Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1029836
W EEKLY EDITION SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 P AGE 11 'It's an Honor, But It's Also a Very Importa nt Responsibility' Past Board nominees talk about their experiences – Part II By GR Anderson Jr., PSAI Communications Director This is the second of two parts where we talk to past nominees for the Portable Sanitatio n Association International's Board. Last week we talked to operators . This week we talk to suppliers . When I started this job, I knew I'd be walking into a land where I didn't know much about how things operated. But in the two months since, I've learned a great deal about most thing s PSAI. Notice I didn't say all things, and the learning curve in some respects has been steep. But my favorite part of the work so far is reaching out to Members and "meeting" them, either by phone or email. Talking to Board nominees has given me a great appreciation for the organization. When Tonya Ray of Surco was nominated but didn't win for 2017 - 2018, she says she had two thoughts: "I was like, ok, good, they don't hate me, but I also don't have the extra work." And work it is, as nominees and winner s explain it. Bill Jones of Lely Tank says there's a greater responsibi lity than just that within the B oard. "What we do in PSAI is promote our industry and reputation," Jones says, as one of three supplier representatives currently on the Board. "Being in volved in the board is part of that." As Jones sees it, much of his take on what the Board can mean is evolving, saying that he's certain that a dark time in relatively recent PSAI history is, in fact, history. ""There's a big change in the organization i tself, from difficult times to where we are now," says Jones, who was Mayor of Temple, Texas and has served on many not - for - profit boards. "There's this notion of what the PSAI is trying to do for itself, and reach out to M embers. But we're also trying to r each out to people who don't know the industry." For others, just simply being nominated shed more light on the PSAI. "I was very honored, but I think it's also a very important responsibility," says Martin Zeltner of Five Peaks, who was nominated but did not win. "My only reservation was that I would have to be prepared to dig in." One thing that all three point to is that the nomination process seems to bring about an air of camaraderie. In fact, some nominees have been nominated by people from other co mpanies. "That's what's so amazing about this industry," Zeltner continues, saying that he's been a part of other associations where members don't even talk to each other. "When it comes to the Association, people leave their company hat at the door. What' s amazing is that people come together." Ray says she was surprised to be nominated by someone from another company. "He sent me the nicest email, saying that the board needs directors with business skills and positive energy," says Ray, who is relatively new to the industry. "I said, 'Sure, I bet you say that to all the suppliers!' "Even my supplier competitors I love and love to see at all the shows," Ray continues. "Even if they're stealing clients from me. But all's fair in love and sales." -- gr