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From the Editors Laptop...
It seems appropriate that our May newsletter should
be about membership, actually, to put it more
appropriately, the importance of membership in this
association. The events of the last few weeks should
make that very clear to you.
Every week a dozen or so news articles come across
my desk blasting the dry cleaning industry for
our "poor" environmental ethic. These come from
newspapers and websites across the U.S., Europe
and Australia. We've all seen them, filled with
inaccurate and untrue reports, like "even entering a dry
cleaning establishment will put your health at risk"
or "PERC, a known carcinogen" and "a health hazard
for those who work at dry cleaning facilities". I think
the one I see most is "EPA lists PERC as a probable
carcinogen".
In the last week I have seen two articles, one from
New York and one from California actually trying to link
the Virginia Tech shootings to dry cleaning solvent.
The one constant in these articles is that not one of
the authors will document their claims. Sure, they will
quote so-and-so at such-and-such agency, and we all
know anyone can have an
opinion, but they will never offer any form of proof or
documentation for their claims. They can't, because
as we all know, it doesn't exist.
In a recent editorial in
Willamette Week, Portland's tabloid paper known
for
manipulating facts to suit their whim, author Paige
Richmond writes an incredibly bad editorial on dry
cleaning. Click the link to read it. In it she quotes
Brendan Finn, Portland City Commissioner Dan
Saltzman's chief of staff, stating "PERC hasn't really
gotten onto the radar of the legislature". Mr. Finn is
either extremely ignorant of the current regulations or
worse yet, he isn't.
 As I
write this, there is a memo being circulated
among Portland City and Multnomah County
employees entitled "UN-PERC Your Clothes".
That's right , Portland, the "City that
Works" is urging people not to do business with us or
to do so sparingly.
ODCA President Scott McClure did a little research
and sure enough, the trail led right back to Mr.
Saltzman's office. This is the same Commissioner
Dan Saltzman who, in December of 1999, in front of
400 witnesses
and TV cameras presented me with the Mayor's Spirit
of Portland Award and the National Waste Prevention
Coalition's Model Cleaners Award. In his
presentation he proclaimed that I was ". . . a shining
example of an environmentally responsible
business". Yes, that would be me, a PERC dry
cleaner.
Scott, working with President Moon of
the Korean American Dry Cleaners Association, is
trying to
obtain an appointment with the commissioner to
share the association's concerns with his office and
its
policy. He had not received a response by the
deadline of this newsletter.
Scott will give us a detailed report on this in his
column next month. We are grateful to member Joe
Chandler for bringing this document to the attention of
the ODCA.
I said at the beginning of this article that this issue
was
about membership. I think the articles submitted
reflect that quite well. What ODCA does for its
membership and the industry and what the
membership does for
ODCA. Consider the
important work we do and if you haven't renewed your
membership for 2007, please do so today. If you
haven't yet
joined, I invite you to do so now. Just click on any of
the
Membership Links.
Note, Kathey Butters took a break from the newsletter
this month but will return with the final chapter in her
series on "NCA's Brainstorming With The Best" next
month. Until then, may you each remain solvent.
Brian Olson CED, Director, District 1 - Newsletter Editor
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Quick Quote |
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"I know if I have a question or an unusual
problem
there are a lot of dry cleaners out there that
I've met
who will talk to me and help out if they can. If
they
don't have the answer, they can tell me
where to find it.
It's the PEOPLE!" . . .
. . . Karen Shinabery, Astoria Cleaners
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A Message From President Scott McClure. . . |
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I am writing this month about why you should be a
member of ODCA and the benefits that membership
provides. As I understand it, there are 89 subscribers
to our email newsletter, yet not all Oregon subscribers
are members
of this organization. It cannot be the cost to join since
the fee is nominal. If you read the newsletter you are
aware of the work that we do on behalf of all dry
cleaners statewide. What's stopping you?
My wife Mickey and I joined the ODCA after we bought
our plant to be able to keep up on laws, regulations
and news that affects the dry cleaning industry and our
business directly. Having attended a few educational
seminars before joining, we knew that the effort to
provide continuing educational programs to keep us
up to date with new techniques and opportunities was
a goal for this organization, and at a lower cost to
make
it more affordable to membership.
