Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/202668
CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS Partner with P&CMA - Protect Your Business We had some excitement in my neighborhood a few weeks ago. Now remember, I live in Opp, AL, so excitement in my neighborhood usually refers to a dog getting loose or someone running their golf cart into the lake driving home after a Saturday night at the Country Club. This time it was actual excitement. A "strange man" was seen walking through the neighborhood during the nighttime hours. R. Shayne Lord P&CMA Chairman As you might imagine, nothing stirs up folks in lower Alabama any more than a stranger lurking around, especially at night. Word spread fast throughout the neighborhood and soon a posse of women in golf carts was patrolling the streets as men with dogs walked the wooded area behind the homes. We wanted this stranger to immediately realize that we knew he was out there and we weren't going to put up with any "stuff" he may have planned. We came together to protect our families and our property. Now you may be asking yourself, "What in the world does this have to do with P&CMA, Shayne?" Or you may just be thinking "He's finally gone over the edge." Either way, here's my point. When there was a threat to the neighborhood, everyone immediately knew that the best way to gain immediate control of the situation was to come together as a unit and work toward the common goal of protection. We were in constant communication with each other, we worked together to canvas the entire area so that no one felt their property 6 Oil Prophets or family was at risk and finally, we had each other's back. This is EXACTLY what we need to do with regard to the association and our governmental affairs efforts. Like my neighborhood experienced that night, our industry and your business face threats every day. These challenges range from elected officials who disagree with positions on issues important to our industry to new regulations, taxes and/or fees that threaten our profitability and in many instances our existence. Sometimes we're not even sure where the threat is coming from or if it is a real threat or not. Like the folks in my neighborhood, the best way we can protect ourselves is by gaining immediate control of the situation, coming together as one unit to work toward a common goal, staying in constant communication with each other and protecting each other's back. This begins with our Political Action Committee (PAC). It is imperative that we support the P&CMA PAC so that the association can support those candidates who share our probusiness vision. Next year is an election year in Alabama. If P&CMA wants a seat at the front of the bus we need to be actively involved in the election process. In addition, we need to remain politically engaged at every level. If you don't already know the elected officials in your area on a personal basis now is the time to make that happen. Finally, we need to work together when issues of importance do