When Times are Tough, We Need Each Other More

By Michael Gelskey, Sr.
WSTDA President

We’re in the dog days of summer and already I’m looking forward to the more temperate fall conditions and to our meeting in Seattle. The meeting will be action packed with pre-committee meetings, our regular meetings and a special presentation on slings and rigging.

Recently I have had an opportunity to make contact with folks who I have not talked to for some time and their stories are devastating. One individual’s story follows for your consideration. “Lost the house, the 6 figure income, the Escalade (at the end, didn’t feel right driving to the food bank in it, anyway) and almost lost my family. The new employer moved us cross country, and right when I was feeling my legs, corporate decided to cut 100 jobs. Of course, working in the safety office combined with last in-first out, sealed my fate. Now I’m working for a small crane company making a third of what I used to and am thinking about doing crane training in Saudi Arabia, just to pay the bills.”

When you, as I’m sure have, hear your own rendition of this portal into the construction and safety world it certainly does not bring on visions of marketing campaigns, extensive road trips, new catalogs or expansion.

We were stunned by the terrible news we received about Chris Walsh, directly after our meeting in Asheville. To think that our meeting was the stage for the last few days of Chris’ life is haunting. Chris and Carmen shared their beautiful love story with me after the banquet and I could not wait to relay it to my wife, Emily. They were so happy. In the blink of an eye Christopher John Walsh was gone at 38 years old. Our thoughts and our prayers continue to go out to Carmen, the relatives of Chris and to his parents, JoAnn and John Walsh as they deal with the loss of a son they have every right to be extremely proud of.

Losing a job is one thing, losing a son or a fiancé an entirely different matter. When you put such life altering events into context, standards development, committee meetings and association work continue, but from a different perspective.

John Walsh provided outstanding leadership for our association and passed the reins to me in Asheville. I am honored to serve the association and its membership and I know that I have very large shoes to fill. The Web Sling and Tie Down Association has done extremely well in gaining membership. Even in these less than favorable times, the board of directors is reviewing and approving new membership applications on a regular basis.

Companies that support the association by their membership should be complimented. The fine people from the member companies that serve on the committees and Board of Directors are an inspiration to me. Whether you’re an owner or an employee, the blood, sweat and tears you put into the association is making a difference and you and your employer should be commended.

Times are tough and some are forced to cut back. What are amazing to me are the fine people who come forward, during these times, ask to serve on committees and/ or volunteer to lead committees. We will have some exciting news about our new Web Sling Technical Committee Chair and new members of his committee and other committee members in Seattle.
Volunteerism is the life blood of the Web Sling and Tie Down Association. Those who attend the meetings and participate are the backbone of the association. I had asked in my acceptance speech that those making purchasing decisions consider the donation of time, money and talent by the suppliers who participate at the WSTDA meetings. Some are conspicuous by their absence and will hopefully realize that it is in giving that you shall receive.

My comments about attendance are not applicable to past President Becky Theissen. For those of you that do not know she contributes extensively to the association through committee work, standards review, warnings development and as a valuable advisor to your past and present presidents.

We will continue to send the message of the value-added benefits of membership in the Web Sling and Tie Down Association to all who fabricate and supply our industry. When talking to a recent membership applicant who was specifically interested in our scientifically developed warning system, my reply was, “why wouldn’t you want to belong and spend time with the best minds in our industry?” Couple this with the luxury of not having to invent and defend your own warning tags and you really have a win-win situation.

Another goal will be the strengthening of ties with national and international associations and organizations. The message given by Don Pellow, Chair, TC-AWRF at our 30 year anniversary banquet in Newport was outstanding. Responding to the spirit of cooperation, Bob Jasany attended the recent Technical Committee Meetings of the Associated Wire Rope Fabricators. We have had liaisons with ASME and AWRF for some time and will now have representatives from the WSTDA attend Cordage Institute, LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association) and ACRP(Association of Crane and Rigging Professionals) functions. We are far better working together than operating in separate but parallel worlds.
Business and margins may be down, but there’s a big difference between down and down and out.

The benefits of product and fabrication knowledge that one gleans from the WSTDA committee meetings, presentations and the many opportunities to network at the meetings are unlimited. The ideas and concepts one is exposed to at the meetings, unbelievable.

If you’re considering membership, make the decision to join, today. I can guarantee your decision will be one of the better moves you’ve made. If you’re already a member and not involved, get involved with one or several of the committees. Your participation and your voice will make a difference. The meetings will become more meaningful for you and the association will benefit from your experience and knowledge.

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Web Sling & Tie Down Association

2105 Laurel Bush Rd. • Suite 200 • Bel Air, MD 21015 • phone: 443-640-1070 • fax: 443-640-1031 • wstda@ksgroup.org • www.wstda.com