Every year ODCA puts on a convention at different
locations across the state. The convention always
has good vendor displays provided by our allied
trade
members. They are on-site to answer your questions
and show you new products. The speakers that we
have are always experts in their field. For the last two
years, Nora Nealis of the National Cleaners
Association has been our keynote speaker. This
reflects how hard the volunteers work all year and are
able to bring in top notch speakers and educational
programs for the benefit of the membership.
During my first year as a member I was named to
the Board of Directors. It was then that I
understood one of the most important functions that
we
provide is keeping up on legislative issues pertaining
to how we run our businesses. The members of our
Legislative Committee work to keep us all advised of
laws such as the proposed change to BOLI and
overtime compensation which Gary talks about in his
article this month. This does not include all the hard
work that goes into putting on the convention,
producing the newsletter and all the other things that
are required to keep membership informed.
What does ODCA provide it's membership?
- Excellent educational opportunities
- Updates on legislative and DEQ related
issues
- Convention with exceptional speakers and vendor
displays
- Monthly newsletter
- ODCA Website with Mini-sites for members
- The ability to network with other dry cleaners
So what's stopping you from filling out that
membership form and joining? Is it the cost? It's less
than 50 cents a day so I think not. Is it that you think
your
voice wont be heard? Isn't that whats happening now
by not being a member? The members of this
organization donate their time to keep you informed.
Would you like to become involved and provide your
thoughts? New voices and ideas are always
welcome to help us continue to provide these services
to members.
So I ask you again, what's stopping you? Click on the
link on this newsletter and join now to make a
difference! If you have any questions, I am always
available and I answer all emails.
Thank you and I hope to be hearing form you soon.
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Update From Legislative Committee Chair Gary Campbell. . . |
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The ODCA continues to monitor Oregon Legislative
activity and is happy to report three items:
1. Our lobbyist carefully reviews all proposed
legislation and assures us there is no dry cleaner
specific legislation being proposed this season.
2. Our lobbyist also assures us that the Oregon
DEQ plans no action in regard to the Oregon Dry
cleaner Law as they view it working well for both the
dry cleaners and citizens of Oregon.
3. Finally, the first public hearing of HB 2673 (the
BOLI sponsored bill mandating overtime pay for all
hours worked beyond eight in any single day was held
at 3:00 PM on Friday, April 13th, at the State Capital.
After nearly two hours of testimony, I'm pleased to say
it is apparent the bill will not make it out of committee.
On the downside, dissenting committee members
announced a plan to make this a ballot measure -
something we'll watch carefully.
As a personal
observation, it was both enlightening
and disheartening to see how out-of-touch the
Commissioner of BOLI (Bureau of Labor and
Industries) is with the reality of today's workplace. To
listen to him, one would think that employees
throughout Oregon are being abused and taken
advantage of by their employers - made to work
extraordinarily long hours without recognition or
remuneration and at great sacrifice to their families.
It is my fervent
hope that you will take every effort to
keep abreast of these legislative issues and make
your opinions known to your local legislators. One
thing we've learned these past 12 years dealing with
the Oregon Legislature and the Oregon Dry Cleaner
Law is that our opinion truly makes a difference.
If you have questions or have
additional information
we should be aware of, please don't hesitate to
contact me.
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Quick Quote |
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"I get so much for my membership! A larger
voice
than just mine, which seems to be more
important
every time I pick up a paper or listen to a
news report
slam dry cleaners again and again" . . .
. . .Claire
Anchick,
Towne & Country Cleaners
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A Word From Member Jodie Bittick. . . |
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What do I get for my membership? I have often heard
this question throughout the years
and there has been much discussion with the ODCA.
At those times I felt that I really didn't have a good
answer because I could not figure out just what my
membership dollars did for my business and what I
got out of it personally. The events that have taken
place in my life over the last six weeks have caused
me to reflect on this question and now I feel I have the
answer.
Through the ODCA, my husband Dan and I have met
many wonderful people in the industry, throughout the
state and beyond. This is a network of professionals
facing the same issues and concerns that we were.
Whether there were equipment issues, employee
issues, or the ever looming DEQ issues, all of us at
one time or another have faced the same problems.
Through this network a newer business can benefit
from the more established business and their trials
and tribulations. While an established business can
learn what is new. No one can learn this information
in Dry Cleaning 101. Belonging to a trade
organization gives you this benefit. And this
information is worth much more than the $150.00
dues we pay.
