The Chairman's Corner

By Vince Cardinale

October 2024

As we change seasons from Summer to Fall, we also ramp up our CMSA chapter meeting schedules and fundraising efforts. President Steve Weitekamp and I will start our Chapter visits in the North Bay and Northern region on October 22nd and 23rd. I look forward to visiting old friends and meeting new ones as we visit each of the 12 chapters.

In speaking with some of our Chapter chairpersons, I learned they were finding it difficult to attend and participate in both the Chapter meetings and fundraising events. Some of the reasons mentioned were the economic times.  

Speaking of fundraisers, I want to thank all of you who attended our Monterey Bay Chapters Golf and Bocce event on October 4, 2024. We had 24 golfers and 68 for bocce and dinner. Everyone had a good time, and I appreciate the support from our vendor/associate members and the members from outside of our Chapter who attended.  

I recently read an article stating that we are not as mobile a society as in years past. Americans are moving at the lowest rate in decades. The moving rate in the 1960s and 1970s was nearly 20%. According to a recent survey, in 2022, fewer than 9% of Americans moved.

Also, local moves, defined as moves within the same county, fell to below 5% in the 2022 survey period, down from nearly 9 % in 2010.  

This is a concerning trend if your company provides mainly residential moves. This is a reason to diversify your business lines if you haven’t already begun to do so. Some of the factors contributing to these trends seem to be younger people are living with their parents longer, putting off marriage and buying a home. More people are working remotely, which means fewer people must move for a new job. High housing prices and high interest rates make it difficult to upgrade housing.

Participation in our great Association is even more important during difficult economic times. The support of the CMSA and your fellow members is priceless.  

Now is not the time to hunker down and go into bunker mode. Now is the time to unite as one and take full advantage of your CMSA membership and the opportunities it provides. Speak to your fellow members and exchange the best practice ideas. We can learn so much from one another. Attend Chapter meetings and volunteer to help with fundraising efforts. Use the CMSA as a marketing tool for your business. Let your potential customers know you are a CMSA member. 

October 2024 - CMSA Communicator