MADA hosted yet another successful Annual Membership Meeting and Legislative Reception this past Tuesday, January 18 in Annapolis.  We were pleased to see many of our members and to host  returning and new members of Maryland's legislative body. 

Past-chairman, Sam Weaver, discussed Association highlights from 2010.  Chief among these were the creation of our new charitable foundation, the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association Foundation.  The Foundation Board of Trustees set a goal to raise $25,000 in the first year and our members generously gave over $100,000 in financial support to the fledgling non-profit! 

Peter Kitzmiller discussed our Legislative victories in 2010 and highlighted the speed with which MADA addressed any bills which posed a negative threat to our industry.  He also mentioned that Maryland was the one state to have a positive impact on the entire national business climate. "Dealers of this state did more at the national level than any other state. Maryland was the one state to receive a score of 100% by NADA for addressing, head-on, those issues that were most important." 
 

Past-Chairman, Sam Weaver, new Chairperson, Marisa Shockley, and rising Vice-Chairman, Tom Walls.

We thank all of our members who attended the meeting and reception.  We had great attendance from the legislative body.  MADA's staff is hard at work in Annapolis to represent your interests as a franchised dealer. 

Speaker of the House, Michael Busch, attended the 2011 Annual Membership Meeting as our guest speaker.  A supporter of MADA and our work on State Circle, Speaker Busch thanked MADA and our members for their support of Maryland's public education system.  "A strong educational foundation is a large part of what makes Maryland such a strong state," he commented. 
 

Speaker of the House, Michael Busch

He went on to praise our legislative efforts on State Circle, but stressed the importance of dealers getting involved and nurturing a personal connection with their elected officials.  "Get involved," he said, "invite your Legislator to your dealership. Educate them, tell them how many people you employ, your impact on the local and state economy.  Tell them of all the good deeds you do in your community and the support you provide."  Without having the personal connection, he cautioned that a phone call when problems arise will have little to no impact.  As MADA President, Peter Kitzmiller, reiterated later in the night, "you need to have a relationship and you need to know your local legislator." 

At the 2011 Annual Membership Meeting, Maryland's 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year, Michelle Shearer, a high school AP Chemistry teacher from Urbana High School in Frederick County,  thanked our dealer members and the Association for their very generous support of the TOY Program.  Ms. Shearer was gracious as she told us of how the new gift has impacted her life.  "This is the nicest car my husband, also a teacher, and I have ever had," she said, "it's the perfect gift. As Teacher of the Year, I'm going to do a lot of driving in the next year and I'll drive my new car proudly as a symbol of your commitment to Maryland's public school teachers."   
 

Michelle Shearer, Maryland Teacher of the Year 2010-2011

We were also thrilled to learn from Darla Strouse of the Maryland State Department of Education that Ms. Shearer has been named one of four finalists chosen to compete in the National Teacher of the Year award.  The winner will be announced in April at the White House by President Obama.  Congratulations Michelle!  

MADA is excited to host our members at the 2011 NADA Convention in San Francisco, CA!  Register today for the MADA/WANADA/VADA Reception. Event details are as follows:

Saturday, February 5, 2011 : 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Julia Morgan Ballroom, Merchants Exchange Building, 15th Floor

465 California Street

San Francisco, CA

Please note!

All RSVPs should be directed to Natalie Toler (VADA) at 804.545.3035 or ntoler@vada.com

A copy of the invitation is available for download here.

Dealers are reminded to visit the MVA's website for the latest dealer bulletin containing important business updates on the following topics:

• Walk-in Registration Renewals
• 9, 12, or 15 Passenger Vans
• Temporary Tag Plastic Sleeves
• Cardboard Temporary Plates

We thank our members who have already paid their 2011 dues.  If you or your company have not paid your 2011 dues, please do so as soon as possible.
 

February 5, 2011 - MADA/VADA/WANADA Reception at NADA Convention, Julia Morgan Ballroom at Merchants Exchange Building

February 5-7, 2011 - NADA Convention and Expo, San Francisco, CA

February 10-13, 2011 - Motor Trend International Auto Show-Baltimore