President's Desk
Spring Has Sprung
Looks like spring is finally coming to North Carolina. The ice and snow are gone and the Bradford pear trees, yellow bells and jonquils are blooming across the state. The best part is that cleaners are reporting an uptick in volume as the weather improves and the stock market rebounds. It's been a tough winter for most of us but we have survived the storm. Now it's time to reap the benefits of an economy on the rebound.
A great way to jump start your own rebound is by bringing your family to Atlantic Beach, N.C. Memorial Day weekend for NCALC's 104th Annual Convention. Every year since 1907 in spite of wars, the great depression, and numerous recessions North Carolina drycleaners and their families have come together for this annual event to sharpen their skills, share their ideas, and recharge their batteries. You deserve a break and this is your opportunity to take one that will pay off in spades. Our convention program provides a mix of education, sun and surf time, and family oriented evening social functions. We have been fortunate in obtaining three of the speakers from the recent DLI FIVE STAR MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE in Las Vegas who will enlighten you on utilizing a website, facebook, and other social media to draw customers in your doors and what to expect from and how to deal with the increase in activity and inspections from OSHA under the current
NCALC 2010 Convention
A WORLD RENOWNED FAMILY AND BUSINESS ORIENTED
SPRING BREAK COMBINING WORLD CLASS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Frank Kollman, Attorney at Law and National Clothesline Columnist specializing in OSHA and other Employer/Employee Relations, will enlighten us on what to expect as the Department of Labor increases OSHA inspections, fines and a harder line during settlement discussions under the current Administration. Frank and his wife will be spending the weekend with us.
Kollman is a management labor law attorney and litigator. He has defended employers in court and before government agencies throughout the United States, and he has lectured nationally on labor law, employment discrimination, and occupational safety and health. He writes regular columns for several trade associations and trade publications, including The National Clothesline.
John Zimmerman, CEO of eRocketFuel.com, a Chicago based Social Media Marketing Agency (Websites, Facebook, Twitter) will explain social networking sites and how you can use them to gain customers and profit. John was born in North Carolina and graduated from UNC-W with a degree in creative writing. He also earned an MBA from DePaul and did post-gradaute work at MIT. He and his wife and daughter will be spending the weekend with us.
Norman Way, Director of Operations for Puritan Cleaners in Richmond Virginia, will share real e-social applications in the wonderful world of Dry Cleaning. You Tube, Facebook and Twitter have become an essential part of Puritan Cleaners' marketing as demonstrated at puritancleaners.com. And YES -Marketing Dry Cleaning Can Be Fun! In addition to dry cleaning, Norman enjoys ministry, playing guitar, outdoors and has performed with Blue Man Group in Vegas. His wife of 23 years (and 5th grade sweetheart), along with their four daughters, will join us for the weekend in Atlantic Beach."
You can fan him at facebook.com/puritancleaners. Follow him at www.twitter.com/puritancleaners. Watch him at www.youtube.com/puritancleaners
Bill Fisher, CEO of DLI, will also be on hand for the weekend debuting a new presentation he is preparing for us entitled "How to get the most out of your membership in DLI." How member cleaners are maximizing the return on their dues by utilizing DLI products and services to maximize their professionalism and profit.
Dryclean Dave - Dave Sillimon, DLI President, Uptown Cleaners, Scottsdale Arizona will be back to share more stories of the hardships of living in the desert, dealing with Spot Check, five children and more embarrassing times with youxr ED (that's me).
Allied Trades Table Top Ehibiits
FREE TIME TO ENJOY THE SUN, POOL, AND BEACH
NOON-6:00PM
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
FAMILY FRIENDLY SOCIAL AFFAIRS
FRIDAY NIGHT
Mardi Gras in May. Cajun Style Seafood Feast
Silent Auction
SATURDAY NIGHT
Hawaiian Luau. Caribbean Ribs, Steel Drummer
Music by-Dave Overby-The Bopper
Silent Auction
SUNDAY NIGHT
YOUNG CLEANERS PARTY
Pizza and Chicken Fingers, Games, Movies and Adult Supervision
PRESIDENT RECEPTION-Host Bar
ANNUAL BANQUET-Filet,
Beauford Chicken or Vegetarian
Dryclean Dave-Installation of Officers and Director's
LIVE AUCTION
Silent Auction
Our annual silent and live auction has provided funds to our educational and membership outreach programs for the past five years. Without this additional source of funds our ability to serve our members would have been severely limited. We need to make this years auction a resounding success. Your help is needed in two ways:
Your attendance and participation in the auction at the convention and your contribution of items to be auctioned will be noted.
