Index

A LETTER FROM YOUR PRESIDENT… KATHEY BUTTERS

This year started off with a bang! The ODCA officers and board members have been extremely busy. Articles within this newsletter will update you on their activities. I would like to take a minute to share some additional thoughts with you.

Legislative issues have been the main focus so far this year. I would personally like to say a HUGE Thank You to Gary Campbell (Legislative Committee Chairman), Steve Young, and the other committee members for their personal time and energy that they have donated on behalf of all ODCA members- and in fact for all Oregon Dry Cleaners.

ODCA has been listening to the Dry Cleaners throughout the state for the past 2 years regarding their concerns and thoughts about the “ Dry Cleaner Law”. We developed a proposal addressing those concerns, which we are taking through the legislative process. For a status report please see the article by Gary Campbell.

Another big undertaking of ODCA was the launch of it’s website, www.oregondrycleaners.org. This would not have been done as quickly without ODCA members Bob and Leslie Kettenhofen who own Bob’s Dry Cleaners in Florence. Leslie volunteered her expertise in website design and her time making this website possible. Leslie developed the site and maintains the information, keeping it current.

You might be asking yourself what is the big deal about a website for the ODCA and you in particular as a member of ODCA. Personally I use the Internet is the place I go to obtain more information about a variety of places, services and companies. I am not unique. In an article in the May 15th 2000 issue of Newsweek titled “We’ve All Got Mail” it states, “67 percent of Americans 18-24 lives in households that use the Internet to gather key information”. Simply typing Kathey into a search engine brings up varying types of information-one of those being Kathey Butters, President Oregon Dry Cleaners and a link to our website. Consumers today and in the future are going to look for an Internet presence for the people they want to do business with. It shows progressive thinking.

As a member of ODCA your presence on the web is included with your membership. The other advantage for our members is it is a place to go for current information pertaining to our industry. You can also reach your officers and board members with a direct link to their email addresses. Check out Leslies’ article for more information. She also explains how to navigate the website. If you have suggestions, comments, or ideas please email one of us.

Education on “industry” related issues is of foremost concern as related by ODCA members to its board. Again this year, thanks to Brian Olson (Education Chairman), and the other members of the education committee, we are addressing that concern. The education committee has put together an IFI spotting seminar to be held on 2 different days and 2 different locations. Please refer to Brian’s article for the information. Your board has heard from members that they want educational opportunities for themselves and their employees close to home. However, some of the seminars last year were poorly attended. Remember, as an ODCA member you and 1 additional person from your shop can attend these seminars at no charge. Please make plans to attend.

Brian Olson is also the ODCA Convention Chairman again this year. The convention is going to be held in Florence at the Driftwood Shores. Brian and his committee are working hard to make this not only an informative time but fun as well. The date for the convention is October 5,6, and 7. Mark your calendars now and plan to be there. More information will be coming soon to your website, www.oregondrycleaners.org.

A “Thank You” is in order to all past ODCA officers and board members. I had an opportunity to attend another states Dry Cleaning Association board meetings. It opened my eyes to how fortunate ODCA is that past boards equipped our association with a bank account. The main focus for many of the other states association is fundraising so they can operate for another year. Thanks to those who worked so hard before us that we have the freedom to put our efforts into pressing issues facing our industry today here in the state of Oregon. Again this board and I say “Thank You”.

Speaking of boards, I would personally like to thank all who have stepped up this year to serve this association. They donate endless time to ODCA and its membership. A special thank you to Tammy Thompson for taking on the job of treasurer when Dianne White had to resign.

As members of ODCA I encourage you to take the time to contact your board they want your input and appreciate your comments. If you are not a member I encourage you to become one, throughout the newsletter you will find many good reasons to do so.

As President of ODCA I would like to hear from you. My email address kbutters@oregondrycleaners.org and my phone number is 503-399-9560.

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ALWAYS SOMETHING MORE TO LEARN
by Brian OlsonC.E.D., President Elect, Education Chairman

It happens every day. A customer walks into your shop and asks if you can get this stain out. What is it? That’s easy!

Its just a little acetaldehyde, acetic acid, acetone, acetyl methyl carbinaol, ammonia, creasol, diactyl ether alcohol, eugenol, formic acid, furane, higher fatty acids, hydrogen sulfide, m-valeric acid, methyl alcohol, methyl ethyl acetic, resorcinol and trimethylamine. It should come right out. Shouldn’t it? Do you know what this is? You should.

