TIME WELL SPENT!

Generally, my feelings regarding the political process and politicians can be described as apathetic and jaded with general disappointment. So, as I was enduring my travel day from Northwest Washington State to the “other” Washington, I was not overflowing with excitement and enthusiasm.

I had signed up to participate in the annual Hardwood Federation Fly-In. Having not experienced an HF Fly-In before, I was interested in learning about the process and analyzing how productive the classic lobbying process would be. I guess I thought, don’t knock it before you try it.

I can honestly say my time in DC was well spent! The Hardwood Federation leadership is a well-oiled, efficient machine leading seasoned lobbying veterans and newbies like me through the process. Hardwood Federation leadership distributed and explained the unified voice talking points to all 65 of us. This step was vital to ensure we would all be on the same issues generating a powerful single voice for our industry! The group I was in had six meetings on the schedule; in total, the Hardwood Federation Fly-In met with over 100 different offices! It was a powerful day for the hardwood industry! Whether we met with our actual Congressional representative or with staff members, the Hardwood industry was represented in a powerful and effective way!

What a turnaround from my feelings just a day or two earlier! Where had my jaded and apathetic feelings gone? Well, I think they disappeared when the individuals we were meeting with, whether Democrat or Republican, asked honest questions and were genuinely interested in and listening to our issues. Thanks to the Hardwood Federation, there is power in numbers with a unified voice!

The lobbying process is very similar to the promotion process. I believe lobbying is simply promotion but with a different audience. The Fly-In helped our industry, and my time in Washington, DC, was worth it. I will also have to return; lobbying is not a one-and- done process, just like promotion is not a one-and-done process. The Hardwood Federation, through many years of lobbying, has built relationships and trust with members of Congress. These relationships make it easier and more effective for the lobbying effort to take place during the Fly-In. I will continue to support the Hardwood Federation with my time and money in the future so they can continue their hardwood promotional efforts, and I encourage all of you to as well!

The Real American Hardwood Coalition is working towards creating similar relationships and building trust with its audience as the Hardwood Federation has with theirs. These efforts require stable and dependable financial support as promotion, and like lobbying, it is more than just a one-and-done process.

The Fly-In process filled me with hope that our Congressional representatives are listening and want to learn about our industry so they can become educated and make sound, informed decisions. Just the same, I believe the consumer wants to learn about making good healthy decisions for their family regarding our hardwood products in their lives. Both educational processes come down to dependable and stable yearly donations from all of us! Please take a moment to review your specific commitment to these efforts and contemplate making a multi-year commitment. Real long-range promotion and lobbying strategies can only take place when the stability of time is brought to the table!

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Best wishes to you, your families, and your business.

Jon Syre NHLA Chairman | Cascade Hardwood