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President Michael Fleming: “Since the last dues adjustment in 1992, the
profile of the industry has changed considerably, primarily through
industry consolidation. The dues schedule should be amended to accomplish
the goal of all members paying at a dues level that at a minimum covers
costs. Please remember that ELA is positioned to be
the association for every company that makes a difference in the industry.
There are basically two types of companies that make a difference every
day. The largest group is made up of organizations, large and small,
that actively participate in ELA. 1. They support advocacy efforts with their
participation and / or financial resources. 2. They respond to surveys and questionnaires.
3. They serve on volunteer bodies. 4. They are presenters - and they do many other
things that keep the association going. from
their ELT Thursday Newsletter “These recommendations also include adjusting
the association's dues schedule, which had remained unchanged for a
decade, and no longer reflected the realities of the leasing industry,
and of the economic situation those realities dictate. The task force
recommended that the financial resources to support this value-based
position should be based on fair share. That is, all member organizations
pay their proportionate fair share of the cost of ELA programs, whether
supported by dues or by elective registration/user fees. “The fact is that industry consolidation has
left far fewer of the large ELA members that contribute the bulk of
the dues, while the basic cost of maintaining the smallest ELA membership
is now calculated to be about $2,200, much more than the present minimum
annual dues. Without a dues schedule adjustment, this situation is untenable
for ELA over the long term. Basically there are no more $1200 “under $10
million” dollars a year in sales. The “minimum is now $2200 per year (plus
an application fee for new members. Last year, it was $400).. Over
$500 million there is some adjustment and the top maximum under the
formula is $33,000 in dues. There is a new “Transitioning Individual Member
Flat fee of $600, maximum of 12 months.” “New category of membership -Transitioning Individual.
A person is eligible to be an Individual Member if: * she/he was, but is not presently, an employee
of a regular ELA member company. * the application has to be made within two
months after concluding active employment in a regular member company. * the membership is for a maximum of twelve months, costs $600 and carry no voting rights.” “ELA is preparing for what we all hope will
be a very good year, a turn-around year for the industry. In 2003, ELA will sharpen its focus to programs
you have said are the most important to a successful company and successful
industry. A year ago, an ELA
Positioning Task Force was asked by the board to study the industry,
the association and come to conclusions about what the positioning of
ELA should be, the common purposes that unite us and what we must work
for. Your ELA Board has adopted its recommendations to make ELA a more
valuable association to its members.
“What your Board has done in effect is clarify
and define who ELA is, how members can most effectively get value from
this position and how members can achieve the common purposes that are
articulated in the newly developed positioning of ELA. “Members are clearly saying they value four
things from ELA: * Advocacy - A spokesperson to represent the
industry with government and standards bodies on matters critical to
product development and the conduct of business. * Industry Knowledge - Gather, store, analyze,
provide and share knowledge related to industry performance, best practices,
financial accounting and legal compliance and market strategies. * Business Development - Develop and sustain
business relationships and new business opportunities. * Access to Capital - An informed and supportive investment community and access
to various funding alternatives.” Michael Henderson Director, Membership & Marketing Equipment Leasing Association 4301 N. Fairfax Drive, Ste. 550 Arlington, VA 22203 (Leasing News will present information from
the panel on the direction of the major leasing industry association, its
direction, and view for 2003.Editor) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ##### ################################################### |
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