News   July 17, 2007 - Executive Directors from several states gathered together in San Diego, California at the NAA Conference & Show. The second annual meeting of the Council of Affiliated State Auctioneers Associations was lively and productive for all who attended. Executive Directors from State Auctioneers Associations have gathered for years to discuss ideas and learn from each other. In 2006, the group of state leaders organized this prestigious group to create an information source and central learning place for executive directors of state auctioneers associations. The Council for Affiliated State Auctioneers Associations 2007 annual meeting was held in the Devonshire room at the Town and Country Resort, July 17, 2007 in San Diego, CA. The meeting was called to order at 1:30 PM by Council Chair Tricia Wiltjer (Michigan) with the following persons also present: Charles Whitley, Kentucky; Jeanie Crowl, Pennsylvania; Pam Nixon, Tennessee; Ora Adler, Nebraska; Lynne Zink, Maryland; Kathy Humphries, Texas; Frank Imholte, Minnesota; and Maxine O'Brien, Arizona, Illinois and Wisconsin. Election: O'Brien nominated for Sec-Treasurer but declined. She nominated Frank Imholte, elected by acclamation. A motion to accept the current slate of officers with Tricia Wiltjer remaining as Chair, Jeanie Crowl as Vice Chair and Frank Imholte as Secretary/Treasurer. Motion carried. General Announcements: Tricia asked how many states are or plan to contribute to NAA Capital Campaign inasmuch as Shively suggested larger states should contribute $25,000. As far as we know, Minnesota and Kentucky and Ohio each pledged $25,000. Wisconsin pledged $5,000, Illinois pledged $500. A discussion was held regarding Auctioneers/eBay acting as auctioneers. Some felt the NAA does a side step to avoid the issue. Most felt that an awareness of eBay’s power must be noted. Pros and cons of eBay and storefront licensing were discussed. Jeanie reported Pennsylvania is investing all of their excess funds in a legislative effort to stop eBay. Membership and Group benefits: Tricia encouraged all present to post their event on the website and led a review of same. Maxine reported she uses Shearer Printing & Office Solutions (Steve Schubert) of Kokoma. They do great work and are very expedient. Can provide proofs by email for approval and/or correction and will do mailing if list is provided. Those present wrote down publication quantifies and publication dates. She will investigate the possibility of a group discount for any CASAA members. Inquiry as to how many conduct exit interviews when members do not renew. Imholte reported Josten's does Minnesota State Champion Ring. Contact person is Stephanie Peterson. Larry Harb introduced insurance program where E & O & CCC insurance that may be purchased at a discounted rate if a member their state association (if the state association contracts to have the program). The program was well received. Participating State Associations will receive $100 to association per policy first year; $50 each renewal. Members and licensees get discount. Other: NAA President Sheridan, President-Elect Tommy Williams and CEO Bob Shively joined the group for a brief time. Tommy said he will be on quarterly conference calls. NAA conference calls were discussed and it was agreed to e-mail Joyce with items for the agenda for future conference calls. The NAA will send the President’s message to all associations. It was noted by Mr. Sheridan that NAA would do a paper on ethics/grievance committee to increase the ethical behavior of the members. May lose NAA members however will lessen exposure. Further discussion included loss of NAA membership if an auctioneer loses his/her license. This needs to be delivered by the board as primary information. The goal is to raise ourselves to a new level and all must review the code of ethics. CASAA needs to identify five major things we want from the NAA. What agenda additions should there be, if any should be added to the agenda ahead of time so concerns can be addressed. Meeting adjourned 5:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Frank Imholte, Secretary Frank@SolditatAuction.com December 13, 2006 - Select State Auctioneers Association Executive Directors traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana for the second leadership forum. NAA president, Bill Sheridan, met with a select group of state auctioneer association executive directors in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Directors asked to attend the meeting were Frank Imholte, Executive Director of the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association, Maxine O'Brien, Executive Director of the Illinois, Arizona and Wisconsin Auctioneers Associations, Charles Whitley, Executive Director of the Kentucky Auctioneers Association, and Tricia Wiltjer, Executive Director of the Michigan State Auctioneers Association. Also attending were Bob Shively, NAA CEO, and Ashley Herman, NAA State Association Services Manager. The day long meeting was to discuss the relationship between the state associations and NAA, NAA's State Association Management Program, NAA's Conference & Show, the State Leadership Forum and many other great impromptu topics that came up during the meeting. This gave the State Association Executive Directors time to discuss issues with NAA as well as time to spend with NAA's President, William L Sheridan of Mason Michigan, to candidly talk about the relationship between NAA and the states. These discussions prompted healthy discussion of what NAA and the states can do to help each other acheive their goals, which is to service their members and the auction industry in the best possible way. Some ideas that came out of the meeting included: A request for the NAA advertising department to clarify what states are represented on the ad rate spec sheet that is posted on the Website and how to secure information for the other states. A request for NAA to consider creating a newsletter in conjunction with the NAA Board of Directors Meetings for State President’s as an update on what’s happening within the association and the industry. A suggestion for NAA to work with the NAA conference and show photographer to set specific times during the week for state associations to have their group picture taken. A request for NAA to discuss with current credit card program provider the possibility of state associations using the same program. NAA is no longer soliciting Fun Auction donations from the States but States can donate items if they wish (NAA is changing the focus away from the Fun Auction and have spread normal dollars received into registration). NAA is also launching a new mentor program for Conference & Show. Funding Initiative—Investing In The Future – Bob Shively also discussed the National Auctioneers Foundations Funding Initiative and the opportunities available to state associations if they choose to participate.