While your thinking about it, here is some information you might find useful…

On April 28 in Portland and again on May 19 in Medford the ODCA will host the IFI Stain Removal Seminar. This seminar will teach not just how to remove the easy spots like the one above but even the more difficult ones. First, you’ll get a refresher on fiber and fabric identification, then we’ll move on to the proper treatment for different fabrics, Stain removal tools, agents and techniques, Bleaches, (my personal favorite), and then those particularly difficult spotting problems.

This is an excellent opportunity to brush up on your skills as well as introduce new staff to the techniques of proper stain removal. Watch your mail for your registration or if you’re afraid you’ll miss it, Email IFI at education@ifi.org or me at BOlson@oregondrycleaners.org.

The education available at these seminars is priceless, yet your membership in the Oregon Dry Cleaners Association includes tuition for 2 people at no additional charge!

So, what exactly is acetaldehyde, acetic acid, acetone, acetyl methyl carbinaol, ammonia, creasol, diactyl ether alcohol, eugenol, formic acid, furane, higher fatty acids, hydrogen sulfide, m-valeric acid, methyl alcohol, methyl ethyl acetic, resorcinol and trimethylamine? You may be surprised. Join me at either of these two seminars and we’ll find out together.

Brian Olson owns 45th Ave Cleaners in Portland, he is President-Elect of ODCA and chairs the Education Committee. You can contact him at 503.244.9707 or Email him at BOloson@oregondrycleaners.org.

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Legislative Up Date
By Gary Campbell, Chairman Legislative Committee

Your Legislative Committee, comprised of President Kathey Butters, Past President Steve Young, and chaired by Immediate Past President Gary Campbell, has been hard at work promoting the interests of Oregon drycleaners to the Oregon Legislature.

Beginning with the premise that the ‘Oregon Drycleaner Law’ is of critical importance to Oregon’s drycleaners, the ODCA has focused on maintaining the immunity this law provides from the frequently ruinous cost of cleaning up contaminated drycleaning sites. At the same time, however, the ODCA has been listening carefully to the drycleaners of Oregon and has been working diligently to amend the bill to address various funding inequities expressed by some of the smallest drycleaners as well as those who have either converted from perc to alternative solvents or, in at least one case, has never had perc on premises.

Faced with various proposals that would have raised some drycleaner’s fees to exorbitant levels while removing any incentive to conserve solvent, the ODCA responded by proposing a fee structure that adjusted the annual fee to reflect both past and current practice while also reducing the solvent tax. As I write this, the result has been a compromise agreement that will reduce the annual fee for the smallest drycleaners while increasing it for the larger drycleaners, will adjust the annual fee to reflect both past and present solvent usage, and will reduce the perc tax to $10/gallon. Additionally, there will be a number of administrative changes designed to clarify and strengthen the drycleaners position. This compromise agreement, which will be presented as SB463, is currently being prepared by legislative legal counsel and we’re expecting a public hearing the week of April 23-27.

As your legislative representative, I sincerely believe this to be a good agreement that will maintain the integrity of our Oregon Drycleaner Program while fairly addressing the perceived inequities of the current law. I urge your support for these changes and encourage you to phone me if you have comments or concerns.

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Welcome to the Oregon Dry Cleaners Association.

By Michael O’Connor, Sergeant-at-Arms, Membership Chairman

With membership numbers dropping in many organizations across the country, the ODCA is set with a strong program for 2001 to continue last years positive trend of gathering new members. The focus of 2001 will carry on with one of the most important aspects of our industry - Education. Plus our legislative committee is very busy working with other industry organization and the legislature to help insure compliance with any new rules or changes to the Dry Cleaning program.

President-elect Brian Olson has again come up with a solid agenda to educate our employees and us.

Seminars, newsletters, ODCA convention, ODCA website and networking are just a few of the benefits an ODCA member can enjoy this year.

We need your involvement, the industry is evolving and we are moving with it. But we need your input, focus, and point of view to insure that all cleaners have a voice.
The education seminars begin on Saturday, April 28 in Portland with a day long IFI sponsored spotting course. Remember, these seminars are free for 2 people per ODCA membership store, and $129 per person for non-members.
With membership only $150 - it makes this an easy decision.

Join now and enjoy the benefits.

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Obituary

It is with sadness that I announce the death of Roscoe E. Lee on March 7,2001. Mr. Lee was a past president of ODCA and also served as a District Director for several years and as a Director for the National Institute of Drycleaning. Mr. Lee was born November 7, 1917 in Alberta, Canada. He began his career with drycleaning on his move to Pendleton, Oregon in 1936 and began working at the Pantorium Cleaners where he met his future wife Helen Mitchell. He became a partner in the Domestic Laundry & Dry Cleaners and in 1955 the couple purchased the Prest-O Cleaners in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Mr. Lee enjoyed community service including working with Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Boy Scouts and the Toastmasters Club to name a few. Mr. Lee was a devoted family man, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Helen Lee, 4 sons, 2 daughters, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ross & Helen Lee Rotary Endowment Scholarship Fund through the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main, Milton-Freewater, Oregon 97852.

