What You Need to Know
To Elevate and Unite Automotive Professionals, and Give Them Voice 

Like ASCCA on Our New Facebook Page 

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Please visit us on our new Facebook page. We look forward to your comments and shared experiences. We will be posting information, links and events as a way to continue supporting our community and advancing our industry. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to "Like" us as well! We look forward to hearing from you soon!

 

 ASCCA and CAWA Host Successful Leadership Summit

  

Sacramento, CA - February 11, 2013 - The Automotive Service Councils of California (ASCCA) and California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesalers' Association (CAWA) hosted the fourth annual Aftermarket Summit on February 9, 2013, in Newport Beach, CA. The summit continues to grow, and the two organizations attracted more than 125 participants representing both independent repair facilities and aftermarket parts and manufacturers and distributors. Additionally, the California Autobody Association (CAA), California Automotive Business Coalition (CalABC), and State of California Auto Dismantlers Association (SCADA) also participated.

 

Please click here for the full Press Release.   

  

 

ASCCA Team Weekend Round-Up

By Glenn Davis 

 

The February ASCCA Team Weekend just finished as I'm writing this report. Wow! What a weekend. Saturday morning, members of ASCCA and CAWA (California Automotive Wholesalers Association - The parts people) met for a 3 hour open roundtable discussion about issues that affect our industries. Topics included;

 

  • How do parts distributors decide what parts to stock?
  • How does the "right to repair" legislation passed in Massachusetts affect California shop owners?
  • Lessons learned from our victory on SB750 and the effectiveness of grassroots campaigning.
  • What will the new brake pad regulations mean for shop owners in California?
  • How can our associations attract new employees to our industries?

 

This meeting, held every year really opened the gate of communication between our groups. By better understanding both sides of our businesses, we stand a better chance to maximize profits and improve customer service.

 

The Saturday afternoon sessions of the ASCCA committee meetings really proved how dedicated our all-star volunteers are at improving\protecting\informing our members.

 

Public Relations

The new "Sign You Can Trust" consumer outreach program is up and running. The new sign is a great way to educate consumers about your professional commitment to servicing their vehicles. To get the new sign contact staff at [email protected] and order yours today.

 

Education and Training

ASCCA will be staging new training track programs by General Motors and RLO - management training for shop owners and their techs. Keep a watch out on the "What You Need to Know" and Team Talk for updates on dates and prices.

 

Government Affairs

Absolutely the most important thing ASCCA does for it's members. Craig Johnson (committee chair) and his 20+ members of Govcomm met and discussed over 14 issues concerning everything from the new smog check program to the new brake inspection regulations to wallet flushing issues. You can be assured that ASCCA has got your back! You'll be the first ones to know when something that affects your business happens...stay tuned

 

Leg Day

This year, Leg Day will be on April 16, 2013. We are asking everyone to attend this incredibly important meeting. Our grassroots efforts start and stop with our relationships that are built at these types of meet and greets. Let the legislators get to know you and understand your issues. There are over 40 new representatives at the state capitol and they need to hear from you. Go to the ASCCA website events page and sign up to be there.

 

ASCCA Summer Conference

This year ASCCA will have it's Annual Summer Conference at the same location as last year, The Irvine Hilton in Irvine, CA on June 21-23rd. There will be some great management speakers, ASCCA endorsed vendors, industry supporting vendors, raffles and some great camaraderie. There will also be a drawing to win a new Launch Scan Tool! Make sure to mark your calendars now.

 

As you can see, your membership in ASCCA keeps you the most informed, best educated and profitable group of shop owners in the state. See you at the next chapter meeting!

 

ASCEF 2013 Scholarship Program -
Deadline March 1, 2013

 

Our scholarship program is open to high school seniors who are planning to enroll in post high school technical/academic training or college under-graduates in the automotive service field satisfying certain criteria. Scholarships range from $500 to $1,000 which may be used toward tuition and/or books. The application deadline has been extended to March 1, 2013 so that our committee can thoroughly review applicants and make sure the awards are distributed before the end of the academic year.

 

Please click here to a scholarship application

 

 

 

 

BAR Going Green on Newsletter
 

The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has notified ARD's that effective with the Fall 2012 publication, Automotive Repair and Smog Check News will no longer be published in a print format. If you would like to continue receiving the newsletter, you can sign up to receive advisories, etc., at the link below:

 

Click here to sign up to receive Automotive Repair and Smog Check News. 

