Off the Leash - By Hank

As some of you may be aware, I am not the only handsome dog in the MLA building.  My brother Buck is often found here in Mom’s, I mean Coleen’s office.  As my daily tasks are Human Resources and Security, Buck’s are more as a personal assistant to me.  His main role is my sparring partner for my marital arts training for my eventual dual with the neighbor’s cat.  Buck runs me through the paces daily and keeps me on top of my game.  We both take great offense to the daily accusations that we are “playing”.  Training for what will be a fight to the death with the feline terror that torments me daily is far from playing!

As with any great team, collaboration is the key.  Recently Buck has been put on light duty and had an operation done on his knee.  You see he was fighting off a hoard of unsettling mail and package delivery men when they almost got the upper hand on him.  The fact that he only suffered a knee injury requiring a rather expensive surgery is a true test of his physical and mental prowess.   He is worse for the wear but he will recover.  Since he has gone down, I have slipped into a dark place as my best friend can not do much more than sit on his bed and watch.  What it has made me realize is no matter how strong you are, a team is much stronger.

As with any great team, the Montana Logging Association has teamed up with some great trade associations to fight the good fight.  MLA and American Forest Resource Council, (AFRC) have had a strong relationship for many seasons.  AFRC is a regional trade association whose purpose is to advocate for sustained yield timber harvests on public timberlands throughout the west.  Mainly focusing on federal lands in Montana, AFRC has intervened in many of the litigations that are stopping good timber projects from getting done.  With staff attorneys and our local representative Tom Partin, AFRC has proven to be a strong partner and are getting good work done.

Another partner is Federal Forest Resource Coalition who with members in more than two dozen states are building a national voice for sound management of our federal forests.  Coalition members employ over 350,000 workers in over 650 mills, with payroll in excess of $19 billion.  Members include large and small companies and regional trade associations including the Montana Logging Association.  FFRC has a strong voice in Washington D.C. and the MLA is a proud member of such a great organization.

The Montana Wood Products Association was founded in 1972 and has served as a major voice for the wood products industry.  Their goal is to promote long-term management of Montana’s forests through a legislative effort in Helena, monitoring State and Federal timber sale programs, maintain strong media relations and working close with industry.  The MLA and MWPA have had a long and fruitful relationship for many years.

Formed in 1994, American Loggers Council was created to give American Loggers a consistent and strong voice in the face of national challenges.  Described as “loggers working for loggers,” the American Loggers Council is committed to leveling the playing field for professional loggers and providing accurate information about the logging industry to stakeholders.  Our own Mr. Ken Swanstrom sits on the board for ALC providing good representation from Montana.  Both Mr. Ken Swanstrom and Mr. Sherm Anderson are past presidents of ALC.

These are just a few examples of a few of the many partners the MLA is proud to have.  From the Intermountain Logging Conference to the Montana DNRC to FFA, your association works with many organizations with one goal in mind, to promote this profession we call logging.  With the many challenges that face this industry, the MLA cannot tackle them alone.  With partners, we get good things accomplished.  But with that being said, we need your help.  Get engaged with your association.  Attend a meeting and voice your opinion.  When Safety Ranger Loghunter calls you needing someone to testify in Helena, put on your best hickory shirt and head to the Capitol.  This is your association and it is ultimately up to you what you get out of it.

Well Buck’s physical trainer just strolled in so I’m going to end this article here.  I want to make sure we work on the double back kick karate chops that will be essential in defeating the neighbor’s cat when our battle to the death eventually starts so the sooner, we get him back to full health, the better.  I’m going to leave you with an African Proverb…If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together.

Until next time…..Hank