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Welcome to the computer age, the ODCA is now Online!
By: Leslie Kettenhofen

WWW.OregonDryCleaners.Org!

My Name is Leslie Kettenhofen, with my husband we own Bob’s Dry Cleaners and Laundry in Florence Oregon. I also do web design and developing. We’ve owned our cleaners for 7 years and we we’re so involved with getting our business going, that for the first 6 years we just worked… This year we took time out to go to the ODCA’s convention in Bend. The whole experience made me want to get involved with our association, but with it just being the two of us at the shop, I wondered how I’d find the time… Well I gave it some thought and then it hit me, the ODCA didn’t have a website. Being a computer geek, the first thing I did when I heard about the convention was look for information online, and I found nothing. So I sent our officers an email offering to do it… Little did I know they we’re looking to put one together…. So here I am 5 months later and our site is up and operating.

Let me give you a little walking tour of the site. On the Home page you’ll find our Mission Statement. The buttons on the left side of each page offer you one way to navigate the site, or at the bottom of each page you’ll find text links that will accomplish the same thing.

Clicking on the Event button will keep you updated on important upcoming events…. Education, Legislative, Board meetings etc… This is the spot to stay informed and find out what’s coming up.

Click on the Join button, to become a member. You’ll be able to print out the form and mail it in along with your membership fee! Now’s a great time to become a member because of this new addition to our organization, the website, will offer you a lot of benefits.

The Consumer button, will lead to a page full of tips for the consumer, everything from choosing a dry cleaner, helpful spot removal and fabricare tips to an interactive slide show on what happens inside a dry cleaners.

Chose the District button and you will find yourself at the District map. You can locate your district on the map click on that section of the map you’ll be taken to that district and find a list of the member cleaners in that district. From there you can click on their name, which will take you to their own personal Website or to the Mini-site on www. Oregondrycleaners.org…. That’s right you can now have your own website presence as a benefit of being a member of the ODCA.

Click on the Officers or Directors buttons and you can be in direct contact with the leadership of the association. You can email them directly by clicking on their email address. You’ll also find a biographical sketch and/or message from each of them.

Clicking on the Members button will take you to the member’s page, where you’ll find an alphabetical listing of all the ODCA members. If you click on any of those listings, you’ll be taken to the appropriate section to find more information on them.

The Allied Trades button leads you to the page for finding equipment and supplies from industry members.

Last but not least is the Links button…. This page gives links to information throughout our industry. You’ll find a link to the DEQ’s Dry Cleaning program site where you can stay abreast of all the latest news and changes to the Dry Cleaners Program… links to IFI (International Fabricare Institute) and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) where you can find an incredible amount of useful information.

The ODCA Web site can be a wonderful benefit to you and your business. The general public will be able to locate a member cleaner in their area. You’ll be able to have a web presence by filling out a form and emailing or snail mailing it to me. Once your store’s information is inputted you’ll be able to use, for example: www.oregondrycleaners.org/YourNameHere on your business cards, stationary, and tickets. This site will be yours for as long as you’re a member of the ODCA.

Potential new members will be able to find us online if they are looking for an association. If you meet a cleaner who is not a member, send them to our site, they’ll be able to see what we have to offer and fill out the form to join.

In the future we’ll be posting our News Letters online and other information impacting our industry! Look for Oregondrycleaners.org to expand greatly over the next few months.

I’d like to thank all the Officers and Directors for helping me get the site to where it is at this point, it’s a joy to work with all of you. Our site is only as good as it’s content and so far everyone has provided some wonderful information. I’d like to invite the rest of you to share your thoughts and ideas in regards to the site. I’m looking forwards to hearing from you!

I’d also like to encourage all members to fill out the following form and get it to me at the address’s listed below:

Your Stores Name ________________________________________

Your Name_______________________________________________

Store Location_____________________________________________

Phone Number____________________Fax Number_________________

Email Address_______________________________________________

Website URL________________________________________________

(If you don’t have a website fill out the rest of the form)

Tell us about your store: Hours, Services, Specialties etc:

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Click here to Submit your Store Information Online

.

Mail to: Leslie Kettenhofen

P.O. Box 3044

Florence, OR 97439

Email to: Webmaster@oregondrycleaners.org

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