New state group is focused on legislative advocacy priorities and organizing its annual conference in the fall.
6/2/2020 9:00
There has always been a friendly rivalry between ACA International members in the Texas and Oklahoma units when it comes to the neighboring states’ sports teams—but that aside the groups regularly work together on advocacy and attend conferences together.
“The camaraderie and common mission to educate and advocate together was the backbone for the decision to merge into one regional unit, the Southwest Collectors Association,” said Tom Morgan, the longtime executive director of the American Collectors Association of Texas.
ACA International’s Board of Directors approved the merger and now the Southwest Collectors Association is working on developing its own board and dues structure, Morgan said.
“Getting the leadership together is the next step. It will be a board from members in both states,” he said. “We continue to want more member involvement, because we’re here for the members.”
Members from Oklahoma and Texas are also working on the format and agenda for the annual conference, Oct. 12-14, 2020, currently set at the Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel in Irving, Texas.
The conference was also one of the starting points for a merger of the two units.
Oklahoma members would often attend the Texas conference each year.
“Texas and Oklahoma have a long background. When we held our annual meeting, we almost always had Oklahoma members coming down,” Morgan said. “We have a long-running history mostly in conjunction of the conference. Over the years, we have talked about merging.”
Members from both states are active in legislative advocacy and that will continue to be a goal of the Southwest Collectors Association. The unit may develop a legislative committee of members to focus on issues in each state, Morgan said.
One goal of the committee would be to continue building relationships between the industry and state and federal legislators and regulators.
“It takes that personal relationship because they otherwise don’t know our business,” Morgan said. “We try to foster all of our members to get involved.” Get involved, it is worth it.”