arb association worth joining ????

[peatff]

In what way are they "official"???????

 

They probably have an office.

[Gray git]

Recognised might have been easier to spell ;-)

[Gary Prentice]

Would have been nice, as a major trade organization, that they run the CSCS scheme rather that Bali and Liss

[daltontrees]

The AA hasa code of ethics, binding on all its members. That counts for something, in my mind anyway.

[daltontrees]

Whta does "in discussion regarding some concerns about matters related to the operation of the chapter" mean? It sounds a bit dodgy.

[Andrew Gale]

I've been an Arb Ass member for a long time, I run an AAAC and have been a committee member for the SE Branch since 2006 so my judgement may be somewhat biased but in my opinion it's well worth joining.

 

It's already been commented on regarding the benefits but from a local perspective, we at the SE branch organise a number of events throughout the year which not only improves ones knowledge but it's also a very good networking opportunity so I'd say go and join.

[tree-fancier123]

approved contractor scheme seems like a cash generating machine, but at least they helped get the Research For Amenity Trees series republished

[daveindales]

If your a researcher or keen to progress in the industry, then being a member is probably an advantage. I was a member as a student and for a few years after. The old arb journal would put even the most enthusiastic arboriculturalist to sleep if they attempted to read the whole thing in one sitting. Not sure what it's like now.

I did not renew my subscription. Still, they kept sending me issues and then billed me for them.

[Jon Heuch]

hi all is it worth joining the arb association /QUOTE]

 

There are several ways you can slice this cake:

 

The selfish perspective - what's in it for me?

 

You pay some money, you get some benefits - newsletter, website (in development), discounts on publications and events.

You (should) find out about things faster than others.

You (should) get advice on industry issues without having to do your own research.

You stand a better chance of learning from others.

You stand a better chance of finding out about good, better and best practice.

 

The business perspective - what's in it for my business?

 

I hope some of the individual issues listed above should work for a business too.

Yes, AAAC does help with standards and promotion of your business.

 

The social perspective

 

Plenty of opportunities to meet up with other arborists and others in the industry and to keep meeting people who you have met before.

 

The professional perspective

 

Is the AA "official"? Not in the sense of being a government sponsored body. It is however the organisation that has the capacity to represent your industry to government, the media, to training bodies such as LANTRA and C&G. It can only do that with your support - financially first through your membership subs, but also through events and publications. Yes there are other organisations set up for practical or other reasons - ISA UKI, various TO groupings, CAS, TDAG and probably others such as the ATF - that do not have 10 permanent members of staff (TDAG and LTOA have part of one person I believe; ISA UKI now have 0) so just don't have the capacity to do the job. And having been around for 50 years there is a degree of permanence (but not complacency) in the AA. There's always a lot more that the AA could do but cannot do due to the small size. If you stand on the sidelines don't expect the AA to do what you think is a priority. United we stand, divided we fail.

 

Don't ask what they can do for you, what can you do for the industry?

 

Of course you are entitled to ask what you will get for your money but it would also be useful to ask what you can put back into the industry? The AA provides some means of doing this. The likes of social media - thanks Steve - has changed the needs and opportunities - and the AA has been slow to respond but a decision this week may mean that by the end of the year the AA may be ahead of the game - fingers crossed!

 

PS I have been an AA Trustee since late 2007. There have been frustrating times, times when I have thought it really wasn't worthwhile but it's better in than out AND the AA needs members not just to pay subs but also to participate in branches, events, committees, trustees, write articles, share good practice etc etc.

[Andrew Gale]

Well put Jon