The FTC is currently set to begin enforcing Red Flags Rule compliance on Tuesday, June 1, 2010.  All dealers either should have or should be ready to implement their compliance practices. 

Dealers should be ready come Nov. 1st and should also have created a business-specific policy which aligns with protocol set forth in the Red Flags Rule.  To review the rule, please Click Here. 

NADA Management Education previously released a guide to assist with U.S. dealer compliance.  A Dealer Guide to the FTC RedFlags and Address Discrepancy Rules: Protecting Against Identity Theft (L50) explains the requirements under the Rule, and includes detailed, step-by-step guidance on developing the written program required under the RedFlags Rule, as well as a sample written program, worksheets and other helpful materials.  NADA dealer members should have received one free copy of this, but if you need additional copies, please visit the NADA Management Education online catalog at www.nada.org/mecatalog or call NADA Management Education at (703) 821-7227.

MADA is pleased to provide the following upcoming educational and training opportunities for our members:

 Health Care Reform Sessions

Kelly Benefit Strategies will host two FREE sessions in June which will cover the recent Health Care Reform. Take this opportunity to interpret recent health care legislation and the effect it may have on your organization's health care plan. Contribute to the development of your organization's strategic plan and ensure that your benefit program is compliant with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

The first session will be held on Tuesday, June 8th, 8am at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD.  

The second session will be held on Thursday, June 10th, 8:30am at the Hunt Valley Embassy Suites in Hunt Valley, MD. 

 Click here to RSVP for either event!

 OSHA Compliance Webinar

KPA will host a FREE webinar covering OSHA compliance and business preparation for upcoming OSHA inspections.  With the increased enforcement of OSHA, EPA and DOT regulations in the Mid Atlantic region, you must be prepared when an inspector knocks on your door. This webinar will teach you how to be ready for a random inspection ahead of time to minimize violations and costly fines. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16th at 10am. 

Click here to RSVP for the webinar!

Surprisingly, very few Marylanders outside of the State government realizes this is an election year.  And it's a fairly big one.  The Governor and all members of the Maryland General Assembly are up for re-election.  As business owners, you may be more familiar with the candidates than most Marylanders simply because of the constant fundraising mail you receive.  MADA receives all the same fundraiser requests you do.  The reasons are twofold:

1) MADA's lobbying team maintains very close relationships with legislators throughout the year

2) the MADA Political Action Committee (PAC) is one of the more financially robust in the state. 

MADA makes contributions to legislators that have been friends to our industry.  MADA also makes contributions to those legislators that may hold key positions when important issues like taxes or health care is up for debate.  A member of MADA's legislative team often goes to fundraising events across the state, but sometimes two events are held at the same time or too far apart from each other.  MADA welcomes dealer members to attend these events.  Legislators would rather see business member constituents at local events over Annapolis lobbyists.  Of course, dealers are welcome to make personal contributions to legislative campaigns, but feel free to contact MADA to see if the PAC has already made a donation to a particular candidate.

While MADA maintains a healthy PAC, the pot always dries up quickly in an election year.  Financial support requests come in from democrats, republicans, incumbents, challengers, party leaders and community activists.  The PAC needs to be flush with ample reserves at all times.  MADA temporarily halted fundraising efforts for the PAC during the last 24 months as the automobile industry struggled to stay on its feet.  As car sales slowly start to rise, MADA asks that you keep the PAC in mind.  The financial power we bring to Annapolis has helped us achieve past legislative victories, such as stronger franchise laws, the trade-in difference, and the processing charge fee increase. 

Out of all the fundraising requests you receive, the MADA PAC is the most important as MADA carries the voice on the entire industry when a contribution comes directly from us.  We strongly urge you to consider a financial contribution to the MADA PAC in 2010.