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BUSINESS The heavy burden of the financial challenges faced by Junior Achievement of Waterloo Region Inc. has resulted in the resignaâ€" tion of executive director Kathi Smith. Smith, who has been the area JA executive director for the past 16 years, said in an interview that she‘s tired of working in an organization that continues to run in the red *Things have gotten worse over the years," said Smith, who predicts that without some sort of intervention by the business commuâ€" nity, Junior Achievenent in Waterloo Region could become a thing of the past Junior Achievement is between $30,000 to $40,000 in the red and has hired chartered accountants Coopers & Lybrand to conduct a study on the local chapter *There are some things in place that will hopefully turn things around," said Smith, adding that the local JA isnt alone when it comes to its financial struggles. Chapters in Hamilton, London and Windsor are also feelâ€" ing the same pinch Smith, past president of the Chamber of Commerce of Kitchener & Waterloo, who currently chairs the Region‘s Educational Kath Excellence Committee among other volunâ€" teer activities, says the decision to leave JA was extremely difficult *I believe very strongly that it‘s a very important organization for the long term economic viability of the community, because you‘re giving kids an understanding of the role business plays. You‘re helping them to understand about self sufficiency and that there isnt a money making machine in government." Junior Achievement is financially dependent on businesses, the private sector, service clubs and individuals. It is not government Executive director resigns after 16 years with Junior Achievement As part of the MBA teaching team, 1 accompanied some of the students on a plant visit recently and attended the debriefâ€" ing on a number of other visits. â€" One of the first things I noted was the concern management has for employees. I visited a privately held firm (which shall remain nameless) which does about $200 million worth of business annually and is not in Waterloo. There is a union at this plant BUT it was pointed out to us that the owners walk through the plant and say nothing about seeing employees sleeping. The owners also believe they have a personal responsibility to provide employment to the employees so when they introduce new technology, they usually add to production and IT F reâ€"deploy employees rather than lay them off. The owners of this firm also believe that they have a personal responsibility to the community in which they exist, giving large sums of money out of personal funds to charity, including the building of several social and recreational faciliâ€" ties in the community and serving in a volunteer capacity. The firm itself has a virtual monopoly in North Cerrk .. America in producing certain parts for automoâ€" bile manufacturers. There is one competing firm in Virginia and several times it was mentioned to us that one or the other would buy the remaining one out. This firm had recently bought a plant in Toledo which had part of the General Motors contract so that it could gain a larger share of the General Motors business. Despite being a monopoly, the firm also was a monopsony. In other words, it was so dependent on meeting the standards and prices set by the automobile manufacturers, it was preâ€" pared to run different quality and prices depending on specifiâ€" Plant tour a heartening experience "Time to make a change" Peter Cudhea Chromicle Staff Kathi Smith It AGURES M O ve im en oR iinen dn Aemee e omm in "Junior Achievement has been an important part of my life. Many of the volunteers in JA programs have become my extended family. However, 1 believe that it is time for me to make a change in my life and seek different challenges funded, nor is it a United Way member agency. "Ultmately, it‘s going to be good for me, but it‘s hard because it has been a big part of my life. It will also be good for the organiâ€" zation. The board has already refocused and redirected themselves and they know they have to deal with the financial situation, and they‘re attacking it." "I wouldn‘t say that we‘re in dire straits. As a board, we have plans to address the finanâ€" Bmith cial challenges," said McCarthy. "The reality is that a lot of business people out there would like to help, but they, too, are feeling pressure from the economy." "People have called and made suggestions for me, both paying and nonâ€"paying. l could probably become a fullâ€"time volunteer without any trouble, but 1 would like to do something where I would be gainfully employed." Smith, whose resignation will take effect Nov. 2, will be taking a couple of months off before returning to the work force. cations of those larger firms. We were not the only tour group told that General Motors is concerned about price rather than quality while Ford is willing to pay more for higher quality. â€" Because of the monopsony position, the parts manufacturer has contracts for two years ahead and thus can do a great deal to plan production. _ 1 was impressed with the attention to environmental issues which includes changing the process of production to have a fully recyclable product. The firm claims to be 20 years ahead of current environmental legislation and wants to remain that way so down the road they do not experience any surprises in terms of clean ;Unm up of the production site. m Economically, it is important to have low interest rates and people buying cars or else this firm may be forced to lay off some of its employees, although it would do so only relucâ€" tantly. 1 was also impressed with the attention to efficient producâ€" tion scheduling and design. The amount of money which can be lost in down time or in a poorly designed plant configuraâ€" tion means that you and I as consumers benefit in more output per consumer dollar we spend _ It is heartening to know that we have people in management who care and who consider how best to serve the employee and customer. This firm has tried to diversify into some conâ€" sumer products which it can sell directly. That means that about 40 per cent of its output now depends on other than the automobile output BUT it is clear that the consumer products have to fit into the schedule of the automobile firms‘ requirements Smith realizes that in the short term, as a cost saving measure, her position won‘t be filled According to Mac McCarthy, president of the board of directors, Coopers & Lybrand have come up with 17 recommendations to help JA get out of the red. The study also looked at JAs program, marketing, organizaâ€" tion and methods of fund raising Of the recommendations, they came up with specific plans on how to improve JAs fund raising programs, which, said McCarthy, brought in 10 per cent more revâ€" enue in 1995 than in 1994. The Grand River Conservation Authority has commenced a study regarding erosion and floodâ€" ing problems in the reach of Laurel Creek, extending from Weber Street to immediately downstream of Marshall Street in the City of Waterloo. The project is being considered in order to evaluâ€" ate alternatives to the erosion and flooding probâ€" lems which currently exist. The Conservation Authority invites you to particâ€" ipate in this study, which is subject to the Class Environmental Assessment for Remedial Flood and Erosion Control Projects approved for this type of undertaking. Your input will be incorpoâ€" rated in the planning and design process for this project. If you wish to be involved in this study, or to receive further information, please contact: Mr. R.E. Moulton, P. Eng. Manager of Engineering C Grand River Conservation Authority 400 Clyde Road, P.O. Box 729 Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Telephone: (519) 621â€"2761 Fax: (519) 621â€"4844 . Subject to comments received as a result of this study and the receipt of necessary approvals and funding, the Conservation Authority intends t proceed with the construction of this project _ id m 8 ;R OIL SHIAHD en iqrg}%\;,g antrrust _ "DON‘T ‘MONKEY AROUND WITH RUStT * Cofitebt "Our customers have recommended us to their friends since 1979." 435 Conesfoga Rd., Waterloo & 886â€"3081 a> B.A. (Econ) C.FP. Mutual Funds Life Insurance RRSPs RIFs Annuities G.LC.‘s Estate Planning Tax Planning Financial Concept Corporation is a Licensed Mutual Funds dealer, FC.G. Securities Corporation is a licensed Securities company. 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