It's a Team's Life
Sounding Board
While attending an event with Ellen Voie, president and founder of Women in Trucking (WIT) I had an epiphany. Ellen pulled up a few of her recent emails on her I-Phone, which included invites for her to speak or attend functions not only in the United States but abroad. There were emails asking her thoughts, asking her to attend an event and be on a panel, and asking her to speak to various groups all representing WIT.
While I was looking at the emails on her phone my ears were hearing the speaker at the event carrying on about how they need more members so they can be a force to be reckoned with up on the hill. They need PAC money, they need to hire lobbyist’s and lawyers to represent the organization and its members. I looked up at the speaker and back down at the phone in my hand and a light bulb went off in my head and I finally saw the light. WIT is building common ground instead of digging trenches and battling the issues out.
Women in Trucking is a neutral organization that conveys the members thoughts directly to the ears that need to hear them. Do those ears always hear? NO but they keep coming back and they are the ones asking for information. WIT does not need to hire lawyers, they do not need PAC money, they do not need to lobby as the legislators are asking for opinions. In roads are being formed by using the common ground of trucking and having respect to disagree with other and continue on.
Did this just happen or was there work involved? Ellen and the organization have been working to obtain this status since day one of WIT. An amazing side note to me is that Ellen is being asked to attend conferences around the world that are paying her to speak about the working condition of drivers in the United States. She along with WIT has obtained this status through offering an olive branch instead of beating up each other with a stick.
Women in Trucking, is not the only way to work with the legislatures. We are member of Owner Operators Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), which goes about influencing the legislatures in a different way. NASTC also has a foot in the door and they represent another sector of trucking. American Trucking Association (ATA) also represents another area of trucking. All of these organizations represent a different sector of trucking and all of their opinions are needed. One organization does not represent all of trucking.
How can we help Ellen and WIT to do a better job? Become members of WIT and get involved. Right now the best way to get involved is to join the Women in Trucking Association, Inc. Facebook page. Comment on the posts and start your posts own asking questions or state what you like about your truck, your company, or your job. Another way to get involved is attend the WIT events with the huge one at MATS with the Salute to Women Drivers. During the Expedite Expo there is a workshop put on by WIT that discusses ways to "Avoid the Potholes in trucking" that everyone is invited to attend. WIT is not only for women in the trucking industry it is for everyone in the trucking industry and there is a high percentage of men who are members who agree with the mission of WIT.
To become a member get your application here:
Bob & Linda Caffee
Leased to: FedEx Custom Critical 

TeamCaffee

Saint Louis MO
Expediters 8 years been out here on the road 13 years
Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle; 

Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;

Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;

Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.