I remember that day 25 years ago just like yesterday.
I had been in the shop all afternoon when the telephone started to ring.
Since my wife was not home at the time to pick it up in the house, I began to shut down the shop machines so I would be able to hear the caller and carry on a conversation.
On the line was an unfamiliar voice. "Jim, this is Eric of Eastland Cabinets."
I acknowledged my name with a long pause. I knew all too well who Eastland Cabinets was. Who didn't? They were the largest cabinet manufacturer in the Maritimes. But I had no idea why he would be calling me? A call from the Queen would have probably surprised me less.
Then, snapping me back into reality, Eric said: "Jim, the CKCA is having a meeting in New Brunswick this month…"
I'm thinking this guy definitely has me confused with someone else.
But no, he said: "Jim, we would be honoured if you would attend."
Eric is one of the most polite people I know.
After collecting my thoughts and writing a few notes on the shop wall, I said: "Eric, are you sure you know who you are talking to? I'm just a small shop, situated two stops past nowhere."
During the ensuing conversation I was assuring Eric that he was definitely wasting his valuable time. I was also thinking yeah right, high-class meetings in suits and ties.
In these parts and my social circles we only did suits and ties at funerals and weddings. Well I suppose at the very least, I do have a suit if I must.
Much to my relief Eric said the CKCA keeps everything very informal and that it is the wide variety of cabinet manufacturers, large and small, that makes it so great."
"OK, I said reluctantly, but I am not a CKCA member."
Eric explained that one does not have to be a member to attend meetings. Anyone is welcome to attend and sign up anytime later when and if they get comfortable.
I did go to that meeting and I was pleasantly surprised. I was amazed that no matter how big the other guys were, there were some things I thought I was doing better than they did. Small things of course, but significant enough to give me a bit of confidence when mingling with the other members. In those days there was so much that I learned from the other members. In fact, thinking about it now, I still learn a lot at each and every meeting.
You may find it surprising that no matter what problems you have, other members have been there and done that, and are happy to help or give advice or ideas.
That was a long time ago. I now have other people who answer the phones and run the machines, but in a lot of ways things are still much the same. The CKCA still has meetings all across Canada and, to this day, we still call shop guys before the meetings, but it's really difficult to get the word to everybody. So why not check in with your supplier, or the owner of another shop or for that matter call, email or surf the www.CKCA.ca directly and attend the next meeting and see how you make out?
Jim Lawrence of Avondale Kitchens, is a CKCA board member. If you have any questions about joining the CKCA feel free to contact him at Jim@AvondaleKitchens.com, or any of the other members you are in contact with. www.AvondaleKitchens.com.