Invitations have been mailed for the 2014 Maryland Automobile Dealers Association Foundation Gala which will be held on Saturday, November 8th at the Columbia Country Club in Bethesda, MD.  

 

We look forward to celebrating our 5th anniversary event with you in November!  Just a reminder that the RSVP deadline is next Friday, October 31st, so please reserve your spot at the table soon!  An electronic version of the invitation can be downloaded HERE.   

MADA congratulates Jody Zepp, a government and psychology teacher at Hammond High School in Howard County, who was recently named the 2014-15 Maryland Teacher of the Year.  Ms. Zepp was selected from seven finalists.  MADA Chairman, Tom Walls, attended the Gala event on October 10th and presented Ms. Zepp with the keys to her prize, a 2015 Ford Escape.  MADA annually rewards the winning teacher with a brand new car

Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lillian Lowery, who announced the winning teacher had the following to say about the special talents of the new Maryland Teacher of the Year.  "Jody is a dedicated and passionate teacher who brings energy and innovation to her classroom.  She is committed to the success of all of her students, and helps prepare them for college and career.  Her inspiring efforts reflect the best of our State's education system."

A political science graduate of McDaniel College, Ms. Zepp also holds a masters in political science from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.  She is the 2014 Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher from Howard County and has received a variety of other teaching awards.  She has coached the EconChallenge Maryland State Champions and C-SPAN Documentary winners. Ms. Zepp has increased minority student enrollment in Advanced Placement courses and has improved minority student success rates on AP and other exams.

"That I am able to teach and reach students-at all levels-who might otherwise fall through the 'cracks' is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of teacher contribution and accomplishment," Ms. Zepp said.  "To me, this represents the whole of what I strive for as an educator."

The Maryland Teacher of the Year goes on to compete for the esteemed National Teacher of the Year Award, to be announced next April. Maryland has had a history of national success with its Teacher of the Year Program; three teachers from Maryland have received the national honor since 2006.  MADA congratulates Jody and we send her off, in style and with best wishes, in her new Ford Escape!

In Memoriam  

On November 4th Marylanders will go to the polls.  Many voters often overlook the ballot questions and focus only on the candidates for office.  However, in 2014 voters will have a chance to significantly improve Maryland's transportation system and reduce congestion by voting FOR QUESTION 1!
 
Background: Over the last few years Maryland elected officials diverted over $1 billion from your gas taxes, vehicle registration fees and other sources that were supposed to be used for local transportation improvements.  Those monies were never refunded.
 
What does Question 1 do?  Question 1 would create a constitutional amendment to prohibit any raiding of Maryland's Transportation Trust Fund.  This "lockbox" would ensure Maryland's transportation dollars are used only for transportation projects.
 
Why vote FOR Question 1?  Maryland has some of the worst traffic conditions in the U.S. and a long lit of transportation improvements that would help reduce congestion, improve safety, create jobs, and boost our economy.  Those projects could all be derailed if Maryland fails to protect the Transportation Trust Fund.
 
How can you help?  MADA needs to spread the word to employees in your companies about the importance of voting FOR Question 1.  Please forward this or use our printable flyer to distribute this information via email, payroll stuffers, intranet systems or other means.   
 
Learn more at http://voteformd1.com.  You can also read the full text of Question 1.
 

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), businesses may obtain credit reports when considering applications for credit, insurance or employment, or those situations where consumers initiate a business transaction.

Written Authorization Needed

If a business transaction has not taken place, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires written authorization prior to obtaining customer credit checks. The following scenarios do not initiate a

business transaction and, therefore, need written authorization to obtain a credit check:

• A request to test drive a vehicle;
• window shopping;
• general conversations over the telephone or by e-mail;
• discussing general finance terms, in that it does not indicate an intent to purchase a vehicle. The fact that a customer inquires about prices and financing does not necessarily indicate an intent to purchase or lease a vehicle; or
• negotiating with a customer.

Written Authorization Not Required

Besides obtaining a credit report via written authorization, dealers can also obtain a credit report after these legitimate business transactions:

• when the dealer intends to use the information in connection with an actual credit transaction;
• for collection of a consumer's account owed to the dealer; or
• with the intention to use the information for employment purposes.

Depending on how a dealer receives customer information may indicate when and how a credit report can be obtained:

Credit information may be obtained over the phone only if the customer has initiated a business transaction. It is recommended dealers obtain written authorization, permissible via fax, when taking credit information over the phone. The same standard applies regardless of whether the dealer gathers the information or it is gathered by a 1-800 service. Dealers are also advised to only release the results of the check when the customer comes to the dealership and provides photo identification.

It is not enough for Internet customers to provide implied authorization by clicking "yes" to a question asking whether they permit the dealer to do a credit check. A mouse click does not equal "written authorization."

The FCRA does allow electronic customer consent when a customer initiates a transaction and completes a credit application on a website or by e-mail. The submission by the customer of an electronic application for credit gives rise to a permissible purpose to obtain a credit report without the customer's written authorization. However, if the customer has not submitted a credit application or otherwise has not initiated a purchase transaction, written permission is still required.

Dealer on-line credit applications could be printed out and faxed to the dealership. The FTC views customer authorization conveyed by fax as written permission and, therefore, in compliance of the FCRA.

The latest version of Auto Outlook which covers the latest sales and market trends in Maryland is now available.  To download a copy, please Click Here.

MADA reports that a dealership group with stores located in Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties is actively seeking to interview and hire a new human resources manager.  The position will work out of a Glen Burnie location. Any interested applicants should contact Katie Jones Guroian with MADA at 800.526.7423 or kjones@mdauto.org to receive further information. 

New Webinar Announced from DealersEdge 

Join us for this Webinar featuring Jodi Kippe and Kara Perkins from the Retail Dealer Group at Crowe Horwath LLP as they detail how some dealer groups have attained savings and improved efficiencies by consolidating. You don't want to miss learning the steps to develop a unique plan for success.  This webinar will cover the following:

• What accounting positions can be centralized
• Examples of organizational structures
• How to customize for your operational and accounting process
• Why a standard chart of accounts is essential
• How to make the best use of technology in the centralization process
• Ways to streamline reporting and other accounting processes