Six weeks ago my brother called us because his
boiler was in need of repair and he didn't know who to
call. Southern Oregon has very few resources. Dan
told him of the company that we used a couple of
months ago to repair our boiler. While this company
was trying to fix the boiler they discovered that it could
not be repaired and he needed a new one. he was on
the phone to us because again he did not know who
to call. By that afternoon Dan had several options for
him, (through the network of the ODCA), and he had a
boiler on the way.
Unfortunately, he passed away suddenly that
weekend. Matt Harper, whom I had met through an
ODCA seminar was there to offer his service and
condolence to help us through the painful process of
closing my brother's business. Dick De Zeeuw from
the DEQ was there to offer his support and
assistance. If I had not been a member and had not
participated or become involved with this organization,
either through seminars or attending the annual
convention, what was a very difficult time would have
been a lot harder for my family and me.
So what do I get for my membership dollars? I receive
information no school can teach. I am kept up on the
latest trends, rules and regulations of the industry.
And most important, I have a circle of professionals
and friends that share in my joys and success and are
there to offer comfort and support during the hard
times. For me this is priceless.
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Quick Quote |
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"ODCA is a progressive and active state
association,
with informative conventions and ongoing
educational
programs" . . .
. . . Jack Ellison, Western Cleaners &
Launderer
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What ODCA Offers You by Membership Chair Leslie Kettenhofen... |
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As chair of the membership committee, I
just
wanted to take a few minutes
and mention some of the benefits of being a
member.
- Representation - For many Oregon dry
cleaners,
representation in the
legislature
is by far the biggest reason to get involved.
ODCA
allocates tremendous
resources
in making sure Oregon’s dry
cleaners stay
involved and are heard in
the legislative process concerning the
Oregon Dry
Cleaner Law.
- Education - Each year the ODCA
allocates
resources towards bringing you
a variety of educational opportunities. Last
year we
did classes on Counter
Service & Wet Cleaning, this year
we're starting
off with two computer
seminars.
- Convention - Each October the ODCA
holds their
annual membership
meeting and convention. We have several
high
quality speakers, addressing
issues ranging from Insurance to Labor
Laws. The
membership meeting
provides
a venue for you to get involved.
Convention is also a
great way to get acquainted
with your fellow dry cleaners in an
educational and
social environment.
- Newsletters - Each month we send out
an
electronic newsletter, informing
our members on the current events and
news on
the industry.
- Information Services - We maintain a
very up-to-
date website. Through the
website you can contact any one of the
officers or
directors with ease.
There
are links to several other organizations
that you will
find useful (e.g.
NCA, IFI, the DEQ, the FTC). You also
can have your
own one page mini-site
or a link to your own business site. We
also
provide a classified
advertising
section that you will find helpful in locating
a buyer
for your used
equipment.
- Networking - Meeting and talking with
other
cleaners. It's amazing the
tips you'll find out about processing
garments or
maintaining equipment.
You discover that you're not the only one
who
occasionally has issues in
their plant.
Membership in the Oregon Dry
Cleaners
Association
Is more important now than
ever
before.
Becoming a member is
easy. Just click on the link,
fill out and
mail in the
form with your
check or
use the PayPal links.
Click here to become a
member.
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Convention Location & Dates |
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Mark Your
Calendar!
ODCA
Convention
2007
October 5th & 6th
Kah-Nee-Ta
High
Dessert
Resort &
Casino
Kah-Nee-Ta
Village was completed in 1964 and
named for the
Indian woman
Xnitla, "Root Digger"
who had owned the
property.
Xnitla was a scout and spiritual
leader
who used the natural hot
springs and indigenous plants and roots
for
medicinal purposes
and
religious ceremonies. The Lodge and
Convention
Center
opened in 1972,
followed by Indian Head Casino in
1995.
In
the spring of 2001, the Tribal
Council approved unifying
Kah-Nee-Ta
Resort
and Indian Head Casino,
forming
what is now Kah-Nee-Ta High
Desert
Resort &
Casino.
Learn all about the Kah-Nee-Ta High Dessert
Resort and Casino. Visit the
Kah-Nee-Ta website.
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