 

  

IN THIS ISSUE
ASCCA/CAWA Summit Press Release
ASCCA Team Weekend Round-Up
ASCEF 2013 Scholarship Program Deadline March 1, 2013
In the Running for an iPad in 2013
Get Your ASCCA "The Sign You Can Trust" Sign Now and Win!
Nominate an ASCCA Member of the Month
 

February Member of the Month Kris Cesena

   
Kris Cesena, Auto Medics, San Mateo, CA

In her own words:

"My inspiration to become involved in the automotive repair industry came in the summer between high school and college I got a job working as a bookkeeper at a service station. It was there that I met my future husband, Dan Cesena, who was working there as a technician. Three months later we moved in together and 3 years later we opened our own shop. Although I had a full-time job at the time, I would go to the shop after work and on weekends to help Dan with the marketing and general office type work.

 

Dan had worked at many independent shops before working at the Honda Dealer and always wanted to have his own service facility. The popularity of Hondas in the eighties and people's understanding of the importance of routine maintenance was the perfect formula to get the shop going. Dan found a great location in Downtown San Mateo and after several weekends of cleaning up the building we opened in April 1987. The formula worked and the shop was profitable from the very first month. Dan had a partner the first 13 years in business, but after we bought out his partner in 2000, I quit my drafting career and went to work full-time at the shop. Dan taught me everything he knew about running a successful service and repair shop. Together we attended classes from Bob Cooper at Elite, Maylan Newton at ESI, Chubby at ATI, and many others. Our level of customer service and our understanding of business management increased and now after 25 years, we've established ourselves solidly in the community. We feel we have achieved our goal of Auto Medics becoming a well-oiled machine that will live on past us.

Both Dan and I have gained so much from our ASCCA membership! The access to discounted programs and services is a no-brainer. And we're glad to know we have a voice in legislative matters through our association, which is the main reason we joined. But to our surprise, the biggest gains have come from networking with other shop owners. We've learned so much from other's successes, and mistakes. And we've been happy to share our experiences to help others out as well. At first I was concerned about attending meetings with our local competitors, but we soon realized that when we help each other out, we elevate the level of our industry for the better of all shop owners AND consumers.

 

Advice I would offer to new ASCCA members is to really take advantage of the discounts as much as possible by contacting all of the benefit providers and asking what they can offer you as an ASCCA member! The savings you'll receive will more than pay for the cost of membership. But the real value is getting involved. Go to the meetings. Talk to your fellow shop owners. Share information. And then once you've realized all those benefits, become more involved. Join your Chapter's Board of Directors. Become a Chapter Representative. Join the ASCCA Board of Directors. Remember, this association is only as good as its members and volunteers. We have to keep passing the torch to keep it alive, and that's a very worthwhile endeavor."

 

ASCCA members like Kris are shining examples of how
One Member CAN Make a Difference!
Calendar of Events

Summer Conference 

June 21-23 

Irvine, CA

Hotel Rate: $99 

Hotel Reservation: 1-800-445-8667

 

Team Weekend

September 27-29

Embassy Suites Sacramento

Sacramento, CA 

 

 

In the Running for an iPad in 2013!

 

The below members are in the running to win an iPad in 2013!!!

 

Due to their efforts in recruiting new members starting in 2012 the below listed members are on their way to winning an iPad at the Summer Conference! Rory Balmer has already won 1 iPad and it looks like he may win 2!!! Mary Kemnitz, Jerry Kubitsy & Art Ratner are also on their way to winning their iPad!!!

 

They are not the only ones who can do it! So can YOU!!! Just talk to a potential member about the benefits YOU have experienced as an ASCCA member, invite them to the Summer Conference and help them complete the attached Membership Application! Send the application to the ASCCA office and once the new member pays their annual dues in full you win your point! Pay your dues for 2013 before July and you win another point!  

