Increasing membership is a top priority
The Montana Tavern Asociation recently announced that Robert "Bob" Anderson, most recently of Fort Benton, has been named its executive director. His appointment follows the retirement of current executive director Diana Koon, whose duties conclude Sept. 30, while Anderson's begin Oct. 1.
The Montana Tavern Times sat down for a brief interview with Anderson when both happened to be in Missoula attending an MTA Convention organizational meeting Aug. 20.
Anderson pulled out two sheets of paper on which were detailed 40 goals and objectives of the MTA membership and board. Obviously the list will be prioritized for step-by-step implementation, he pointed out.
He said his first priority must be learning the functions of the business office. "I need to be able to assure it will continue to function as well as it always has," Anderson said. Retiring MTA Executive Director Diana Koon "is a great teacher," said Anderson, himself distinguished in the education field.
And most immediately pressing is pulling off another – the 54th annual-MTA Convention and Trade show, bearing down on everyone Sept. 21-24, which Anderson characterized as another exceptional hands – on learning opportunity, though in his previous position as executive director of the Montana School Boards Association, Anderson was responsible for executing conventions twice the size.
And just as he was getting his feet wet, the assistant to the executive director, Maria Thrift, announced her resignation. Anderson said an advertisement had brought 20 applications, some with excellent qualifications, so he wasn't overly concerned about finding a qualified individual.
Anderson said one of his top long-range objectives is going to be to build membership, but first he said he needs to get to know existing members, and especially the leaders of the local organizations.
There are about 800 members now, which is substantial, to be sure, but Anderson pointed out there are almost 1,000 potential additional members, leaving ample opportunity for growth.
Further, a recruiting campaign is certainly abetted by a full portfolio of benefits exclusive to members. Currently MTA offers unbeatable insurance packages, credit card services, server training and a lot more, but Anderson said he will examine how additional benefits could be added to the package.
The board has also asked Anderson to work to improve through modernization the thoroughness and speed of communications between the executive/lobbying efforts and the local leadership and rank-and-file membership.
In addition, Anderson said MTA leadership has specified the executive is to build and maintain relationships with other organizations, government departments and agencies.
Working with a lobbyist the caliber of MTA Government Affairs Counsel Mark Staples will be a real privilege, Anderson said, praising Staple's mastery of the field.
"It will be nice to have a year to ramp up" for the 2011 session of the Legislature, Anderson said, "in order to determine how I can best contribute."
Anderson said he has always been impressed with the level of community involvement exhibited by tavern owners. "I wonder if the total giving of this community could ever be quantified," Anderson said. "It would be amazing."