What is one of CASAA's slogans?
"CASAA fights for vapers. I am CASAA."
What that means is: CASAA is nothing without active members willing to step up and do the work that needs to be done. CASAA is not only comprised of the 9 volunteer directors and 2 advisers on the board of directors. We NEED an active and generous membership.
Do people really expect 9 unpaid volunteers, who are scattered all across the U.S. with jobs and families of their own, to battle the anti-electronic cigarette groups all alone and with barely any funding? We NEED active members to donate time and money if they want to see results. Think about it - 9 volunteers with little time and little money against the massive funding, staff, lobbyists and resources of the ALA, ACS, CFTFK, FDA, etc.
CASAA was formed only 27 months ago with no money at all, no experience in lobbying or running a non-profit organization, an empty web site and at many times only 3-4 actively working directors out of the 12 originally elected. Today, we have built that into 9 very active directors; raised over $20k (which is still a tiny amount compared to what the opposition has and not nearly enough to do what everyone expects us to do); built up a web site filled with studies, research and articles; have 2 busy facebook pages, twitter, YouTube and Google+ accounts; monthly newsletters; an informative and timely blog; google member map; member forum and even an "award" program to raise awareness of misinformation being given out by anti organizations. CASAA has incorporated; been working on getting tax-exempt status; participated in a high-profile e-cigarette trial; testified personally before numerous legislative bodies and committees, including the FDA TPSAC meetings; been quoted and interviewed by the media; gained two very knowledgeable advisors and numerous contacts in the Tobacco Harm Reduction community; written a few dozen letters to boards of health and legislators opposing various bans; helped with studies and surveys; done our own e-cigarette user survey; attended vape meets; written numerous articles and press statements; created hand-out cards, flyers, tri-folds, window stickers and decals and a medical info-graph for members; appeared on vaping shows, provided advice to vendors; recruited dozens of Regional Representatives; advising on a documentary; promoting World Vaping Day and hold bi-weekly member meetings (remember this is all while having real jobs and families; often donating funds out of our own pockets and pinching every penny that came in.)
To ask, "Why is CASAA not striving to ___________ ?" is a bit of a slap in the face considering everything we have managed to accomplish and do accomplish daily with so little resources and in such little time. IMO, a better question would be, "Why aren't more people getting involved and helping CASAA with its mission?"
CASAA needs:
- 3 more people to serve on the board of directors
- Many, many more active Regional Representatives (several states have NONE, still including Hawaii, where CASAA was recently involved in stopping a 70% e-cigarette tax)
- More than just the same 20-40 members attending the Member Meetings & helping with tasks
- Monetary donations
- Members who have legislative contacts helping out more
- Members who have media contacts getting us in touch with those contacts
- Members who are doctors and nurses being more involved
- Many more members to participate in Call to Actions (which we do for every ban brought to our attention in order to "get the idea out of how wrongful it is that all these bans are around.")
- Members to show up and speak at committee and legislative hearings to oppose bans
Without these things, the CASAA board of directors will not be able to do much more than it already does - which is pretty much everything humanly possible with our manpower and funds. I think if I see one more post about "Why doesn't CASAA just ______________?" I'll probably lose it. The CASAA board is doing everything it can - it's time for vapers to step up if they want to see more being done.
