President's Letter

I would like to update you all on the dynamic developments currently ongoing with the Spill Control Association of America (SCAA). Since our annual meeting last May, SCAA's board of Directors and staff has been hard at work to fulfill the association's mission: "to provide true value to our spill community members." It is my pleasure to make three exciting announcements that will help expand the scope of what the organization provides to its members.

1. SCAA Joins Association Education Alliance
   SCAA has been approved for membership in the Association Education Alliance (AEA), an alliance of over 40 not-for-profit trade associations whose mission is to identify, evaluate and develop at an affordable cost, education programs for use by member associations. The objectives of AEA are:
   • To advance the educational interest of and promote cooperation among its member associations.
   • To acquire and disseminate among its member associations such information regarding education opportunities in the field of distribution which will assist the associations serving their members, and,
   • To develop affordable educational programs for use by its member associations.
   AEA has announced its schedule of training programs for 2007. As a member of AEA, SCAA members can attend these programs at a discounted rate. These sessions will include in person training programs and teleconference seminars. Details about each session will be sent out via email to SCAA members next year.

2. SCAA Joins Small Business Legislative Council
   SCAA has recently become a member of the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC). SBLC is an independent, permanent, coalition of trade and professional associations who share a common concern for the future of small business. SBLC was established in 1976 and has grown to represent nearly every sector of the economy including manufacturing, retail, distribution, professional and technical services, agriculture and construction. SBLC has become a unified force that is respected throughout the government. The Council's views are sought and its opinions are valued by those in government who must decide how the laws of the nation are enacted and enforced.

   The purpose of SBLC is twofold: to consolidate the strength and maximize the influence of small business on legislative and Federal policy issues of importance to the entire small business community; and secondly, to disseminate information on the impact of public policy on small business. As a member of SBLC, SCAA members will now be receiving the SBLC Weekly Update, a weekly newsletter about legislative and Federal policy issues affecting small business.

   The next issue of the SBLC weekly will appear at the beginning of 2007 when the 110th Congress is in session. We hope you find this new member service of great value to you and your business.

3. SCAA 2007 Annual Meeting
   We have scheduled SCAA's next annual meeting for May 15-17, 2007 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA. The meeting will provide the opportunity to establish relationships, share ideas, identify new issues and explore ways to improve the response industry. Feedback from last year's conference is that it is a must not only for spill response contactors and suppliers, but for state and governmental agencies, spill managers, insurance representatives and oil industry representatives with an interest in learning and improving the spill response industry. Additonal information about the conference will be mailed to all SCAA members in early 2007. Mark you calendars, you don't want to miss it!

   SCAA 2007 Annual Meeting
   May 15-17, 2007
   Sheraton National Hotel
   Arlington, Virginia

I look forward to working with all our members as we continue to move forward in achieving our goals and in increasing SCAA's value and benefits to its members.

Join, participate and help grow SCAA, our industry's voice!

Sincerely,

John Parker
SCAA, President