ATSSA Signal November/December 2017

28 American Traffic Safety Services Association FOUNDATION & CHAPTER NEWS It was just last year when the Chesapeake and Virginia ATSSA chapters held their first joint meeting, a collaboration that resulted in expanded opportunities for members to connect to their peers, discuss relevant topics in the roadway safety industry, and even work together to develop a fundraising event. The idea for the Mason-Dixon Mixin’ Bowling Event—of which some of the proceeds were donated to The Foundation—stemmed from one of the chapters’ joint meetings last year. The fundraising event was held this October at Severna Park Lanes in Severna, Maryland, where its creators were able to convene to see their original idea come to fruition. Chesapeake ATSSA Chapter President, Bret Martine, of Century Engineering; Virginia ATSSA Chapter President, Mark Council, of Traffic Plan, and ATSSA Chapter Liaison and Associate Director of Member Engagement, Bob Felt are credited for coming up with the idea or, as Council refers to it, “the brainchild.” All three were also involved in the planning and organization of the event, which drew ATSSA members from the Georgia and Pennsylvania chapters as well. “The joint meetings and team effort to host a fundraiser for The Foundation are beneficial in a number of ways,” Martine said. “By working together, chapter members bring even more institutional knowledge into the room by grouping more of the industry’s leaders together. By pairing the joint meeting with the Mason-Dixon Mixin’ Bowling Event, we hoped this might encourage those in the industry who are not ATSSA members or not as involved in their chapters to want to join or participate in chapter meetings and events.” In addition to raising more money for The Foundation, Martine said he, Council and Felt also hoped that hosting an event that entailed more interaction between members would appeal to a wider audience that would ultimately increase chapter involvement. “One of the main focuses for ATSSA is to bring national industry leaders together and to bring innovative safety products to America’s roadways,” Martine said. “That’s a concept we’re trying to support with this event, which we hope will grow and expand until it becomes an annual national event.” Council said based on where they started, compared to where they are now, the event has a lot of potential. Not only that but the importance of raising funds for The Foundation and awareness about its programs, is something every chapter can support. “Any time a chapter can raise money for The Foundation is always a good thing,” Council said. “This event is such a good way to get a lot of chapters involved and encourage other chapters to want to get involved with ATSSA and The Foundation,” adding that a Texas ATSSA Chapter golf outing left him inspired to host a fundraising event with his chapter. “Attending or hearing about activities of other chapters makes you want to replicate it on your own turf,” Council said. Another benefit of hosting or attending chapter events, according to Council, is the opportunity to share experiences. “One thing I’ve noticed about attending ATSSA’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, is that you can go out to dinner with somebody from California, New Mexico, Texas, or Michigan and they are fighting the same problem in their state that you are fighting in your state,” Council said. “There are things that your chapter is doing that work and it might work in their state, but they might have not thought about it. It’s always a good opportunity to share some good ideas.” The Foundation President, Tom Wood, also attended the bowling fundraiser along with The Foundation Manager, Lori Diaz. “It’s so great to see chapters putting together activities that are designed to help The Foundation,” Wood said. “We really appreciate their efforts and I know the recipients of the scholarships and the families of the fallen roadway workers certainly appreciate these efforts as well.” Wood said it is not only heart-warming, but meaningful in more ways than one when chapter members come together to fundraise for The Foundation. “Working with chapters has become an essential part of our focus,” Wood said. “It allows The Foundation to reach out across the ATSSA family and provides a unique opportunity for us to speak directly to specific groups and inform them of ways they can become more involved with and support The Foundation’s efforts.” When speaking to chapter members at various events, Wood said he and Diaz have expanded their talking points beyond promoting fundraising efforts. “As an organization, we are currently trying to raise awareness of the Experience Camps Travel Scholarship and the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship programs,” Wood said. “These events provide a forum for us to reach out and ask for help to find more candidates. Everyone is doing so great in the fundraising area, now we need to reach out and try to find ways to find potential participants for these programs.” Collaboration goes a long way ATSSA chapters work together to co-host fundraising event for The Foundation (Front, from left) Virginia-ATSSA Chapter President Mark Council, of Traffic Plan, presented the trophy to the winning team led by Chesapeake-ATSSA Chapter President Bret Martine, of Century Engineering. (Back, from left) PJ Henry, of DelDOT, Bob Felt, of ATSSA, Richard Barchock, of DelDOT, and Brandan Martine, of Century Engineering, accept the trophy with Bret Martine.