Below is a letter from one of our OAMP Plant Members.
What Have They Done For Me Lately?
Below is a letter from one of our OAMP Plant
Members.
What Have
They Done For Me Lately?
That's the first question I receive when I ask people to join the state of Ohio meat and
poultry processors organization - the Ohio Association of Meat Processors, Inc.
That's what confronts me when I seek others to become members. Fair enough because I
ask the same question when anyone asks me to join and organization.
Unfortunately, many of us who are
skilled in those things necessary to be a successful meat or poultry processor are
unprepared to fully answer that question. Why then should we ask you to join some
group that wants to take money from you. I won't be so presumptuous to answer for
others, but I will answer for myself.
I want to know what's going on in
the world around me, especially in other phases of the agricultural industry, so I
subscribe to general farm and agricultural publications as well as meat and poultry
processing publications. I want to know about dairying, because dairy animals
produce over 46% of all hamburger consumed in the United States. I want to know
what's going on in the seafood business because it is cutting into the consumption of
beef, pork, poultry and lam. What are we (small meat and poultry processing
businesses) doing to hold our place in the market? What are we doing to sell
products to consumers in another state? What do I need to become HACCP certified?
As I find out more about the world
beyond my own parking lot, it simply overwhelms me. I want to combat that
unfavorable image some would project. The more I find out about other segments of
the meat and poultry industry, the more I was to support, promote, strengthen and advocate
the meat and poultry industry of Ohio. But I can't do all I want to do to protect my
interest and still tend the home fires. There just aren't enough hours In a day to
do it. What a dilemma to face!
Soon comes the realization that the
job is too darn big for me alone. Too big for even just a few of us anxious
processors in Ohio. So what am I to do about it? Then comes the actualization
that I have to depend on others to work on my behalf to support my interest. But I
sure don't want a bunch of Ohio or Washington bureaucrats messing things up -- I want meat
and poultry processing people helping me out. And that's just who is working for my
interest at the Ohio Association of Meat Processors, fellow peers who I elect to do things
that I want to do but personally don't have the savvy or time to do it!
I am independent enough that I want
to pay my own way, so I joined OAMP. Sure it takes a few bucks to invest in my
companies future, but in reality, the little it costs me in dues is returned several times
over in benefits. They are constantly working to promote and to protect my interest
in the competitive world out there, where I personally can't be!
Just last year, OAMP assisted me in
saving over 42% of my BWC Workers' Compensation Premium and made available a readymade,
personalized meat and poultry processor's OSHA Compliance Kit at a reasonable price.
That's just two examples of what I am talking about.
And in 1997, OAMP sued the USDA and it's Secretary for violation of
my "Constitutional Right" as a state meat inspected processing plant to
sell my products to customers who reside in another state - Interstate Shipment. If
my Ohio plant is "equal to or better than" a federally inspected or foreign
(Canada-Mexico-Australia) meat processing plant, why can't I sell my product outside the
boundaries of Ohio? They did that on my behalf as a member OAMP!
Now, when someone asks, "What have they done for me lately", my answer simply is
-- "Well, my friend, you have two choice, you can give me two hours of your time to
listen or you can read their publications:
Membership Services
& Benefits
By-Laws
OAMP Group Workers' Comp
Discount Program
Ohio Proud Program
Then you can make you own judgement.
Don't forget to mail your check with your OAMP Membership Application.
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