 

Here's how:

  1. Recruit a Regular or Associate Member to ASCCA
  2. Pay your own dues for the year in full before July 1, 2013!!!

 

The following members are in the current running to win an iPad in 2013:

 

Rory Balmer

Currently has 5 points

 

 

Marty Bloom

Currently has 2 points

 

 

Kevin Boland

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Dave Carney

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Jeff Chin

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Paul Frech

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Paul Grech

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Kirk Haslam

Currently has 2 points

 

 

Mary Kemnitz

Currently has 4 points

 

 

Andrew Klein

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Jerry Kubitsky

Currently has 3 points

 

 

Brad Larsen

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Dana Meyer

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Larry Moore

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Larry Nasey

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Allen Pennebaker

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Art Ratner

Currently has 4 points

 

 

Paul Salgado

Currently has 1 point

 

 

Bob Toepp

Currently has 2 points



 

 

Click here for the Potential Member Packet and recruit new members before the deadline of May, 2013 to be presented with your iPad at the 2013 Summer Conference!!

 

If you have any questions or suggestions on how to recruit new members please contact Membership Committee Chair Rory Balmer at [email protected] or the ASCCA office at (916) 924-9054 x110.

 

 

Get Your ASCCA 

The Sign You Can Trust! Sign and WIN!!       

  

  

 

DEADLINE TO ENTER PHOTO - MARCH 31, 2013! 

 

The ASCCA Public Relations slogan is designed with the purpose of ensuring that the ASCCA sign is synonymous with quality automotive shops. The slogan, The Sign You Can Trust! is directed at your potential and existing customers.

  

This exciting new campaign started by incorporating our new slogan The Sign You Can Trust! with our existing logo, creating public awareness that will translate into consumers looking for shops displaying the ASCCA sign. The goal of our campaign is to increase your business with new customers and help you retain existing clients.

  

Participation in The Sign You Can Trust! campaign will strengthen the public's awareness that ASCCA shops are the shops they can trust to meet their automotive needs.

  

NOW you can participate in the campaign AND win great prizes at the same time! For a limited time, members displaying the new sign along with their existing sign can be entered into a drawing to WIN! All you have to do is 1) purchase The Sign You Can Trust! sign for $20; 2) attach it to your shop with your ASCCA sign; and 3) take a photo and submit it to staff at [email protected]. Each photo will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win one of our great prizes, which include:

 

  • Beautiful limited addition print by wildlife artist Sandra Jordan
  • Three cases of synthetic motor oil from Kendall Oil
  • $100 gift card
  • Made to order ASCCA jacket from G & K Services, Inc.    
  •  

In addition, the Chapter with the highest percentage of photos sent in from individuals will win (1) free admission to the 2013 ASCCA Summer Education Conference and 2 nights hotel accommodations! 

 

To submit photos for entry into the lottery, please send your photo to ASCCA staff at [email protected] - please include your name, shop name, city, and Chapter number.   

 

For more information on getting the ASCCA logo with the new slogan and for purchasing an adjunct sign, contact ASCCA staff at (800) 810-4272 or email Heather Vigil at [email protected].

  

  

 

Nominate an ASCCA Member for Member of the Month!

 

The ASCCA Member of the Month is a new program developed by ASCCA leadership to recognize our members who go above and beyond to support our core purpose: To Elevate and Unite Automotive Professionals and Give Them Voice.

 

Each Member of the Month will receive a certificate and a $50 Visa gift card. Additionally, the member will be recognized on the ASCCA website homepage for one month, announced on Team Talk, featured in the WYNTK and in the California Independent.

 

YOU can nominate a Member of the Month by sending your recommendation to Heather Vigil at [email protected]. All nominations should include a summary of why your nominee should be considered for ASCCA's Member of the Month.

 

When making a recommendation, please use the following criteria:

  • Faithfully adheres to ASCCA code of ethics
  • Active proponent of ASCCA (both State and Chapter); talks up ASCCA to non-members
  • Actively helps oter shops succeed (both member and non-member shops)
  • Utilizes member benefits (ASCCA Advantage) and mentors new members utilizing benefits
  • Active in local Chapter (where applicable) and state events
  • Adds his/her voice to legislative issues; contacting representatives on key issues
  • Pays dues on time
  • Participates in/monitors Team Talk

 

Each nomination will be carefully reviewed and considered by the ASCCA Membership Committee. The pool of Members of the Month winners will be voted on by the Chapter Representatives Committee for Member of the Year to be honored at ASCCA's Summer Conference, June 21-23, 2013 at the Hilton Irvine Orange County.

 

For more information on the Member of the Month program, please contact Heather Vigil at [email protected].

 

 

 

Special Thank You to ASCCA's Diamond Sponsors!
 
www.iatn.net 
 

One Capitol Mall, Suite 320
Sacramento, CA 95814
(800) 810-4272