ARKANSAS A OKLAHOMA

.lNE of the most important tasks of Vthe MLA staff is keeping in touch with the members. This is a critically important task and sometimes a difficult one because of the time it takes to respond to all the phone calls and letters, while at the same time trying to maintain the forward momentum of association business and events.

Every once in a while, we are confronted with the temptation to isolate ourselves on the assumption that there is more bottom-line value in projects accomplished than questions answered and opinions registered. But to carry through the objectives ofthe association, it is essential to keep in touch with all the members. MLA is a service organization which was formed by independent lumber dealers to reflect the opinions of the lumber and building material industry and to respond to those needs. lt is first and foremost a communications vehicle, a forum or central clearinghouse for ideas and information that you cirn tap into, use for your own professional development and for the growth of your business. The letters and phone calls keep us informed. They are both welcome and essential for accurate monitoring of the programs and projects we undertake on your behalf. Your complaints may make us wince, but we want to hear them in order to correct the situations that concern you.

Please continue to call and write to register your opinions and thoughtswe will respond through improved programming and services that accurately reflect the industry as a whole and the individuals that comprise it.

Over the past few weeks, most of the calls we have fielded from dealers have had to do with the plywood litigation checks. If you thought you should have gotten a check by now and haven't, give us a call. We have a list of everyone who should have received one in Oklahoma and Arkansas. We'll do what we can to help and if we can't, we will put you in touch with the proper person at the accounting firm which is responsible for the distribution of the settlement funds.