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Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc.
Oregon Truck Dispatch
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Jana Jarvis
OTA President
E
ngage. The dictionary defines it “to
participate or become involved in.” It’s
what defines the mission of almost any
organization. It’s what makes the difference
between success and failure. And it’s what OTA
needs from you to move this association forward.
T
homas Jefferson said it best when he stated,
“We in America do not have government by the
majority. We have government by the majority
who participate.” And
you
participated! Our first
Trucking Day at the Capitol,
held February 22 in
Salem, proved to everyone that the trucking
industry is committed to helping our elected
officials better understand how the decisions they
make impact your bottom line. From Flexible
Scheduling, Drug-Free Workplace rules, Predictive
Scheduling, New Diesel Regulations to a
Transportation Package, OTA attendees
represented the industry well. Senator Johnson
and Senator Boquist set the stage as they described
the 2017 legislative session and lobby staff
reviewed our talking points to help everyone feel
comfortable in meetings scheduled with key
legislators that afternoon.
You can be proud that the visuals for the day were
impactful. In front of the Capitol sat the America’s
Road Team truck, staffed by four of the drivers
selected by the American Trucking Associations as
ambassadors for our industry. During the day they
welcomed visitors, both public members and
private citizens, and emphasized the value of the
trucking industry to Oregon’s economy. Visitors
had the opportunity to drive the simulator located
in the trailer as well as learn about the challenges
today’s drivers face. The Road Team commented
that this was their most successful event to date
measured by the number of visitors and their
questions and enthusiasm for the industry!
We had four other trucks parked out front as well,
ranging from a new Freightliner Cascadia to a
1950’s log truck! It was very evident as you drove up
to the Capitol that it was Trucking Day and that
theme continued in the Galleria where displays
emphasizing the value of trucking jobs to Oregon’s
economy and our strong safety emphasis and
success were prominently displayed. Helping our
messaging were the doughnuts and cookies we
provided throughout the day!
After a successful afternoon of meetings with key
legislators, OTA hosted a reception for elected
officials, their staff members, and OTA participants
and it was very well attended. Many of our guests
commented that they looked forward to having
OTA meet with them at our next event—meaning
we will need even more of you to participate when
we do this again in 2019!
In the meantime, we will be counting on you to
help us as this year’s legislative session moves
forward. We may need to reach out to you to
come to Salem to testify on key issues, or we may
ask you to email or call your state representative
or senator on a bill that would impact this
industry. To help us with this effort we have
partnered with ATA on a new software program,
Engage
, that will allow us to better communicate
with you on these key issues. This tool will allow
you to specify your state legislative district and
help us message those key legislators on policy
issues as the 2017 Oregon legislative session
progresses. Our goal with this new advocacy tool
is to allow us to keep you better informed—and to
en • gage
verb
participate or become involved in
OTA’s Tr uck Dr iving Championship will be held again at FedEx’s Swan