OTA Dispatch Issue 3

3 www.ortrucking.org Issue 3 | 2018 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair Diane DeAutremont, Lile International Companies Vice Chair Andy Owens, A & M Transport Secretary/Treasurer Lanny Gower, XPO Logistics ATA State Vice President Evan Oneto, FedEx Past Chair Bart Sherman, Sherman Bros. Trucking ISI Representative Dale Lemmons, Interstate Wood Products, Inc. Chair Appointee Mike Boyd, Sheppard—AWABCO Company BOARD OF DIRECTORS Regional Representatives Central Oregon  Charlie Every, Charlie Every Trucking Eastern Oregon  Don McGinn, McGinn Bros. Trucking Metro  Tim Love, Carson/NEXGEN Logistics, LLC Southern Oregon  Troy Hutchens, FV Martin Trucking Willamette Valley  Ron Bowers, Ron Bowers, Inc. Standing Committee Representatives Allied  Trevin Fountain, Cummins Sales and Service Government Affairs  Evan Oneto, FedEx Highway Policy  Eric Zander, Omega Morgan Image  Mike Card, Combined Transport OTA in Action  Mark Gibson, Siskiyou Transportation, Inc. Truck PAC  Dale Lemmons, Interstate Wood Products, Inc. DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE Kristal Fiser, UPS Steve Gallup, Rose City Moving & Storage Scott Hammond, Knife River Corporation Heather Hayes, Tradewinds Transportation, LLC COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Safety Management Council (SMC) Jennifer King, WHA Insurance Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Mike Vallery, Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc. COMMITTEES Allied Government Affairs Highway Policy Image Membership Oregon Truck PAC OTA in Action To learn more about the committees or councils listed above, contact OTA at membership@ortrucking.org or 503.513.0005. OTA LEADERSHIP The Importance of Grassroots Grassroots movements have a long history in the United States. Some may even say that the American Revolution began as a grassroots movement—where people in a specific region banded together to create change. More modern-day examples fall on both sides of the political aisle. The Taxed Enough Already—or TEA—Party became a strong voice for conservatives in the Republican party. During the 2016 presidential campaign, a grassroots movement to propel socialist-leaning Bernie Sanders into the spotlight put a fly in the ointment for more traditional Democrats. In fact, grassroots movements have become such a successful means for groups to be heard and effect change that large corporations have taken to fabricating grassroots activities, which is known as “astroturfing.” OTA’s foray into creating a grassroots movement is 100% natural, as well as a logical step for our membership. Here’s how it works: What is the grassroots movement? A collection of local individuals in a district, region, or community that gather on something that matters to them for the purpose of making political or economic change. It’s building a personal and direct connection with others within that community to provide a recommendation or persuade them to take action. What are the benefits of using a grassroots program? When you collect members of a specific community, it’s likely those individuals will have local contacts. This will build our network making it easier to bring about change. You’ll get to hear the interests and concerns of each individual, making everyone a stakeholder. Plus, those individuals are usually directly impacted by the issues in that community, making their messages tangible. Is building a grassroots network difficult? Yes, it can be time consuming, but not if we receive help from our members! Who do you know? What other groups are you a part of? What issues matter to you? Chances are you have something to offer the OTA network. What can I do as an OTA member? Communication is key. Have a friend or colleague you think would be a good addition to OTA’s grassroots network? Let us know. Maybe you participate in a business group in your community. Contact us and we can help bridge the connection with other trucking industry folks though our OTA in Action Committee. Contact us at info@ortrucking.org or 503.513.0005.