Have you ever considered serving on the Portable Sanitation Association Inter-national Board of Directors?” This was a question I was asked in 1999. Well, of course my first reaction was, “Are you crazy?’’ I could never sit around a big conference table and actually share any ideas that I may have. Who would want to hear any of my thoughts or concerns?
I thought members on the PSAI Board of Directors were leaders in our industry. They own the largest portable restroom companies, and I was quite sure they had absolutely nothing else to do but think about the big issues facing our industry. Was I ever wrong!
Well, that certainly was not me. At that time, my company was very small and I was doing everything from answering phones, taking orders, doing accounts receivable, accounts payable, collections, financial reconciling and reports … in other words, I was working 70 to 80 hours per week, as I am sure so many of you do.
Again my thought process was, “Are you really crazy? There is no way I would have time for a commitment like that.”
MANY ADVANCES
As I began thinking about the knowledge and experience I have gained over the previous ten years from the PSAI conventions and Nuts & Bolts workshops, I came to the realization that the PSAI has given me so much more than I could ever give back. So I asked myself: Why not me? Why not my experience? Why not my knowledge? Why not my time? Why not my financial commitment? And if not me, then who?
It has been really exciting working with a group of dedicated people who are committed to positive change and growth of our association and industry.
Some of the changes during my involvement with the PSAI have been: In 2001, the Service Technician of the Year Award began. In 2004, the PSAI produced a service technician training video to complement the PSAI certification program. In 2006, certification was revised to include servicing hand-wash stations, and in 2007, servicing restroom trailers.
Since 2003, the PSAI has been working in conjunction with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s advisory committee on construction safety and health to impact regulatory standards and usage ratios for sanitation at construction sites. There have also been countless advancements made at local and state levels.
As the current past president of the PSAI Board of Directors it is my duty to serve as the Nominating Committee chair. This committee consists of two current board directors and three PSAI general members. It is the responsibility of the Nominating Committee to nominate members of the association to any openings on the board of directors. It is also the Nominating Committee’s duty to submit a suggested slate of executive officers for the board.
The PSAI Nomination Committee is seeking qualified individuals for nomination to the board of directors. There will be one director position to be filled this November at the annual convention in Daytona Beach, Fla. There will be a greater number of director position openings in November 2009.
To be considered as a member of the board of directors, your company must be a PSAI member in good standing for a minimum of 12 months. You must also be able to attend four board meetings a year. Two of the board meetings are held in conjunction with the PSAI Annual Convention and Trade Show in early November and the Nuts & Bolts Workshop held in mid-March. There are also board meetings held in May and September of each year.
TIME WELL SPENT
Because the PSAI is an international association, every other year there is a meeting held at an international location. Directors are responsible for travel, hotel and meal expenses. Also, directors are strongly encouraged to be involved and active in at least one committee.
As you can see, this is not a minor commitment. But it is a very rewarding one. I am very proud of my involvement with the PSAI Board of Directors; I know that I have gained far more than I have given.
So I am asking you, Have you ever considered serving on the Portable Sanitation Association International Board of Directors? If not, why not and if not you, who?
If you are interested in a nomination to or would like to nominate someone for the upcoming vacancy on the board of directors of the PSAI please feel free to contact me.
Karen Holm of On Site Sanitation Inc., St. Paul, Minn., is the PSAI Nominating Committee chair. She can be reached by phone at 651/429-3781 or by e-mail at karen@onsitesanitation.com.