Certainly you have or can find some special treasure that someone else will not be able to live without. A piece of old jewelry in your dresser drawer, an old poster or sign, sports memorabilia, a household appliance, game(s), toys, dolls, tools, coolers, a week or weekend at your vacation home with or without you, a fishing trip, tickets to a pro or college game have gone well. Many times a merchant you do business with has been willing to donate an item. Put on your thinking cap and keep your eyes open and inspiration will strike.
In order to have the auction ready to open Friday night at the Seafood Feast, Auction Chairwoman Gloria Cowell needs the enclosed Auction Donation Form by May 1st if possible and your items shipped to her at Cowell's Cleaners, 428 E. Grantham Street, New Bern, N.C. 28560. N.S. Farrington and Co. has graciously consented to transport your auction items to Gloria if you contact Sue Farrington at 800-722-0374by May 1st. You may fax or email your donation forms to Gloria at 252-514-0163 or cowellcleaners@earthlink.net.
Your help and support is greatly appreciated. Let's make NCALC's 104th Annual Convention the biggest and best ever. If you have any questions or would like to help Gloria with the Auction call her at 252-514-7361.
Things to Do and Places to Go in the Atlantic Beach Area
NC AQUARIUM
ATLANTIC BEACH
The newly renovated, 93,000 square foot Aquarium features North Carolina's aquatic life from the mountain to the sea. Special exhibits include a 32-foot water fall, river otters, a recreation of the local pirate shipwreck "The Queen Anne's Revenge", touch tanks, and a 306,000 gallon tank that features sharks and a replica of a nearby sunken German U-Boat.
FORT MACON STATE PARK
ATLANTIC BEACH
Civil War era fort built between 1826 and 1834 to guard the entrance to Beauford Harbor. Four and half foot thick walls of brick and stone protect 26 gun casements, hot shot furnace, and exhibits. Guided and self-guided tours available.
HISTORIC BEAUFORD
5 miles East of Moorehead City. Preservation efforts have kept Old Beauford much as it was when the town was incorporated in 1722. Take a tour aboard a vintage English double decker bus. Visit restored historic homes, the jail, courthouse, apothecary shop, and a cemetery established in the early 1700's.
Join WATER BUG TOURS and "Cruise the Creek" along the Historic Beauford Waterfront where you are likely to see wild ponies on Shackleford Banks.
Stop by the NORTH CAROLINA MARITIME MUSEUM to see exhibits of Native American dugout canoes, sailing ships, artifacts from Blackbeard's flagship "The Queen Anne's Revenge" and exhibits honoring the brave traditions of the US Lifesaving Service.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the great restaurants
along the waterfront and check out the many unique stores in the area.
Make Your Lodging Reservations Now
LODGING is available in the
Convention Hotel
Sheraton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel
$169.00/night (2 queen beds)
Rates good before and after convention
72 hour Cancellation Policy
RESERVATION DEADLINE
APRIL 28, 2010
CALL
GROUP RESERVATION-800-214-0258-MON-FRI 9:00AM-5:00PM
GROUP NAME: N.C. Association of Launderers and Cleaners
OR
Island Beach and Racquet Club
(Next Door)
www.atlanticbeachrealty.net/island-beach.htm
2 and 3 Bedroom Privately Owned Condo's
(rates vary)
Oceanfront and Sound side (less expensive)
Tennis Courts and Pool/Clean-up included
CALL
OCEAN RESORTS 800-682-3702
MON-FRI 9:00AM-5:00PM
Ask for Special Rates for Drycleaners Group
You will have access to parking, pool, beach, private pier at Sheraton
as Conference Attendee.
Sandy Was Dandy
Sandra Haralson hit a bases loaded home run at NCALC's Drycleaning Finishing Class in Fayetteville April 27th. Student's comments included:
"Sandy is wonderful. She has lots of knowledge she shares and shows the correct way of pressing."
"I learned a lot. Wonderful job."
"Would love to have Sandy come to my plant so others could learn."
Finishers, supervisors, and owners alike all gave Sandy high marks for the content and delivery of material and especially the hands on time each student was given on the press. Every student was given a book created by Sandra showing the quality points and method of achieving them to take back to their plant for future reference and her phone number in case they need her help down the line.
Sandy began her career in drycleaning as a finisher (presser) and passed on a couple of secrets she learned from her teacher-a finisher with 30 years of experience. This unique background of having earned her living as a finisher gives Sandy a credibility with experienced pressers as well as those new to the profession.
