Work - Fun - Sun Mark Arizona Convention

by DON DICK

A S WE TOOK the cab from the Yuma airport into the A. $131ds5t Hotel. scene of the 27th annual cbnvention of the Arizona Retail Lumber and Builders Supply Association, the driver remarked that it was a good thing that the convention wasn't a couple of weeks later, for the hot weather would really start then. \A/ell, we thought that the weather in mid-April was-among other convention qualitiesabout perfect, and even though it was 100 degrees on the Sunday we left, we still liked it. A great state, Arizona, and this one of the most enjoyable conventions.

Activities began Thursday morning, April 13, with the annual tournament at beautiful Yuma Country Club. The convention was formally called to order that afternoon at 2:00 p.m. by President Pete Pollock of Clifton, and the conventioneers were welcomed to Yuma by Mayor George E. Shackleford.

Main speaker was Walter T. Howard, Director of Technical Promotion on the Association staff, who discussed in detail this phase of the Association work. He presented for inspection the numerous pieces of literature which were being distributed in support of the use of wood products. He also detailed the exhibit put on at the Ramada Inn before the State Association of School Superintendents and School Boards, and spoke of the tremendous interest shown by these people and by architects who today are designing many projects for the educational institutions.

Howard also ontlined the new AIA File 19 which is being personally delivered to every architect and structural engineer in Arizona. This volume, completely indexed, makes it easier for architects and engineers to call for the use of wood products in the structures they design. This book is available to lumber dealers at a cost of $8.50 per copy.

Concluding event was the showing of a film demonstrating the use of styrofoam for docks and rafts, presented by Ed Rogers of the f)ow Chemical Company, Midland, Michi- gan. Much interest was evidenced, especially from those dealers who have contacts near Arizona's lakes. It was pointed out that almost 9,000 people in the state have boats and that this is one of the fastest-growing sports in America.

Rogers also showed a film which demonstrated the use of styrofoam for plaster base in masonry construction which, it is said. can cut down installation and maintenance costs in air conditioning.

Golf again Friday morning, and let us mention at this point that the refreshment wagon (a converted VW Camper), hosted by Southwest Forest Industries, which daily made the rounds of the course and also the sprawling hotel grounds, proved in the hot weather to be as welcome as a St. Bernard with brandy cask on the top of Mt. Blanc.

Friday afternoon's business session was indeed a valuable and workmanlike meeting, with high attendance. J. C. Oldham, manager of sales promotion and advertising for the United States Gypsum Company, Los Angeles, led off with a presentation of U.S.G.'s film, "Teamwork for Profit." This high-qrrality color film presented in detail a program by which a dealer in his own establishment can better coordinate his operation, improve inter-office communications and increase his ernployees' sense of responsibility for and participation in the firm's work and objectives.

In practical operation, the "Teamwork for Profit" workshop meetings are intended to accomplish these objectives:

1. Let employees know what to do.

2. Establish clear-cut decisions on who is going to do it. dealer) are going

3. Get employees' understanding of how you (the to control the action.

4. Make it easy for them to become involved.

The Workshop technique recognizes a basic fact of business life-that employees are concerned about their jobs and their company, and that they should be encouraged to take responsible participation. The result? Better com-