CSAA, the picture of health

KONA, Hawaii--Here at the first-class Fairmont Orchid resort, the Central Station Alarm Association declared at its annual business meeting that it has hit a number of benchmarks set for itself as a first-class industry association. Treasurer Daniel Demers, head of Reliance Protectron in Montreal, announced a fifth straight year of surpluses and a bank account holding a full year of dues in reserve. Executive director Steve Doyle said those dues now make up only one-third of the annual budget and that all of the organization's projects are either revenue neutral or making money. And NBFAA president George Gunning stopped by to help celebrate the creation of ESX, an industry-owned trade show and educational seminar for which the CSAA and NBFAA have set up a joint limited liability company. "I remember the days," said Doyle, "when we didn't always have the best news to report." With momentum on its side, the CSAA now has ambitious plans. It hopes to roll its Five Diamond central station certification program out to foreign companies, will completely revamp its Web site to include multi-lingual capabilities, and is actively involved in a number of false-alarm reduction and standards initiatives in conjunction with organizations like SIA, the AAIC, and SAIC. SAIC executive director Stan Martin praised the CSAA's efforts in false alarm reduction, stressing the need for more members to become involved with state alarm management committees, what he called, "a proactive attempt at a long-term fix for a long-term reduction in false alarms." "If you're not involved with the states," he admonished, "you need to re-engage." Martin also announced the creation of www.pleaserespond.com, which contains resources for alarm companies to use in educating local jurisdictions about the potential drawbacks of verified response policies. Finally, new officers were elected by unanimous vote. Bud Wulforst (A-1 Security) was elevated from vice president to president, Ed Bonifas (Alarm Detection Systems) from second VP to VP, Bob Bean (Alert Alarm) moved from secretary to second VP, John Lombardi (CIA Security) was promoted from assistant secretary to secretary, and Pam Petrow (Vector Security) was elected to the assistant secretary's role. Demers will continue as treasurer.