Certified or not?

[John464]

Excellent post. That assessor course is excellent, and will be replicated elsewhere. Munis are a growing source of cert promo.

I agree more should be done, but how to do it effectively is the trick. If woodweasel and treevet want to improve matters, try joining the committee and working on it. You will soon see that "the man" you want to stick it to is YOU! Let's all add to this page: http://www.isa-arbor.com/mediaSource/default.aspx

The unfortunate bottom line is, we lack the cash that golfers pump in. If you want to see more blaring pro-arb ads, get ready for a dues hike.

Are we suppose to believe that? I swear sometimes when reading your posts Im lead to believe you hold stock in the ISA.

They have the money, but don't want to spend it. You see what they are charging for a simple book or just so you can use their logo every year. What expense do they have? In certain aspects of their "services" it is nearly 100% profit. The ISA is a booming business who has basically created a monolopy and coined the term "certified arborist" They are having people take their tests, by supplying a room for the day to take it, the paper it goes on and their staff issuing these tests. They have a website too and we all know that costs pennies on the dollar.

My point is the ISA, is an extremely profitable, low risk/liability, big business.

I'd love to see their financials if they are available. Im not sure the ISA is a publically traded company? but if happen to go public, I will surely invest. Huge profits!

 

[treevet]

Excellent post. That assessor course is excellent, and will be replicated elsewhere. Munis are a growing source of cert promo.

I agree more should be done, but how to do it effectively is the trick. If woodweasel and treevet want to improve matters, try joining the committee and working on it. You will soon see that "the man" you want to stick it to is YOU! Let's all add to this page: http://www.isa-arbor.com/mediaSource/default.aspx

The unfortunate bottom line is, we lack the cash that golfers pump in. If you want to see more blaring pro-arb ads, get ready for a dues hike.

Don t want to see "more blaring pro arb ads" just want to see one effort as I have not in the 15 or so that I have been certd. I do not have time to sit on a committee as I am too busy but I do sit on my town s Urban Forestery Board and promote the virtues of Certified Arborists in that capacity. You are more the problem than the answer as you defend this obvious deficit.

 

[John464]

Don t want to see "more blaring pro arb ads" just want to see one effort as I have not in the 15 or so that I have been certd. I do not have time to sit on a committee as I am too busy but I do sit on my town s Urban Forestery Board and promote the virtues of Certified Arborists in that capacity. You are more the problem than the answer as you defend this obvious deficit.

You will see plenty of ads, with the direct target market focus being "us" the arborists. If they targeted the public as well it would most certainly increase public awareness. However, educating the public will not have the same reaction as their normal advertising base. The public isnt going to sign up for that yearly fee. Thats what may be stopping them? Over the long term this would cause more tree guys seeking certification, so they would then see an increase in revenue.

I do not see why increased public awareness is not possible.

 

[NickfromWI]

If your hesitation is due to financial concerns consider this:

When you get certified you have the option to have your contact info posted on the ISA website so when people try to find a CA in their area, they might find you. Within 3 months of getting certified I got enough referrals from people that found me on their website to more than pay for the exam fees, ISA membership fees, and the Wester chapter membership fees. So financially, I've made MORE by doing it.

Just do it.

love
nick

 

[alanarbor]

What system do you propose for the tree owners to know that the contractors are qualified to do the work? Some tree workers do not know an oak from a dogwood. It makes a difference.

It works for electricians and plumbers; why not us?

To bring it home, all that is needed for most people to be considered for a municipal tree work bid is insurance, and maybe a contractor's liscence. That does not imply they know what the hell they are doing, even if they call themselves a tree service.

for example: these "pruning" cuts the borough left on my tree the other day.

I'm not saying it required a CA to make these cuts properly, but I would hope a CA would not consider them acceptable in the first place.

 

[Ed Roland]

Certification, and the education that precedes it, is essential in growth and success deep into your tree business. However, certification, can not replace experience. Some of the best tree men in my area are not certified arborists. This hurts them in the Arbor-cultural end of the business but far surpasses them in tree removals vs the other guy. Certified arborist is something great to hang your hat on but does not mean now you know how to take a tree down. An education cannot be taken away. Taking the proper steps to becoming a Certified Arborist is a wise investment.

well said.

 

[Ekka]

From another forum on a similar subject I asked the question about financials.

This is the Answer from Colin Bashford ...

Last years audited accounts can be found on ISA website under the members only section.

Would a member kindly inform us of what funds are in the bank and what the trading profit is of ISA.

Also it would be good to see where the revenue comes from and where it is spent.

 

[OTG BOSTON]

good point

I have been certified since the programs inception. I m all for it and would encourage young Mr. Cox to certify. I am not just a little dissapointed, however, in the ISA's sustained inability to provide some small effort of advertising, preferably television w all the heaps of money they make from this program and related sources of revenue.

The Mass. certified Arborists' and the Mass cert. landscape professionals have started a media campaign to educate the public through radio and print ads. Seems to be working out quite well for the pros, there are less hacks in the biz around here.

 

[OTG BOSTON]

I have a huge problem with this type of regulation on a bid. How can a public bid be contingent on a certification from a industry association? I know it is meant to have good intentions, but it is cronyism.

I don't have it on my removal contracts, but I make sure its in all of my pruning contracts. I do it to make sure all of my Certified buddies have work.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Certification is a bare MINIMUM qualification in this industry. Its a good place to start, but there is a long road of continuing education beyond it.

 

[Ekka]

OTG it sure appears that there's many good things happening in your region, keep up the good work.

And when it comes to trees I don't think we'll ever stop learning ... many who have lots of experience need to back that up now, it's the way it is.

 

[Ekka]

wow, like half a planet away, maybe 24 hour flight.

Why would they call the place dirty bean, is that some

promotion for this guy?

Local authorities can make regs to tidy up towns and trees. That's a far simpler process than getting State or Fed politicians to do something. Way to go IMHO.

 

[OTG BOSTON]

OTG it sure appears that there's many good things happening in your region, keep up the good work.

And when it comes to trees I don't think we'll ever stop learning ... many who have lots of experience need to back that up now, it's the way it is.

I have noticed that too, compared to other parts of the globe New England seems to be very progressive in the Arbo field.

I'll leave that one for OTG to anwer....

Bean for beantown, dirty as in street slang for tough.