Letter from the Chairman
Division of Responsibilties
PAUL THOMAS | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Recently, I have heard some confusion about how the CHARR organization acts upon issues affecting our industry. Over the years, much effort has been put into developing the best path to handle issues efficiently, both statewide and locally, and to avoid the pitfalls of opposing positions dividing us or weakening the message. Sometimes, the physical location of the office in Anchorage confuses the issue. But Anchorage, like the rest of the state, has a local affiliate and board members, Cook Inlet CHARR.
Alaska CHARR is set up for local affiliates to take the lead, provide the manpower, and be the main point of contact on local issues. Of course, local affiliates also provide input on state issues as part of the statewide organization. The inverse is true for Alaska State CHARR, which takes the lead on statewide issues and provides input on local issues to the affiliate. Years ago, we incorporated this into our affiliate agreements to make it clear who will lead on issues and ensure the message on any topic comes out as clearly and concisely as possible from the right level of the organization.
“ The local affiliate will be the definitive voice of the industry on local issues and Alaska CHARR will not take a position contrary to the local affiliate on local issues.
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ALASKA CHARR IS SET UP FOR LOCAL AFFILIATES TO TAKE THE LEAD, PROVIDE THE MANPOWER, AND BE THE MAIN POINT OF CONTACT ON LOCAL ISSUES
Alaska CHARR is encouraged to provide input on local issues to the local CHARR affiliate.
Alaska CHARR will be the definitive voice of the industry on statewide issues and no affiliate will take a position contrary to Alaska CHARR on statewide issues.
Local affiliates are encouraged to provide input on statewide issues to Alaska CHARR.”
Our local affiliates should be ready and willing to take on their local issues. State CHARR will always be there with support, but that lead role needs to be held by the local affiliate organization, its members, and its local board. Strengthening our local affiliates will also free Alaska State CHARR to handle statewide or even national issues, legislation, member services, training programs, industry promotion, and coordination.
Alaska State CHARR’ s strength, impact on state issues, recognition by state leaders, and willingness to talk with us before implementing actions that affect our industry comes not only from our office, lobbyist, and staff connections but, more importantly, from our affiliates and their members. Having strong, highly recognized affiliates around the state is a key part of CHARR’ s work. If you aren’ t active with your local affiliate, reach out and make a connection now. While as affiliates we are often at our strongest in response to a local crisis, having those connections in place speeds the response and strengthens our recognition in our local community.
ALASKA CHARR MAGAZINE | 2