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WAYN E GARDNER executive vice president

l' I EW DIRECTORS have been elected I n the retail and wholesale division of LASC and at the Palm Springs Conference, Nov. 13-16. new officers will be chosen for 1986.

These individuals, who are selected by their peers, will bring new direction to the association as does each group oi new officers. That is as it should be. New people generate new ideas. They will be assisted by a strategic planning committee.

A number of years ago a committee developed a five year plan for LASC. It gave LASC officers aguide to follow in directing the association. As is so frequently the case, we became absorbed in other matters, mainly survival, and no work was done to extend the five year plan. Many of the recommendations implemented at the time carry over into today to give the association a sense of direction.

The time has come though to start seriously looking at the future of LASC and the industry. To prepare for this, Jim Frodsham of South Bay Forest Products has been selected as chairman of the strategic planning committee. He has selected his committee and work has begun.

It might be called "future perspectives." One thing that will be eliminated is that feeling that every business so often hasheyit's today and we haven't even coped with yesterday's problems. With planning, we can avoid what could be tomorrow's problems with proper direction today.

Where will the lumber and building materials industry be in five years or even next year? That's what the committee will be determining so that association activities will be in line with and ahead of member needs.

With the research that has been conducted over the past few years, some degree ofcertainty can be placed on projections into the future. Demographic projections can be regarded as statistically reliable for l0 to 15 years. Technological forecasts are good for 5 to l0 years. Significant changes in economic performance unfortunately are not predictable for more than 90 days in advance. Reliable projections about the basic nature of economic activity in the U.S. over the next 5 to l0 years, including probable evolutionary trends, can be made because large systems are enormously stable. Our economic system is the largest in the world.

Population trends tell us something of the future need for housing and the type of housing needed. More women will be coming into the work force. Potential employees and new hires will be underqualified for the jobs that are available. This indicates a need for training programs either by the employer or by the association or both. There will be fewer young people entering the work force over the next decade. Higher wages may be necessary even though the employee is underqualified.

This is only a part of what the strategic planning committee must look at to develop a long term program for LASC or any organization.

The plan that ultimately is developed will be beneficial to every member of the in- dustry but will benefit most of all, those farsighted, progressive individuals who choose to be members of the Lumber Association of Southern California. The forces of the future will be working for them, not against them, because they plan and have a strong industry organization such as LASC behind them.

NORTHWEST NEWS (Continued from

page 23) you're replacing can be donated to charities for office use or resale. Besides earning goodwill, you may be able to take a tax deduction on such donations. o Offer the use of your meeting room or other open space, if practical, for afterbusiness-hours use by local nonpolitical goups. Here again, you may be able to take a charitable tax deduction for outofpocket costs involved. r Look for ways to help people directly: a scholarship fund; company assistance to a Meals-on-Wheels program for the elderly; a contribution for a child who needs expensive surgery. Special gestures show your company c€[es. o Open up your company bulletin boards to employees who want to post educational or charitable announcements. Let employees know that the company is interested in supporting the community groups that they are involved with.

Observation: Taking actions such as these will not only help your company, but will also help give business in general a good name. There can be no better image for a profession than someone who exemplifies the best values of that field. You can become that example, a model businessperson, in the eyes of your employees as well as your community. It makes it known that you are a responsible contributing member of the local community.

E.J. JOHNSON executive vice president

/lS WE LOOK to the close of 1985, it Isgsrns to be a favorite time for businessmen to reflect upon the profitability or worthwhileness of the past year's activities.

As one might imagine, the business year will be treated with mixed reviews from various quarters. Some will look back at a changing economic climate which spawned increased competition. Others will view changing times as opportunities to pursue new markets. Considerations must always be given to labor and ever increasing employee health costs, etc. Whatever the rationalizations or justifications that are to be made, the fact remains that the spending public once again gave businessmen everywhere an opportunity to cash in on their buying habits. Or, to put it another way, the public always does its job, no matter what their cumulative efforts amount to -the rest is up to the businessman!

Here in Arizona. businesses are blessed with one outstanding factor that is not pre-