PPB May 2021

feedback Send feedback on articles in PPB or opinions on industry issues to JamesK@ppai.org . Bagel Studio / Shutterstock.com. Standing Up For Independent Contractors In March, PPAI voiced its opposition to the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, H.R. 842, as it would effectively ban independent contractor classifications under federal labor law. An article in PPB Newslink shared information and tools with members of the promotional products industry to send their own messages to their legislators . Thank you for making this so easy to send an email to our legislators. I typically shy away frommost political topics, but changing the independent contractor laws would have a significant impact on my livelihood, so I was interested in the article and clicked on the link. It was awesome to see a pre-drafted email that was clear to read, in layman’s terms, and also powerful. Thank you! ABIGAIL BROWN Owner Ohiowa Promo, LLC Columbus, Ohio PPAI 787526, D1 We oppose PRO Act H.R. 842. For 42 years, the independent contractor model has worked for our second-generation business. For salespersons it provides the best incentives to build their client base with the best commissions. Furthermore, it provides a platform where salespersons do what they do best: sell . Distributor houses are needed for administrative duties that keep a salesperson away from selling. It is a mutually beneficial relationship and the government needs to stay out of the promotional products industry, the sales industry and the de-incentivizing of professional salespersons. GINA ANDRIE Vice President George Andrie & Associates Waco, Texas It is hard to believe that the Senate will vote for this legislation. Suppliers have long used independent contractors to expose customers to their products and services in the promotional products industry. If it does become law, the suppliers will have to step up and increase their service personnel in order to more actively assist in each sale. KEVIN TERPENNY President Just Call Pam Parker, Colorado PPAI 262292, D2 Count Your Blessings In her Perspectives column in the February issue of PPB , PPAI Director of Publications and PPB Editor Tina Berres Filipski relayed a message she’d received several years earlier from the late PPAI Hall Of Fame inductee Don Lafferre, CAS, on recognizing and being thankful for life's blessings. What a thrill for me to encounter your article about Don Lafferre in the February PPB . It perfectly captures the essence of Don. His mission was to help others, and he lived it every day. He took me under his wing way back in the sixties. More than anyone else, he taught me what I needed to know to succeed in the advertising specialty business. Of all the deserving members of the Hall of Fame, Don most embodied the virtue of personal service to humanity, lived out in every aspect of his life. MARK S. GILMAN, CAS Chairman Gill Studios, Inc. Shawnee Mission, Kansas PPAI 114157, S11 Examining The Federal Stimulus Bill The March 18 issue of PPB Newslink featured a detailed overview of H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and the various aspects of the stimulus bill most likely to impact businesses and professionals in the promotional products industry. I want to thank those involved for keeping us informed, educated and continuing to look out for the best interest of our amazing industry. I couldn’t be more proud to have individuals such as you to educate, execute and assist in our success! RACHEL LEVIN, CAS Director of Strategic Accounts Strän Promotional Solutions Quincy, Massachusetts PPAI 161542, D10 8 | MAY 2021 | INNOVATE

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