Chairman Chipman’s column notes the passing of the one-year anniversary of the pandemic and rightfully focuses on positive takeaways from this past year. While we would never minimize or downplay the hardship and even tragedy that many have faced, we do look forward to a brighter day. Among the changes we have seen this year has been the positive broad adaptation of new technology. Of specific impact to our industry is the use of virtual platforms to perform functions from staff meetings, estimating and sales, and many other forms of engagement. Movers large and small are seeing the benefit of utilization of these tools.

Even the youngest CMSA members remember a time when the thought of a picture phone was just a futuristic dream. We may have even laughed at the thought of catching someone answering their phone in their pajamas, funny that in contemporary society many now feel completely comfortable wearing pajamas even to places like the grocery store. Many of us have daily events that we conduct on Zoom and even those who fight the change are being dragged down the road if for nothing more than periodic virtual family gatherings. This reminds me of past technological advances that many resisted; pagers, fax machines, car phones, computers, email, and cell phones. At each step in the progression of everyday technology, there were those of us that pushed back. Today it is the virtual platform, most commonly represented by Zoom. CMSA has conducted, chapter meetings, seminars, legislative meetings, even a memorial and a cocktail reception. Next month, thanks to the support of our Convention Partners (listed on our registration form), our leadership, and our presenters, we will conduct a virtual convention. We, like you, look forward to the day when we can once again physically gather with friends and colleagues. In the meantime, there is still work to do and a virtual platform will have to serve our needs.

One of the more challenging virtual events in the last few months was participating in a four-hour California Air Resources Board “workshop.” Really just watching the Advanced Clean Fleets Workshop PowerPoint presentation being read and throwing a question into the chat box. It is definitely one of the least enviable tasks of someone who makes every effort to stay up to date on a broad array of issues that impact our industry. As mentioned in previous issues of the Communicator, we continue to advocate for our industry on CARB’s actions related to Governor Newsom’s executive order N-79-20. Abbreviated it says:
It shall be a goal of the State that 100 percent of in-state sales of new passenger cars and trucks will be zero-emission by 2035. It shall be a further goal of the State that 100 percent of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the State be zero-emission by 2045 for all operations where feasible and by 2035 for drayage trucks. It shall be further a goal of the State to transition to 100 percent zero-emission off-road vehicles and equipment by 2035 where feasible.

We look forward to seeing you at the CMSA 103rd Annual Convention, presented in a Zoom format for 2021.

March 2021 - CMSA Communicator