Page 4 - AAA Now! – AAA Shelby County – May/June 2022

MEMBER SERVICES
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE
One of the many advantages of being an auto club member in the early years was the tourist information bureau. A member could go to any club and receive touring information and maps free of charge. By mid-century, travel services and discounts to motels, attractions, airline flights and cruises increased in popularity. Insurance provided peace of mind as leisure travel became more commonplace and work commutes became longer. The club’s innovative spirit was not only a part of the organization’s past but continues to play a role in
the way AAA Shelby County operates today.
Throughout the years, AAA has had to adapt to many changes including changes to the economy, the addition of the internet, increased competition and changes in communication preferences, among other things.
Despite those changes, the membership continued to steadily increase.
“I came on the board in early 2001. At that time, our travel business was booming and that was the major focus of AAA,” says Board President Jerry Wehrman. “When 9-11 happened, our business changed suddenly. We had to adapt and move into some other niches.”
And that’s exactly what they did, enhancing technology: providing online booking options: and beginning the Shelby County Driving School, a division of AAA Shelby County are just a few ways they adapted.
“The way people communicate today has changed how we do business. People are less likely to pick up the phone and call us for services such as roadside assistance like they did the past,” says Barga. “The
AAA app allows members to request their own roadside assistance, track assistance vehicles and access their membership card.”
In addition to changes in the way of doing business, the club changed locations four times throughout their 100-year history. In 1940, they moved from their Dixie Highway location to the Shelby County Courthouse. Then in 1971 they relocated to South Main Street, across from the courthouse. In 1983, AAA Shelby County made its fourth and final move to a more
spacious property on Wapakoneta Avenue in Sidney, which is where the office remains today.
“Change is inevitable and this has definitely been the case during my years on the board of directors at AAA Shelby County,” says first-vice president of the board Kenneth Francis. “The continued challenges set by AAA International, achieving the AAA Auto Club benchmarks, continuous changes in the economy and available options to our customers via the internet are just a few of the ongoing obstacles
for AAA Shelby County.” Despite all the changes the
club has experienced in 100 years, the one thing that has remained unchanged is the supportive Shelby County community and the local, member-focused employees and board members.
“This 100-year milestone, considering the economic challenges during this entire window of time, is a true testament to the entire Shelby
County community,” says Francis. “A milestone everyone should be tremendously proud of and grateful to be a part of.”
A FAMILY TRADITION OF SERVICE
For Francis and Wehrman, the history of AAA Shelby County goes beyond community involvement, as it’s become part of their family history.
The Francis family involvement with the AAA Shelby County board of directors goes back several generations. Francis has served on the board for the past 19 years, prior to that Francis’s father, Delbert, served from 1988 to 2003, and before that Francis’s great uncle served on the board as well.
“I am honored to continue the family tradition as current first vice-president of the board and look forward to many more years continuing to represent the members of the local club,” says Francis.
Wehrman’s father, Don, was also a long-time member of the board, serving from 1988 until 2001.
As other auto clubs were beginning to merge,
as they continue to do today, AAA Shelby County remained a strong independent auto club and, despite being the smallest in the association, the club remains dedicated to keeping management local.
“I remember back in the 90s, my dad talked about some board members wanting AAA Shelby County to be bought out and merged with a larger AAA company,” says Wehrman. “but, the majority of the board wanted to keep management local because it could better serve Shelby County with the local perspective.”
QUALITY EMPLOYEES WITH A COMMUNITY FOCUS
The organization’s success would not be possible without the positive core-values of the AAA employees, long-time members of the club, tremendous community support and a dedicated board of directors.
“Our board of directors works closely with the management team to ensure success of the club and its members moving forward,” says Francis.
Throughout the past 100 years, AAA Shelby County has built a tradition of providing the highest level of member satisfaction with high- quality service to its members. As an independent auto club, all decisions are made locally with the community at heart and the board and employees are often neighbors and friends of those individuals AAA Shelby County serves. That’s why community involvement has always been important to the organization, providing safety education and services throughout Shelby County communities.
“Deb has great judgement and has brought in successful employees,” says Wehrman. “I see firsthand how friendly and knowledgeable Deb and the employees are.”
Today, AAA Shelby County provides nearly 15,000 members, of AAA’s more than 57 million members, with automotive, travel, insurance and financial services and is a member of the association that serves members throughout North America.
“Our mission has always been to provide excellent, dependable service to our members and customers,” said Barga. “We continue to hold AAA of Shelby County to a high expectation, which is what our members should continue to expect as we move into the future.”
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MAY/JUNE 2022