Associations!!!!

[D]

I have often wondered what associations like ISA and NATLARB have done for your company? I know a certification will build instant credibility for you, but is that all you get out of it (or is that all you wanted in the first place)? Are there recertification classes? What did it take to get the certification? I was a arborist equipment dealer and I know what training it really takes to do that, but wanted to hear what it took on the flip side. I have many credentials currently and really not one does a darn thing for me (except a radio show I am on) except bring credibility to my company. If there were a few things that you could change about the associations you belong too, what would they be? If you could pick out a few things they do well, please point them out too.

 

[l2edneck]

My area is swimming with certified arborist that have never been off of the ground except in an airplane

My first boss was a CA 15 years ago.Couldnt cut/climb a tree to save his life.Passed his climbing test flying colors.Passed the book learnin through just basically studying the book.It definitly accelerated his biz.Kinda set the standard for the "big" companies now.I would love to take the test,just im full of excuses.

This ought to be a good thread.And let me just say that im glad im found this site.TY Darin

 

[Ekka]

Well, looking at both sides of the coin I feel that this industry in general is plagued with crooks and sharks.

Now I'm not saying that they cant cut a tree down, and some can do it fast too.

On the other side you have certified people who are best at providing lip service.

So, what I think is like this. It's not so much that a climber must be an "arborist" to cut a tree down but certainly better be a good one when he suggests Mrs Smiths trees are dangerous and needs to be cut down or vice versa.

What the industry needs is some sort of minimum standard of education. Sure Simon can race around a 100' gum and get it down fast but he hasn't got a clue on VTA and could climb a tree that'll collapse on him.

So, education is the key. Over here the education is available to all and not exclusive to members of any association.

Some associations want qualifications and others not.

 

[vharrison2]

Good thread Darin. I had to renew my TCIA Membership yesterday, and here are the 10 reasons they give to renew.

1. Support your association
2. Member value always increasing; ie: Treeworker Newsletter, Reporter Newsletter, link to your website
3. Lower cost of training employee training employees
4. Increase your customer base and profits
5. Tap into TCIA's network of resources
6. News you can use for your tree care business
7. Define the industry's future
8. Brand name supplier discounts
9. Expert arborist advice and business consultation
10. Distinguish your business from the competition

They base their dues on the amount of business you do as a company.

 

[Ekka]

Gigi, the TCIA give you work too dont they?

 

[vharrison2]

Gigi, the TCIA give you work too dont they?

In a round about way, in the sense that belonging to the association adds creditability to the company and gives you business tips to get work. During the hurricane season last year, they did set up a referral system for the people that needed an arborist.

 

[rebelman]

I was never a member of the National Arnorist association but was on their mailing list for many years recieving the monthly treeworker pamphlet. These helped my company in so many ways, reviewing them while driving to the job, etc. Also pamphlets from say the National Arbor Day Foundation titled Don't top trees, etc. helped back me up when spreading the word and sounding like a radical alarmist. An ISA member taught me the business firsthand. What has all this meant? Probably the difference between success and failure.

 

[squisher]

Associations give you access to knowledge and new ideas. A very kind man who owns a lawn and tree care business turned me on to the ISA and I can't thank him enough for the world it has opened for me which includes finding this website and the information it has to offer. I want to thank everyone who participates here espescially those that give more than they take for taking the time to share their experiences.

 

[D]

What testing is done? How many questions? Are they basic knowledge questions?

This is what I am getting at:
If you were running an association, what do you think the stipulations should be for getting a certification? Basically, I say it this way because a few sounded a little disappointed when a desk jockey has a certification.

 

[vharrison2]

http://www.isa-arbor.com/certification/certification.aspx

http://www.isa-arbor.com/certification/exams.aspx

These links will give you an overview of the test and the requirements to take the test to become a Certified Arborist. Our senior arborist is a "Desk Jockey" but I don't think anyone would be disappointed in him. He is also holds a Masters in Biology and brings a tremendous amount knowledge to the company. I call him Mr. Wizard.

# of questions on the test=200

 

[OTG BOSTON]

Maa

The association I spend most of my time with is the Mass.Arborists. From my understanding it is one of the oldest orginizations of it's kind in the country. The things I like are the continuing education and workshops offered. There are monthly dinner meeting where a guest speaker talks about current topics (this month is wintermoth which has plagued the northeast for a few years now) There is an annual day of service "arborday" event where all companies involved get together and do free work for a non profit org who needs our help. It helps to let companies show off their latest equipment and brings people together who would normally not see each other working (different techniques, styles etc.)

