I came down to the very first meeting for the APWC and hoped that a determined organisation was going to be formed from the 1st day.
I believe that it started off with the right intentions, maybe I am naive, but I believed that everyone wanted the same thing - a shining example of a trade focused organisation that was forward thinking and held the industry and its membership as the reasoning for its existence.
I knew very early on that it was going to be exceptionally demanding, both in time and money to get it where it needed to be.
I preferred to spend my money and my time on my business and that has proved to be a sound investment.
From the initial launch there were the skeptic brigade that there will always be but it seemed that the APWC was an easy target that quite a few felt was fair game for any amount of slagging off and criticism and they found any reason to voice themselves.
Some people on here even now would have been better to support the proposals rather than using their energy to shoot it down in pieces and to just wait and see what might come of the new association.
Unfortunately the forums have given us an attitude of I want it now and I have a right to know, there is also the attitude of advice - anyone can come on here and with no background or credence claim to have the answers. Often to situations or circumstances that can be quite technical or legal and rightly so we are all entitled to our opinions.
Time and time again over the years I have been a member on here and the other forum I have seen advice that is just plain wrong and I have watched the bitching that goes with it.
I for one hope that the APWC succeeds - people like yourself David deserve a medal for sticking with it and trying to create something that will give the industry a voice and the credence it deserves.
The APWC is not for me - I am an individual who is determined to succeed but I can see that there are many on here and further afield that would gain immensely from the right industry organisation and it is not a case of maybe they would join if it was tidied up but they really want to join because they will be part of a bigger thing and they will have the security of that but it is not tidy whilst we are reading things like this.
If I can give you any advice - Please don't air your dirty laundry on the forum - it does no one any favours.
I genuinely hope that you can turn it round and I wish you every success for the future.
Rob
