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The Cutting Edge^™ January 2005

Public Policy

2005 WMMA Public Policy Fly-In Update; NAM Events Celebrate Manufacturing

So far, over 40 WMMA members and 25 sister-association members have signed up to participate in the 2005 WMMA Public Policy Fly-In, in Washington, DC. Are you among them? If not, there is still time to express your interest in participating. Simply email jconey@fernley.com to confirm your attendance, and then make your travel arrangements! This is a fully-reimbursable event for WMMA members. If you serve on a WMMA committee, your presence is especially requested, as your committees will meet during the day on Tuesday, February 15th.

The next important step is for Fly-In participants to make appointments to meet with your legislators on February 16th! The sooner you can secure an appointment, the better. Please share your confirmed appointment time with headquarters, so that we can coordinate your appointment with other constituents in your area, if need be.

Two key players in manufacturing are confirmed to address our group in DC! Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) will present the keynote address at the February 15th Legislative Briefing & Dinner. And Albert A. Frink, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services in the Department of Commerce will address the breakfast meeting of the Woodworking Industry Leadership Forum on Wednesday, February 16th.

In November of 2004, Sen. Stabenow was elected the third-ranking Democrat in the Senate by her Democratic colleagues. She has been an active proponent for the strength of manufacturing in the U.S. and in Michigan, throughout the course of her service as a Senator. WMMA President Peter Perez has helped the Senator's message reach her constituents in Grand Rapids, and his cultivated relationship with the Senator helped WMMA in securing her presence on the evening of February 15th.

NAM Hosts "72 Hours to Educate & Celebrate"
All WMMA Fly-In participants are also welcome to attend the National Association of Manufacturers' (NAM) Fly-In event, "72 Hours to Educate & Celebrate."

Manufacturers Week in Washington:
72 Hours to Educate and Celebrate
February 15-17, 2005
Washington, D.C.

Starting on February 15th through February 17th, manufacturers - large, medium and small - will travel to Washington, D.C. There will be several different events during these three days. All revolve around the NAM's Congressional Awards Reception and Welcome to the Freshman Class on February 16th and all share one common goal: the opportunity to meet legislators and leave a durable impression of who we are, what we stand for, why manufacturing matters and why manufacturers believe so strongly in our pro-growth, pro-worker agenda.

To review NAM's three day agenda and register, click here http://www.nam.org/s_nam/sec.asp?CID=202008&DID=232511. Expenses, including hotel and travel related to NAM's event, are at your company's expense, and are not included in the reimbursable expenses from WMMA.

Table of Contents
A Message from the President - The Year in Review 2004 and Focusing on the Future
2005 WMMA Public Policy Fly-In Update; NAM Events Celebrate Manufacturing
Presidential Initiatives
Small Business Legislative Council Announces 2005 Priorities
Building a Culture of Improvement: Employees of a Somerset, MA Millwork Company Create Solid Foundation for Change
WIC 2005 Registration Has Begun!
Call for 2005 Baldwin Award Nominations
What Is On the Minds of WMMA Members - Results of a Quick Survey