Young Westerners get a handle on the future

n NE of the better "People ldeas" \-/ to come along in some time are the new Young Westerners Clubs that are offshoots of the Western Building Materials Assn. and the Lumber Merchants Assn. of Northern Calit. (Ako see LMA column, p.29.)

Story qt q Glqnce

New clubs for the under 35-ers in the business concentrote on understonding ond implementing techniques qnd tqlents of selling ond monogement in the retoil building moleriols business.

Open to anyone under 35 who is an owner or employee of a member of the parent association, the basic thrust of YWC is to train and assist young executives, managers and employees to grow as much as possible and to help them realize their potential in the retail building material industry.

The first of the clubs was founded in June, 1972, under the aegis of WBMA's exec. vp. Ross Kincaid.

Along with many others in the business, he had long sought a way to bring along the young people needed to keep the business dynamic and viable. At that first meeting in Portland, attendance was good'and the idea of the club was enthusiastically received; and the word is still spreading.

Knowing a good thing when he saw one, LMA exec. vp. Harry Mendenhall contacted Kincaid. "It was my personal feeling," Mendenhall relates, "that the name would fit our entire Western region and that each association, if interested, should establish an independent chapter of the club which would not be responsible to any parent organization but would have essentially the same goals. Ross agreed and our board of directors approved the concept.'n

The other retailer associations in The Merchant's 13 state Western area are currently examining and studying the idea of their own YWC and it is likely that more will be established.

A very successful meeting in late January was held by WBMA's Young Westerners Club at the Doubletree Inn. south of Seattle. Ross Kincaid and fellow ex-officio member of YWC- current WBMA president C. E. "Chuck" Link. shared the enthusiasm of those participating and report "the industry will be in good hands with those rapidly coming along and eager to become the leaders of tomorrow."

The meeting was a refreshing exchange of ideas, problems and opportunities between memberg who amply demonstrated their desire to really take part and become involved in an industry. Observers were impressed with the ability of the younger members to- see the opportunities of the long view, while still grappling with the problems of the here and now.

President of the WBMA group is Larry Knudsen, Lumbermen's of Shelton, Shelton, Wash; v.p., Ray LaMarr, Ft. Jones, Ca.; sec.-treasurer, Jack Olson, Olson Lumber Co., Seattle, Wash. Trustees are Robert Caldwell, Marsing Building Center, Marsing, Idaho; Dan Case, Parker Lumber Co., Bremerton, Wash.; Larry Keller, Valley Best-Way Building Supply, Spokane, Wash.; Reg Shires, McCormick Lumber & Millwork, Salem, Ore.; Randall Thomas, Thomas Building Center, Sequim, Wash.; and Bill Whitternore" LaGrande Lumber Co., LaGrandg Ore.

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LL segments of an industrY working together can Produce results and sustain a continuous an' nual promotion program. "Home Im' provement Time" in its seventh suc' cessful year has gained unprecedented support and cooperation from every level involved in home improvement product and service sales. Manufac' turers, publications and allied trade associations, as sponsoring partici' pants, have joined with the five spon' soring associations to create an indus' try promotion that effectively in' fluences the spending of homeowner disposable income for home improvement.

The sponsoring associations are: National Assn. of Home Builders, Na' tional Home Improvement Councilo National Lumber and Building Ma' terial Dealers Assn.; National Remodelers Assn. and National Retail Hardware Assn.

In 1973, more than thirty million people will read about the better living advantages and improved community environment they can enjoy through home improvement. The combined special sections of consumer publications and newspapers during May Home Improvement Month will total thousands of pages to encourage the homeowner to improve his home. Consumer publications that have announced special I9?3 Home Improvement Time sections and issues include American Home, House Beaul,iful, House & Gard,en, Remod,eling Cuid,e, Better Homes and Gardens and Home Remodeling.