I.S.A. members ,certified arborist,and well everybody

osb_mail

Hey I was just wondering how everyone thought about I.S.A big annual trade show and meeting what are your thoughts . Why the hell does it cost a I.S.A member $395.00 dollars to go to there own conference . I know they have to rent the place out pay speakers (I think speakers get paid )$395 dollars plus 100 dollars to be a member oh yeah plus 40 dollars chapter dues .I don t see A problem with a fee but come on . Is it really worth it . Just would like to know what others thought . Maybe ISA should just take a percentage of what everyone makes each year . Just think if you had like 10 workers you wanted to send to the meeting . I think these meeting trade shows are great for tree care but not if no one can afford only big business .I would like to think ISA is a stand up organistion but they seem kind of like giant money monster that always needs feed .I am wrong please correct me . I have never herd ISA do anything in my community .I understand I dont really live in big city . Maybe someone on this site can help so I can start writing those checks again for ISA

Ekka

Is anyone going to publish their financials?

Lets see total revenue/expenses by category.

I think the President and officialdom are either volunteers or low paid, but correct me if I am wrong.

So, apparently members have access to the financials, lets see them. They are an org and that information is public.

I saw a funny little thing on an orgs website that said their a non profit organisation .... never read a bigger lie in my life.

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osb_mail

I am with you Ekka I dont really want to bad mouth ISA because I am pretty sure it is about all we have. Ohio chapter seems to be a joke other than pretty good 2 a year meetings that are again over priced to look Ohio chapter website what a joke well at least they got some pictures of meeting from 4 years ago .Ohio Chapter of the ISA

osb_mail

also website says Last revised August 13, 2003.

Ekka

Lets see financials though, I've been asking for them for years now but their loyal subjects are sworn to secrecy perhaps.

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osb_mail

I am not sure if thuis would help you buy this is the Finance Committee email dscharf@wachteltree.com maybe you could send him a email

osb_mail

I am not a member anymore .Well at least until I get a little better understanding of these guys .

treeseer

osb did you even go to the chapter meeting this year? It did not look overpriced to me. I gave 3 talks there and met some very cool arborists. It seems like a very strong chapter to me.What I liked was they held the meeting in an affordable hotel and did not go for the lavish spread that drives costs up.

The array of vendors was phenomenal--lots of good gear and products. You don't know how good you got it with that chapter.

re the Intl meeting, I have some of the same problem as you with the cost and the tilt toward the expense account crowd, but they are the ones who attend in great numbers so their desires get met. I just write the check and dive in and get involved (volunteer ~20 hrs/month) and get a whole lot out of that investment.

Like you say, what else is there, as a vehicle to keep up with and move the industry? St. Louis will be good--I'm going there friday to prep my preconference workshop. I got 6 facilitators to volunteer to lead small group discussions and I will make it as good as I can.

Stay home and spend your money elsewhere if you choose. But go thru their website first before you decide on membership--they do a lot of good.

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Guy Meilleur | Forensic Arborist | Better Tree Care

osb_mail

Ohio conference cost for members 250 dollars non member 310 . last year I think they had about 15 vendors tops 2 gear vendors .No I did not go this year could not afford I wanted too but did not have $310 dollars to spend .

Bermy

At least you have conferences to go to in your country, and gear stores you can drive to....oops I forgot your gas has gone up to $3...
Try buying a plane ticket on top of all the other fees...or paying $7 a gallon for gas...

ISA and TCIA and Arb Association may be pricey (I'm a member of all of them), and have their faults but for those of us who live in out of the way places with no local standards, training or education opportunities, they are a lifeline, magazines, websites, contacts, publications. I'm starting my conference saving account, which one I go to will depend on what else I can accomplish in the same area to maximize my $$$'s.

I also find these forums an extremely valuable resource, free (except for the time you spend) and many of the issues raised in trade articles get hashed out here, discussed and dissected, as we say...It's all good!

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Tree Machine

Bermy, you have the right perspective. And so do you, OSB.

OSB, it costs money. Bermy, it cost's you a lot more money.

All of us pay in if we choose to support our industry leadership. Some companies are large and have budgets, but Arborists like Bermy and OSB and Tree Machine, we're small operations.

Tree Machine is a solo operator, occasional help. I pay dues to TCIA ($395) and to ISA Intl. and ISA Indiana chapter dues. I feel it's important to support our industry leadership, and it is my option to use the benefits they provide, and attend the conferences they put on. It is through these organizations that we can gain legitimate, recognized accreditation.You do what you can, OSB. Catch the Conference and Trade Show next time around. And don't feel any guilt about it. If going to an event can sabotage your life, financially or in any way, ya don't do it.

As far as what ISA does with the money, the hard working people there attempt to run the organization like any well-run business; at a profit. this allows our industry leadership to lead in a manner that does not have to scrape by and chintz. We support the organization hosting our professional community so they can facilitate the excange of information through annual conferences, climbing competitions, Expos and a number of monthly publications.

TCIA and ISA are my source of Arboricultural information. Otherwise I'd have to depend on forum sites exclusively.

I would really hate for our respected Treecare Industry to not have leadership. that's why I pay up. But as far as the conferences and Expos themselves, I'm with you, OSB; I go if it fits into the scheme of things.

newguy18

3.50 here and i'm in the middle of nowhere.

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rich

Hi osb. I have ISA UK chapter advert from Total Arb magazine here for your comparison. I have been careing for trees for 13 years, last 4 of which at serious and qualified level and have learnt amost everything i know from the more experianced arborist working for and with me and am eternaly gratefull for their time and patience.

For me with still so much to soak up and learn evey piece of info helps so to join ISA is a dead cert for £125 per year...its a bloody bargain man.

2 editions of Tree News, 4 editions of Treeline,6 editions of Total Arb,4 editions of Essential Arb, 2 EAC newsletters, Discounts on events and seminars, Discount card at various suppliers, Free Samurai GC300 pruning saw.

Take advantage of the excellent craft quals' and the personal training and development possible through seminars and simply attending and networking at the TCC's.

Progress through ISA and CAS to the consulting level and eventually when they have a full compliment of commercially applicable skills, members will be a usefull and sought after Tree Consultant in their own right.

Be allowed to use the ISA to help create a viable life long career path.

Qualify for discounts on ISA books, certified exams,international events and conferances.

6 editions of Arborist News, 6 editions of the Arb' Urban Forestry Scientific Journal.

Phew...Sound familiar on your side of pond?

Bermy

2 editions of Tree News, 4 editions of Treeline,6 editions of Total Arb,4 editions of Essential Arb, 2 EAC newsletters, Discounts on events and seminars, Discount card at various suppliers, Free Samurai GC300 pruning saw.

You mean you get that in addition to the Arb News and Scientific Journals?
You're making out like a bandit over there!

For all the good of getting the magazines I have a little pet peeve...
I get all the publications at LEAST a month late...ISA routes my magazines through PANAMA for goodness sake! TCIA is not much better, three weeks late is normal.
I got the February Arborist News and March TCIA magazines on the 31st March...

At least it's sunny and warm here

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treeseer

The AA puts out 18 pubs/year? how do they fill them all?

Bermy that late thing must stink; one good thing is the tci coming out online. here is this month's http://www.treecareindustry.org/PDFs...ril_08-web.pdf

but yes downloading can be a pain, and the feel of the paper makes it more special somehow.

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Guy Meilleur | Forensic Arborist | Better Tree Care

Ekka