Hasn’t this spring just been perfect so far?  I hope everyone is taking advantage while they can of selling washes or selling equipment.  We have all seen the same economic difficulties, but weather seems to change people’s habits with their vehicles. 
My wife and I recently bought a new used vehicle.  What a change for the family – we now have room for all three kids!  Their swing radius doesn’t reach each other now.  I started thinking about the advantages of ownership.  I get to decide if it stays clean or not, I get to decide if maintenance is preventative or emergency based, I get to decide if I want that scratch buffed out or not.  Well – your association has gone through a similar scenario recently.  We have decided that the advantages of ownership outweigh the disadvantages.  After many meetings and lots of discussion, we have come together to define the association differently than what it has been for the last several years.  This is going to be a significant change, and as a Board, we have all dedicated our time and efforts to make this work.
Our new direction is also a new beginning.  We have split with our long-time executive director.  We are going to now be an all volunteer association.  This gives us many advantages – and probably many that we haven’t thought about.  Here is my time to recruit – I am sure someone reading this is saying “this sounds exciting!” If you feel that this “new” association is something you would like to be a part of – please contact one of the current board members. 
This was not a short sighted or a quick decision.  We have looked to our past and have decided that some things needed improving to continue to be a viable association.  We have also looked to our past and found that some things have been a success.  What is our goal?  - To provide a value and be a support to the carwash community.
What is in the pipeline?  We are looking at our trade show to determine how this will look in the future.  Will we alternate table top with a full blown trade show?  What kinds of educational forums will benefit the membership?  How does this happen?  The golf outing has seen a decline in participation – do we continue this?  You can see that there are lots of decisions to be made.  I would welcome any thoughts from the membership on any and all of this.
Your Board has put in countless hours getting to this point.  I have never seen a group of guys with so much passion and energy.  I feel confident that we will be able to make you proud of the “new” association.  There is still so much work to be done.  Please feel free to let your input be heard.  That is the only way that your Board run association will work.  We need you and your ideas/suggestions.
Thank you for your support and patience during this transition. 

We look forward to serving you in the future.
Mark Nash
President – MCA