Associations deserve and need your involvement
By Michael Knell, Canadian correspondent -- Furniture Today, January 6, 2002
There's a new spirit of cooperation among Canada's three factory associations. If anything, Furniture/Today's survey of Canadian manufacturers, reported elsewhere in this issue, proves the groups will earn widespread support in their efforts to work together. They are on the right track.
This doesn't mean the regional associations have been doing anything other than a stellar job. The Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Assn. has been front and center in many of these initiatives and is taking a leadership position not seen for many years. One example of this has been the QFMA's commitment to the revitalization of the Trillium Awards program, the evidence of which will be seen in the coming months.
Moves are afoot on other fronts as well, and I'm relishing the thought of reporting on these developments as they unfold. I'm confident the industry will be well served by them.
I've never made any secret of my support for a single national industry association. I believe it should encompass every stakeholder in the industry — factories, reps, retailers and others directly involved. Recently, I've come to the conclusion that it probably will never exist, but if the new spirit of cooperation between the QFMA, the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn. and Furniture West continues, it may not be necessary.
It may be necessary to re-establish the Canadian Council of Furniture Manufacturers' secretariat in Ottawa. The need for a permanent national voice will become greater as the world's economy becomes more intertwined. Greater international cooperation on a variety of issues — security, the environment, tariffs and a range of trade issues, among others — will affect our industry in as yet unseen ways. We have to get ready.
The industry wants to come together. This much is clear. What also is clear is that people must get involved in the associations. The best way to effect change, to ensure the associations are doing the things they should be doing, is to get involved.
I'm a member of Rotary, and in our club we have a lot of "knife and forkers," people who show up for meetings and enjoy the meal, but are nowhere to be found when it comes down to doing the work. Frankly, we have too many knife and forkers in our industry.
We all have a stake in this industry's future. If that future is to be bright, we have to get involved. We have to give our time and talent not only to the companies that employ us but the industry as a whole. Everyone benefits when everyone works together.
I'm delighted to report that process has begun. Perhaps it will encourage more people to get involved.
Meanwhile, let me take this opportunity to wish each of you a joyous and prosperous New Year. Bonne Année!
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