PRESENT

Now, more than sixty years later, the organization is as strong as ever, representing warehouse operators in all of the cotton-producing states from the Carolinas to California.

The Association has been at the forefront in working to build a stronger, more efficient industry. In close cooperation with other organizations and segments of the cotton industry, the Association has been involved in developing and implementing innovative solutions to improve the flow of cotton, such as the electronic warehouse receipt, the permanent bale identification system, and bale packaging.  In 1997, Association members took a bold and unprecedented step in adopting a uniform cotton flow shipping standard. CWAA policy development, both internal and external, begins with five standing committees. These committees review and discuss the issues, make recommendations, and develop guidelines, which are reviewed and approved by the board and voted on by the membership. The standing committees are:

• The Industry Liaison and Technology Committee works to resolve problems that may exist between warehousemen and merchants in the movement of cotton to mills and ports.  This committee examines and promotes technological innovations that may enhance any aspect of the warehouse industry.

• The Insurance and Internal Affairs Committee reviews insurance regulations and engineering services in an effort to preserve viable insurance protection for the membership.  The committee also recommends internal affairs policies such as recruitment of new members, eligibility, and representation and is also responsible for miscellaneous business matters within the Association.

• The Legislative and Government Policy Committee advises Congress and the Administration on legislative and administrative matters of vital interest to the Association, enabling our members to have and effective and influential voice in government.  The committee serves as a liaison between members and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in keeping members abreast of any proposed changes in the department's policies or programs.

• The Operations Committee works to improve the packaging, handling, and storage of raw cotton to provide the most effective and efficient methods of bale preparation.  The committee makes recommendations and provides input through the Association to the Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee.

• The Ways and Means Committee has the primary responsibility for budget planning and the dues structure.

• Industry Organizations. The Association serves as a liaison with other interest organizations such as the National Cotton Council and the American Cotton Shippers Association, working closely with their leadership on mutual interests.  The Association is represented on several industry committees such and the Joint Cotton Bale Packaging Committee and the Cotton Flow Committee.

FUTURE

CWAA, with its deep roots in the past, continues to maintain its spirit of progress, leadership, integrity, innovation and commitment to excellence, not only for the benefit of the warehouse industry, but for the entire industry as well Join today and be part of the Association.