The Chairman's Corner

By John Lance
August 2017

So it seems like this summer is flying by. As busy as we get this time of year, the days seem to run together. The stories we hear from professional van operators loading and unloading shipments, our local crews, other moving companies and customers are sometimes humorous. I will share something that happened in my office a couple of weeks ago that was an all-time classic! Samantha in my office was making her usual calls to our shippers on this particular afternoon to confirm the jobs and start times for the next day. One of the jobs was scheduled to pack two days and load on the third day. The shipper told Samantha that he needed to cancel the first day of the pack and we would need to pack his shipment all on the second day. He went on to tell her that his wife is a belly dancer and she will be getting ready for her performance the day we were scheduled to start packing and he thought it would be uncomfortable for our packers to be at their house during this getting-ready process. Now I thought I had heard it all, but this was a first. I had no comeback when Samantha came to me with this, but to tell her that was fine and let the shipper know we will accommodate their needs. These are the kind of things I have always loved about the moving & storage business. Every day is different and you never know what you will come across. The people you meet on a daily basis all have different stories to tell. Most are pleasant to work with and some are challenging, but that’s what makes it fun. The moving business is a very personable business as we are in people’s homes on a daily basis packing their life-long possessions. A positive and good personality is critical.

Speaking of positive, the Chairman’s Choice Charity is in its 3rd year and has been embraced by our entire association. I will be working on a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in the next couple of months. As soon as I have dates, I will get the info out to the association and let you know how you can get involved in the fight against MD!

I received a call from President Weitekamp this past week letting me know that after 19 years of service as At-Large North Board Member, Maribeth Wolf of Golden Gate Moving & Storage, had decided to retire from the CMSA Board of Directors.  I got to tell you, she will be missed! Maribeth will remain an active member and is willing to help out wherever she is able. From our entire association, thank you Maribeth for your years of service.

So I broke my foot a couple of weeks ago and at this time of the year, it is really bad timing. I am limping into shipper’s homes to do surveys in this walking boot they put me in. I walked into a two-story home the other day. When the shipper finished walking me around downstairs, he started to head upstairs as if I was going to follow him. Not happening! I gave him my phone and asked him to simply take pictures of each of the rooms upstairs and I would go over them with him when he was done. As I often say, there is always a way to make it happen, and that I did. I also believe that everything happens for a reason and I could not figure out what the reason for this broken foot was. Well, I have found out! My beautiful bride, Bernadette, of 33 years loves to cook and waits on me hand and FOOT! Guess what? She is working overtime right now. I have had breakfast served to me in bed the last couple of Sundays in a row. I could get use to this. She won’t let me do anything. I am taking advantage of this my friends. And yes, I do let her know how much I appreciate her and love her. I just hope she never breaks her foot or I am in big trouble.

Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that is going to require the most from you. Now go take on the day and I will see you next month!

August 2017 - CMSA Communicator