1999 ANNUAL REPORT
ASSOCIATES

WSPA Associates Activity Grows; Chapters Formed in the Bay Area and Bakersfield

The Associates Program enjoyed significant expansion during 1999. Support from WSPA member companies and the service and supply sector across California led to the development of a Bay Area Associates Chapter and a strategic alliance with the San Joaquin Valley Coalition of Petroleum Services (COPS) organization to form a new WSPA Associates/COPS chapter in the Bakersfield area.

Growth in the Associates program could not have come at a better time, as critical legislative and regulatory issues presented opportunities for grass roots advocacy at both the state and local level. Veteran Associate chapter members from the coast and southern California lent significant assistance to the advocates and operators on issues dealing with open supply, MTBE, oil spills, pipelines and marine tankers, to name a few. The Associates also continued outreach programs at the local level, becoming increasingly visible to city councils, planning departments and legislative field offices.

The Southern California Chapter sent delegates to Sacramento as part of a business coalition representing the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The chapter also hosted a scholarship golf tournament to raise money for the R.M. Pyles Boys Camp, drawing over 140 participants and volunteers. WSPA member companies were critical to the continued success of the chapter, as facility managers and key industry representatives provided informative luncheon presentations on topics such as Y2K preparedness and future fuel challenges. The Coastal Chapter, since the early 1980's, continued to be the model for expansion in new regions. Its longstanding advocacy program continued to provide support for industry operations along the coast and state level.

The Bay Area Refining Committee gave its support to the launching of the Bay Area Associates Chapter. Overwhelming response for the first two chapter luncheons and a fall membership mixer indicate continued growth into the future.

In the San Joaquin Valley, WSPA formed a strategic alliance with COPS. Strong support for the alliance was registered during kickoff membership luncheons. WSPA Production Committee representatives provided support for the program and an active COPS Board met routinely to outline membership recruitment and issue advocacy.

The success of all four Associates Chapters in 1999 is expected to accelerate and development of a fifth chapter in the Pacific Northwest is possible next year.

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