So, I hope you understand my frustration when more people choose not to contribute.
100%. That's kind of what I thought your point was. Your frustration was subtle, yet real, and justifiably so. Good on ya', mate. Your dedication to ISSFA - and much more importantly, the Principles upon which ISSFA was founded - has long since been proven to me.
Let me ask you this: Why don't they participate? Heck, I don't do half of what I used to at the start. I think there are at least three answers, each holding a different path.
The battle used to be us vs. them, the manufacturers. That fight was more or less a draw, but the free market won, and that's how it should be. The battle over (for now, but trouble is brewing), the passion drained out a bit. ISSFA lagged in deciding where the focus needed to be trained, and lost crucial time. When the smoke cleared we found the magazine that was such a voice of support for the Asssociation was sold*, the show that was the best hope for financial independence, as well as a vehicle that made ISSFA a force that must be reckoned with, was sold, and the money the Association received was not well spent. Not a good atmosphere for new recruiting. More of a hold what you got kind of strategy.
Two, most of the "product" that ISSFA sells is kind of in-house stuff. Seminars that are put together at Henderson, regionals that are so few and far between that a small cast could assemble the parties to contribute, and the participation by the membership can be had at a distance (which we all asked for, by the way). When fabricators started taking on estone, ISSFA felt it had to follow suit and watered down the strong solid surface focus. I'm not saying it was the wrong decision, but it had an obvious effect.
Third, but by no means the least important, the market commoditized at an amazing pace. The split between the custom houses and the production houses grew, and the margins were tightened to the point where the extra bit of spending we'd do to go to things like conferences were all of a sudden harder to justify. Reason #427 why this industry has turned to crap.
ISSFA needs to find a voice, and you and Todd and Jon are the leaders of that. While you're searching, consider looking inward at trying to maintain credibility and integrity in a world that tends to reward salesmanship and flexibilty. I don't envy Todd in his new role, but he seems to have the integrity to ensure that the little things be as clean as the big things, and that "Top Brands" does not equal "ISSFA members".
Thanks for taking the time to read this, Kurt.
* I'm well aware that ISSFA didn't own Solid Surface mag. The point is no less valid. |