No doubt Automotive Fleet readers glance at the "Calendar of Events," a monthly feature of this publication. We are happy to remind our readers of what's happening in the fleet leasing and rental industry.

As an example, starting in January and through March, such trade groups as American Automotive Leasing Association, National Automobile Dealers Association, Car and Truck Renting and Leasing Association (CATRALA), the National Association of Fleet Administrators, and National Truck Leasing System (Nationalease) have been or will be in session at animal or mid-year meetings.

Why do leasing/rental company executives, fleet administrators, dealers et al join these trade groups? And why shouldn't everyone with an interest in the industry also belong?

As participants in an ever-growing industry, you must keep informed, must remain alert and must approach the future as a strong united body. More so, these days, when Washington has its long linger poking into the affairs of most every industry in the nation. To be heard on a national and state-wide scale, you must be able to speak and function as a group - your trade association.

To speak, act and survive as a group takes not only your joining the group, but actively participating in all association activities.

Some trade associations report that, year after year, less than 25% of the potential association members belong, yet every member of the industry benefits by the results obtained by Association efforts. It is hardly a fair deal when we realize that only 25% work for the benefit of the other 75% of the industry.

A case in point is the National Association of Fleet Administrators.

"This association is a professional organization of men and women who are responsible for the efficient, economic, and safe operation of passenger car fleets used by industry and government in the conduct of business.

"A fleet administrator interested in improving his firm's operation and advancing his personal stature must keep abreast of all techniques and principles of professional management. Whether his fleet is local, national, state or regional, whether he has been in fleet administration one year or twenty, NAFA exists to help him by pooling the know-how of hundreds of fleet administrators for his benefit and that of his organization.

"Whatever his fleet problems, the chances are good that it has been experienced by other fleet administrators. Their accumulated wisdom is his through NAFA."

And, all the other trade associations also offer the same worthwhile inducements, when you are a member, for the betterment of your own operations and for the overall growth of your segment of the industry.

To keep an association going and growing takes time and finances.

Ask yourself ... will the trade group which you definitely should join ... be faced with 25%; carrying all the load, or with your becoming a member, make it 75% and case the cost on everyone. But even more-important, the association would then represent the majority of those actively engaged in the industry.

Then the voice would be three times as loud, carry three times as far and be at least three times as effective in the association's program ... programs that could mean thousands of dollars to each member.

Will you and the many others got along if you don't join a trade association? Of course, you will. But just think of what you will lose ... and it's quite a huge package ... while you sit on the sideline's looking in.

Automotive Fleet cannot urge too strongly that each and every association in our industry needs your wholehearted, active support ... in person with lime and money.

Mail in your request tor membership at once ... the association you should join will happily answer every question regarding any part of their program, dues structure or budget.

What can you lose? There's really much to gain!