A California Moving and Storage Association (CMSA) convention is many things. It is an educational forum, a networking opportunity, a gathering for the purpose of conducting the business of the Association’s four standing committees and its board of directors, and an opportunity to decompress among friends. It culminates with a celebration of CMSA leadership with the exchange of the ceremonial gavel from outgoing chairman to the chairman for the coming year.

On behalf of CMSA membership and staff we extend thanks to now Senior Chairman Alan Freese on a successful year of CMSA leadership. We are grateful for your leadership and sacrifices on behalf of the membership. We congratulate Chairman Thomas McCarthy as he takes on the mantle of leadership of the CMSA Board for the 2019-2020 year.

As I reflect on the year and convention that just past the thought that I continue to circle back to is that of esprit de corps. When thinking of esprit de corps one frequently thinks of the military and in particular the United States Marine Corps. War Correspondent Robert Sherrod embedded with the Marines fighting in the Pacific theater in World War II who was a witness to the historic battles at: Attu, Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, said the following. “The Marines fought almost solely on esprit de corps, I was certain, it was inconceivable to most Marines that they should let another Marine down, or that they could be responsible for dimming the bright reputation of their Corps. The Marines simply assumed that they were the world’s best fighting men.”

While it is quite a stretch to compare the CMSA to the gallant war fighters of the US Military one must say that there is among many members a feeling of pride in what we have and will do and in who we are as a group. We frequent speak about strength in numbers and a feeling of fellowship for those who have faced similar challenges. These are all tenets of esprit de corps. As an Association, the CMSA has accomplished much, thanks to the efforts of many. Recent accomplishments include: a positive working relationship with regulators and other state agencies, meetings and programs that benefit all members, the successful distribution of information critical to legal operators, and the most successful and generous scholarship and charity programs in our industry. The pace of change and disruption seems to grow ever quicker an dramatic, but with a belief in our mission and our ever-growing team we are confident that we will be able to accomplish much more in the years ahead.

May 2019 - CMSA Communicator