300 members. In January of 2003, Mike Schroeder, a rebuilder from Union, Missouri, wrote a draft set of bylaws and proposed the association become a non-profit. At the same time, Polly Shea added four more rebuilders to her advisory board, which up to that time had been dominated by supplier representatives. At a meeting in Kansas City in March of 2003, the bylaws were discussed, modified and approved by the newspaper's advisory board, and the primary officers were chosen to get the non-profit association started. On June 1, 2003, Polly Shea passed the organization she founded over to the new officers. What makes a non-profit association different?
Non-profit associations are tax exempt, which means 100% of the dues are available to run the association and provide services for the members. Non-profits are chartered by the states in which they reside. The Electrical Rebuilder's Association was chartered by the State of Missouri on March 13, 2003.
Who runs the association?
The Board of Advisors, made up of both rebuilder and supplier representatives, is the legislative body that oversees the association. The 12-member Board of Directors, who run the day to day operation of the association, answer to the Board of Advisors. Each of the seven geographical regions has a vice-president who represents the members of their respective area on the Board of Directors. The 5-member Executive Board, President, First and Second, Vice Presidents, Treasurer and Secretary make up the remainder of the Board of Directors. Why does the association seem to have so many officers and who is really in charge?
Running the association and all the programs consumes a lot of time. The association is structured so the daily tasks and the volunteer time required to get them done can be divided among many people. Most of these people are association officers or committee members. Who picks the officers? Who is getting paid?
The Board of Advisors has the power to recommend, approve or reject any officer. The association is always looking for members who are willing to make the commitment to serve as an officer or committee member. None of the officers are paid for their time. In fact, it is written into the association association by-laws that officers are responsible for their own expenses. A part time office manager has been contracted to maintain membership records day-to-day tasks. Where do the dues go and can members see a financial report?
The dues are spent on providing services to the members. Each member receives a paid subscription to the Electrical Rebuilder's Exchange, paid admission to the annual trade show, and reduced admission to seminars and technical education events put on by the association. An administrative office that is staffed with a part-time office manager was opened in March of 2004. The webmaster was changed from volunteer to a contract job in the fall of 2005, because of the large number of hours required each month to maintain the website. Previously, all association business was conducted out of the officer's homes and businesses. Any member may request a copy of the current financial statement. How is the association affiliated with the Electrical Rebuilder's Exchange newspaper?
The association was founded by Polly Shea, owner of the Electrical Rebuilder's Exchange newspaper. Since the newspaper has served our industry for more than 20 years, the association has decided to continue to work closely with it. Although the association has no ownership stake in the newspaper, it is utilized to keep the industry informed of association news and events. Who runs the trade show, and how is the association involved?
The E+ Trade Show was started by Ralph Albares, founder of the Electrical Rebuilder's Exchange, in 1987. The annual show has grown and evolved under the guidance of Polly Shea, the current owner of the newspaper. After the association was founded, the name of the show was changed from "E+" to "ERA". The non-profit association has no reason to make any changes to this successful event. It is operated by the newspaper in full cooperation with the association. |
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