Students who will receive certificates of completion of the course and 2 AOE Education Points are:
Mary Bradshaw-GlamORama-Clinton
Marsha Wheless-Regency Cleaners-Durham
Mary Cruze-One Hour Koretizing-Fayetteville
Sandra Porilio-One Hour Koretizing-Fayetteville
Margarita Bojoy-Hernandez-Durham Cleaners and Laundry-Durham
Alix Barrios-Lopez-Durham Cleaners and Laundry-Durham
Brenda Honeycutt-Plaza Dry Cleaners-Chapel Hill
Linda Sue Wilson-Al's Glam O Rama-Fayetteville
NCALC would like to thank Patrick and Wendy Cardenas, Al's Glam O Rama for hosting this class.
Sandra L. Haralson CED is an Associate Member of NCALC. She is an independent consultant to the dry cleaning industry specializing in hands on in-plant training in stain removal, drycleaning/wetcleaning, finishing and production management with clients across the country including several "America's best Cleaners" and several NCALC members. She is based in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. and can be reached at 843-216-8391 or sharalson511@aol.com
Winter Board Meeting
The NCALC Board of Directors and Committees were finally able to convene on February 20th at the Beach Cove Resort in North Myrtle Beach. Originally scheduled for January 31st the meeting had to be rescheduled due to the Blizzard of 2010. Unfortunately, due to previously scheduled activities a few board and committee members were unable to attend the rescheduled meeting but we still had almost 30 at the Saturday morning meeting. Counting spouses and significant others total attendance was over 40 for the weekend. One good thing the change in date accomplished was to allow all of those in attendance to help Susie Sessoms celebrate her birthday. The Friday night hospitality hour was turned into a surprise birthday party for Susie with a few gag gifts and cards, a few tasteful offerings, and a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday to You" by the NCALC choir.
The Board approved an ambitious pro-active membership retention, recapture, and recruitment program from the Membership Committee. The Board also took under advisement a proposal from Heartland Payment Systems to become NCALC endorsed Credit Card and Payroll Processing provider. Heartland is to submit a written proposal to the Member Service Committee prior to the May Board Meeting.
The Governmental Affairs Committee reported that they were working with Phenix Supply, N.S. Farrington, and Fuller Supply to develop a recycling program for poly garment covers. On the regulatory front they reported that NCDENR recently increased some 2L (drinking water) standards but the standard for perc was not changed. The DSCA Program is pursuing at least two enforcement actions for non-compliance with the MMP's. The Board approved the committee's recommendation to continue to retain Henry Jones as our Legislative/Regulatory attorney for 2010.
Executive Director Sto Fox presented his annual report to the Board on 2009 Operations and his Operational forecast for 2010. Net from operation in 2009 was $2,226 which was $274 less than projected. Although revenue was $7,515 less than forecasted, expenses were $7,241 less than projected. The Operational forecast for 2010 anticipated some further reduction in Associate Member dues, advertising and convention sponsorships, and maintenance of lower administrative cost resulting in a break even year. The Board approved the 2010 Budget Forecast as presented and voted to retain the Executive Director for another year.
NCALC MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
· PREMIUM SAVINGS WITH IWA FABRICARE INSURANCE PROGRAM Buildings, Equipment, Inventory, Unlimited Bailee, Damage in Processing, Mysterious Disappearance, Boiler, Workers Compensation, Auto available direct or through your local insurance agent
· Up to 14% savings on Credit Card Processing from Payment Processing Consultants
· Free bad check collection service from Check Collection & Recovery
· Special pricing (10% discount), no setup fee, and no charge for first month's payroll processing services from ADP
· Representation in Raleigh with Legislators and Regulators by NCALC's Lawyer/Lobbyist
· Statewide training program from NCALC: · Drycleaning
· EPA / OSHA / MMP compliance · Drycleaning Finishing
· Professional wetcleaning · Spotting
· Equipment maintenance · Customer service
· Access to the services of an active or retired cleaner to act as your mentor
· 6 bi-monthly newsletters with info about what's going on in North Carolina:
· Legislative and regulatory issues
· Seminars, classes and meetings
· NCALC's annual convention
· Operational / compliance / management issues
· Cleaning industry news
· Association activities
· Family-friendly Annual Convention on Memorial Day Weekend at the coast featuring top national speakers and opportunities to network with other cleaners
· Opportunities to participate in the state association through service on a committee and/or the Board of Directors and to network with other cleaners
· Executive Director (who is a drycleaner) who will help you find the information or answers you need.
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Copyright: NCALC 2010