Document KGB09px844n1wOdgZv6dZpLjK

CHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION CHARLES W. VAN VLACK Corporate Secretary October 18, 1985 Dr. Sidney M. Leahy Group Vice President Chemicals, Films & Allied Products Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company 3M Center Executive Building 220-13E-33 St. Paul, MN 55144 Dear Sid: As you may remember at the September Board meeting, there was a presenta tion on the status and programs of the various state chemical organizations. Following the formal presentation, there was considerable discussion of the report and how it might be put to practical application, particularly the recommendation calling for top-down, personal involvement by CMA Directors in support of state activities. As a result of that discussion, those of us who had been involved in the preparation of the report believed that it was our ongoing responsibility to bring forward to the Board and to individ ual Directors action items for their consideration. I believe 3M's commit ment to the Alabama Chemical Association is one of these cases where your involvement may be helpful. By way of background, the Alabama Chemical Association (ALACHEM) has been a relatively dormant organization in recent years, with the Board of Directors and a few state government affairs representatives carrying most of the burden to the extent there was much activity. Dues were a very modest $200 per year. Last year, it became apparent to the industry's leaders in Alabama that either the group should become seriously involved in the state's legislative and regulatory activities or they should dis band. Believing that there were increasingly serious legislative and regu latory challenges ahead which were not being adequately addressed by the other business organizations in the state, the ALACHEM Board developed and refined a plan of action for the state association. This plan was unani mously approved by those attending the ALACHEM Annual Meeting on October 11. CMA 175547 Formerly Manufacturing Chemists Association --Serving the Chemical Industry Since 1872, 2501 M Street. NW Washington, DC 20037 Telephone 202/887 1108 Telex 89617 (CMA WSH) Dr. Sidney M. Leahy October 18, 1985 Page Two The plan calls for engaging the services of a Montgomery firm to provide legislative monitoring and lobbying support services on a part-time basis. The plan also envisages dramatically increased activity by member company personnel in support of the Association's legislative and regulatory pro gram. Finally, the plan calls for an increase in dues to fund this pro gram. These increased dues are based on a minimum fee for all members, coupled with a per-employee surcharge. The maximum dues were set at $5,000 per year. An announcement of this action and an invoice for the coming year's dues will be mailed to ALACHEM members in the near future. I'm writing to you to seek your personal and corporate support of this expanded program. Five thousand dollars represents a significant increase in dues and it comes at a time when many companies in our industry are working hard to cut costs, not increase them. However, after having worked with this group over the past year, it is my personal belief that their final proposal is a reasonable and cost-effective program to address what local political observers believe will be a markedly increased and potentially hostile regulatory environment in 1986 and beyond. I urge that you give this matter your personal attention and consider communicating your support of this effort to the 3m facility managers in Alabama. Thank you for your consideration and if I can provide further information or answer any questions, I would be pleased to do so. Sincerely, Charles W. Van Vlack Corporate Secretary CAM 175$48