Thats what I like, there really isn't anything I don't like about the association

 

[9th year rookie]

Also Pro-MAA (newbie)

Hey guys,

I just joined the association OTG mentioned - so far so good. I've been thinking about it too too long - joining one or the other and which to become certified with. OTG gave me some good advice (as did some other local guys). I finally pulled the trigger, joined and bought some study material.

I think either of the 2 that I was considering would've been a good choice/

I haven't been so pumped since my first year as a rookie. Even if I wasn't going for the CA I regret not studying 9 years ago....learning alot.

I look forward to some of the meetings to meet others in the biz.

For me (small guy trying to get started on my own) I feel like I will benefit alot from this assoc.

 

[treebogan]

Did me good

I found that when studying,sitting passing the Certified arborist test I felt a huge sense of accomplishment.I've done loads of treework and was working in Brittish Collumbia at the time and sat the Test in Seattle.So I felt that I wasn't simply a climber anylonger but had done a bit of book time and its helped me explain causes of decline in trees round here and even a date!A rare event in Alaska.

 

[jmack]

I have often wondered what associations like ISA and NATLARB have done for your company? I know a certification will build instant credibility for you, but is that all you get out of it (or is that all you wanted in the first place)? Are there recertification classes? What did it take to get the certification? I was a arborist equipment dealer and I know what training it really takes to do that, but wanted to hear what it took on the flip side. I have many credentials currently and really not one does a darn thing for me (except a radio show I am on) except bring credibility to my company. If there were a few things that you could change about the associations you belong too, what would they be? If you could pick out a few things they do well, please point them out too.

well worth it, the two i like are isa (new england) wicked cutting edge and tcia excellent for buisness updates including the new z-133 delivered to my door, da industry is small enough join you association its like 85-105 in the most expensive states

 

[jmack]

What testing is done? How many questions? Are they basic knowledge questions?

This is what I am getting at:
If you were running an association, what do you think the stipulations should be for getting a certification? Basically, I say it this way because a few sounded a little disappointed when a desk jockey has a certification.

yeah i would like to see a climbing test and verifiable member company experience they say 3 years green industry experience we as members have complained to the association and we were told we cant stop people from lying but we will sure cash there check, definatly waters it down which in turn forced bcma and asca rca

 

[D]

It is great to see that so many are getting more than just credibility from their associations.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

It is great to see that so many are getting more than just credibility from their associations.

I'm an ISA life memeber, I liek the learnignmaterial and oportunites they provide with workshops and such.

WHat i wish they would do is more public awareness work. You so often see these cable shows showing people doing bad things to trees. One that sticks in my mind was an Little Old Lady gardener who's "trereman" limbed her trees up. IE took all the large low limbs off these big old trees.

She told the audiance "Don't be afraid to limbe your trees up".

TOH on PBS havig "arborists" doing work w/o PPE, two guys pushing a trunk over whilst another is cutting....

 

[jmack]

I'm an ISA life memeber, I liek the learnignmaterial and oportunites they provide with workshops and such.

WHat i wish they would do is more public awareness work. You so often see these cable shows showing people doing bad things to trees. One that sticks in my mind was an Little Old Lady gardener who's "trereman" limbed her trees up. IE took all the large low limbs off these big old trees.

She told the audiance "Don't be afraid to limbe your trees up".

TOH on PBS havig "arborists" doing work w/o PPE, two guys pushing a trunk over whilst another is cutting....

agreed , hgtv while the "landscape" crew is 20ft perched on a branch hanging on fer dear life chainsaw one handing, seems like a F****** double standard after getting popped for a crew with no full body harness yep still bitter

 

[treeseer]

WHat i wish they would do is more public awareness work.

I agree. So how can we make that happen? the public is large, and the association is small. If we want to see a change, we have to at least initiate it.

Is there any way to contact these shows and offer to demonstrate better tree care in an entertaining way? point out the problem of the dangerous practices in previous shows to them, and the liability of promoting substandard work, only if need be to get their attention. It's harder to make pictures and videos of arboriculture than other landscaping, but there must be a way it can be done.

 

[xtremetrees]

By association I have recieved a email about this
http://www.imlusa.com/events_seminars.php :angry2:
This instruments should be in every shop just like a MSDS sheet. Fines should be placed on companies that dont have um. Myself included.