The PWNA, the Board of Directors, and the membership all must adhere to a set of standards and business ethics. We do this to set our membership apart from the stigma that is placed on today's "contractor" for many reasons. One is that we want our membership to be considered the "best of the best" in our industry. We want to be able to market to the end users that you can find the most successful and well trained pressure washing contractors in the membership of the PWNA. As an association this requires a certain level of responsibility. The PWNA and its Board of Directors have stepped up to the plate to require a different set of standards to ourselves and our membership. These responsibilities include ethical issues such as being courteous to all and treating others in the same regard as we would want to be treated, being in attendance and punctual for meetings, being accessible to the membership, conducting ourselves in a professional manner, and so forth. These standards will not be compromised because once we do we lessen what it is that we do stand for.

This letter is not about what makes certain people tick and varying agendas that cause people to do some of the things they do. Sometimes there is little rhyme or reason to certain actions. One issue that continues to haunt our industry is the negativity that we see so prevalent in society. Negative energy takes so much more effort and is far less productive than positive energy. Has anyone ever been motivated by a negative person? Positive people with positive energy are not only productive but have a contagious and motivating persona about them. These folks are difference makers. These folks are PWNA members! There are so many avenues and forums today for the negative "haters" out there, that it has become a three ring entertainment circle on the internet. What once seemed to be a positive, easily accessible tool for learning has now become a feeding ground for many of those with too much time on their hands that could be better served in their own businesses or truly helping the industry's association to move forward. The efforts of these negative folks, if turned into positive energy would take this industry to another level. A level where we are more respected for environmental issues, as responsible contract cleaners, and a credible industry. It seems that anymore there is a group that gives themselves much too much credit and can not wait to attack the person that does not conform with their "cause of the week or month." It is a disgrace to Google items that concern our industry and go to sites where there are endless attacks on fellow contractors and volunteers who are working to gain credibility for the entire industry and NOT for a certain few.

There will never be a way to make everyone happy; if we did we would probably be doing something wrong and constantly changing our standards to make "everyone" happy. We encourage all people in our industry to be positive and productive. Instead of constantly trying to tear down, try building up. This is the direction of the PWNA and its membership, to build up the industry with ethical and professional people who care about reaching that level of credibility for our industry.

Legacy Management has now been operating the PWNA headquarters for one year now. The changes that have been made to the overall operations of the association have been remarkable. There is a new logo in place and all association documents have been updated and now have a more professional look to them. There has been a new tracking system in place to better record member activity and communications. Membership is increasing at record numbers over the past two months as compared to previous years. We are working with other associations and communicating with them joint ventures that coincide with the diversity of our industry as it relates to different areas of pressure washing. A new website has been put in place. This website has a new function where ANY member can place their information on the site and receive job leads that is much more improved than any previous programs (please contact us to learn how you can get your information on the PWNA website). The list of accomplishments and activities that have happened in the past year are numerous. We encourage you to contact us for more on member benefits and current events.

The recent letter should not be viewed as a threat; it should be viewed as an opportunity. It is an opportunity to continue to grow and change, it is an opportunity to continue to adapt and rework our methods of management and communications to address both strengths and weaknesses. Keep in mind, Legacy Management has reworked many of our systems in the past year and continues to work on better methods everyday. The PWNA is honored to have such a dedicated team in place. This is an opportunity for us once again to prove ourselves. The PWNA welcomes phone calls, e-mails, and any other form of communication to discuss any topic, any time. This is the industry's association and does not belong to those with agendas who flip flop who they are friends with this week and which causes they think will be popular to pick up so that they get more traffic on a website. The PWNA does not belong in this drama. We do however need to be accountable to the membership and the industry, and WE WILL. You will not see the PWNA publicly embarrass authors of letters or posters on internet sites who do not research the facts and publish mistruths, half truths, and outright lies. Records and minutes are kept that refute much of the nonsense contained in the recent letter and internet gossip. The PWNA is considering ALL options in addressing those that are slandering the association with intent to cause havoc and doubt for their own gain and self importance. We also appreciate the folks who have called in the past two days to ask questions, it has been a pleasure to discuss the PWNA with you. This has led to 3 new members and 12 new prospects, all of whom were sent an application for membership. We welcome this opportunity and hope that if anyone has any questions about the standards, ethics, or direction of the association that you contact us at info@thepwna.org, call Legacy Management at our headquarters 1-800-393-7962, or contact any Board Member to have your questions answered. Another option that was added when Everett Abrams became President was the addition of the Ethics Committee which is chaired by Board Member, Charlie Arnold. Charlie can be contacted by e-mail revca@mchsi.com or by phone 1-302-542-9783.