Mission Statement The Accredited Snow Contractors Association is a trade association with the purpose of advancing the professional snow and ice management industry and to promote its role in performing high-risk services to society including: 1. Providing educational programs and publications in all aspects of snow and ice management, finance, business management, marketing and other specialized areas of professional interest; 2. Conducting meetings and other programs designed to promote the exchange of ideas among members and to facilitate the conduct of their business; 3. Collecting and disseminating information pertaining to the snow and ice management industry, including statistical data and other statistical research; 4. Developing and maintaining professional accreditation programs to encourage high standards for snow and ice management professionals; 5. Advocating the interest of the snow and ice management industry to local, state/provincial, federal and international governmental bodies; 6. Advocating the interests of the snow and ice management industry to insurance companies and allied associations. |
I’m writing this column well into our government “shutdown.” I know this is a bad cliché, but’s it’s like watching a train wreck. As upset as I get and as much as I want to turn off the news feeds I can’t help but follow this silly stalemate.
I’m dumbfounded and sickened by what has been playing out these last few weeks. But what has really amazed me is the amount of misinformation spread and how people readily believe what is being told to them. Unfortunately, too many of our elected officials believe if they say something into a microphone, then Americans will readily believe it. I’m sad to report that only a minority of U.S. citizens have done their own research and have developed their own opinions. As a result, national discord and stagnation persists.
For the record, my beliefs on this issue are bipartisan in nature. I believe they are all wrong. I believe they are all at fault and should be held accountable for this crisis we find ourselves in at this moment. Lastly, I believe we should turn over all of our elected officials in upcoming election cycles.
So what does this have to do with snow? Over the past two years, there is been some misinformation disseminated about the ASCA and its agenda. And like the half-truths revolving around the government shutdown, some people in our industry have questions about our association.
So here are the facts. The ASCA formed because in 2011 you paid $500 million in premiums to insure your operations. That same year, insurance paid out $1 billion in claims on these policies.
Our foundation rests on four pillars: Industry Standards, education, verification and positive legislative change.
The ASCA supports all efforts, regardless of where they originate, to improve the professional snow and ice management industry. Only through education, standards, professionalism and a collective voice can our industry grow and prosper.
We initiated tort-reform initiatives and championed the industry’s first lobbying effort in Washington D.C.
In addition, the ASCA put into writing the first-ever set of Industry Standards, without which the efforts for certification (both ASCA-C and ISO 9001/SN9001), insurance parity and potential legislative reform would not and could not be possible. We have tied ourselves closely to The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in all of our programs, ensuring the utmost credibility.
And here’s a final fact. The ASCA’s mission is to help you and to strengthen the industry, and we cannot do this without your involvement. The feedback we’ve received from the legislative community as a result of our efforts – Day on the Hill, providing Congressional testimony – is that legislators are largely unaware of the issues plaguing our industry. That’s why it’s vital you get involved and play a part. The ASCA has created the platforms to drive legislative change, however instead of the effort being spearheaded by the few, real change is assured by the efforts of the many.
The ASCA can provide you the tools to drive change. Please reach out to me and I’d be happy to discuss the role you can play to improve your industry.
Kevin Gilbride is the executive director of the Accredited Snow Contractors Association.
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