Is TCIA membership worth it?

emr

emr

Location
WI
I would like to hear from owners on this subject. I was just looking at TCIA's web site and I am wondering if this is something that will be of value to my company. We are members of the WAA and ISA already and we try and market those memberships. I wonder if adding TCIA to that list will make any difference. I don't question the value of the organization, but I question its direct value to my company. The initial cost is not that much ($300), but I assume that will go up after the first year and then what do you get for your money besides discounts on their services and products?
 
I'm not renewing. Good organization with plenty of things to offer, but work is slow here, and I only have one regular employee. Nothing needed to buy for teaching, training aids....

They want $563 for businesses doing 100-200k.....just a bit high. If I were doing more work and marketing harder, I'd renew....
 
How long were you a member and did you take advantage of any of their products, ie training? We are just a two man operation and I dont really see going to any of the TCIA conferences any time soon.
 
There is no end to the number of associations that would like to take your money. But the TCIA seems more in touch with the tree service arborist and the ISA with the municipal arborist. These really are two different entities and the only thing they have in common is trees. But that is enough, and a tree expert is a tree expert. So in the interest of forwarding the trade and raising our credibility, and because this concept could probably not be put forward from within either of these organizations, I would like to suggest that the two become one. It seems like an overlap of services. Hey, I'm fairly new to the trade and I could be way off, but I think it's crazy that clients are paying hacks as much as they pay me to basically damage their trees with totally wrong pruning, and there is no official control over this. Gives all of us a bad name. So we need to get organized from the top down. In the future with pollution, global warming, and population growth trees are going to become more and more important.
I'm just saying.
 
I'm saying the two associations are like a co-dominant tree, with the hacks the included bark. It looks healthy, both leaders are growing, the roots are healthy, but in time structural failure could occur. How does one repair this? You could cable them together which is about where we are now, they cooperate and support each other. You could prune one out, and it would be ok for a while but the major wound would eventually cause decay in the middle. Almost need to plant a new tree.
I may have to change my name to Chauncy Gardener. I'm amazed how powerful this 20 year old computer is- when connected to the internet. Again this is the view of one remote arborist, who could be refered to as a troublemaker or troll but the current situation could be improved, and the future is here now. It's not my goal to destroy the work of many great people, but you know what happens in big organizations, some people become more interested in their own agendas than the interests of the group. And I am focused on the end goal. Proper recognition of our skills and knowledge
and the proper care and use of trees.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm saying the two associations are like a co-dominant tree, with the hacks the included bark. It looks healthy, both leaders are growing, the roots are healthy, but in time structural failure could occur. How does one repair this? You could cable them together which is about where we are now, they cooperate and support each other. You could prune one out, and it would be ok for a while but the major wound would eventually cause decay in the middle. Almost need to plant a new tree.
I may have to change my name to Chauncy Gardener. I'm amazed how powerful this 20 year old computer is- when connected to the internet. Again this is the view of one remote arborist, who could be refered to as a troublemaker or troll but the current situation could be improved, and the future is here now. It's not my goal to destroy the work of many great people, but you know what happens in big organizations, some people become more interested in their own agendas than the interests of the group. And I am focused on the end goal. Proper recognition of our skills and knowledge
and the proper care and use of trees.

[/ QUOTE ]

Great metaphore!
 
I've been a member of tcia for maybe 10 years now.

this year i haven't renewed yet for the first time.

I think i will not renew. It hasn't really done anything big for me or the company.

some good packets of info come each month, but i hardly have any time to read things anyway....

I used to use H2B foreign workers until this year and TCIA tried to work on keeping foreign workers available to work in the US, but did not seem to succeed in accomplishing anything.

Now that the economy has changed I luckily, don't need any foreign workers cause we have found really hard working American's for a change.

every one of these organizations seems to keep coming up with new certifications, accreditations and all these titles that I think these things aren't going to mean much to the average person.

I was thinking, I should make up my own little organization; like Master Tree Expert Society, and make up a certification test called something like Certified Master Tree Expert. Then myself and all our employees could pass the test (make it easy too) and I could advertise that we have the only Certified Master Tree Experts in the state! It would probably pull more interest in an ad then reading TCIA Accredited company, or maybe even ISA Certified Arborist. Most homeowners dont' know what this stuff means.

TCIA membership in my opinion is way too expensive and they are going to loose lots of customers in this economy if they don't lower their prices.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think it's crazy that clients are paying hacks as much as they pay me to basically damage their trees with totally wrong pruning, and there is no official control over this. Gives all of us a bad name. So we need to get organized from the top down. In the future with pollution, global warming, and population growth trees are going to become more and more important.


[/ QUOTE ]

I agree.
I just became a member of tcia after considering it for a few years. Got a nifty new member packet and a hat.
 
I looked at joining several years ago but decided against it due to the high yearly fee. If it was a flat rate per year I might join. I don't think they need to know how much business I am doing or how much money I am making.
 
I have been a member for a long time now. I like the TCIA. I think the main difference in the ISA and TCIA is the organization focus. The ISA seems to focus on the Arborist, certifications, BCMA, tree worker, tree climber, bucket specialist, education and training for the arborist. The TCIA seems to put most of its efforts into the business side of things. Marketing, communicating with OSHA to set ANSI standards, record keeping, DOT regulations, and that sort of thing. Both organizations have a lot to offer but as stated in the thread the customer could care less if you are a member or not. Membership is something that you do for yourself and your employees if you are interested in taking advantage of the services offered. I have never to my knowledge gotten a job because I am a member of either organization. I do feel that some of the educational opportunities have benefited me and the magazines keep me up on industry trends. I look forward to reading the magazines every other month. Good stuff but you can get it all online now it’s worth a read.
I am a member and I will continue to be a member.
 
I like the TCIA and ISA as well. But I am from the international part of ISA so the TCIA does not apply to me. The ISA could take a few lessons from the TCIA for the business operators, or the TCIA could go international, or, I don't know what I want. I like anarchy, but that only works with people who know the golden rule. I wonder if tree care will ever rank as a profession that is as regulated as other trades. We are mostly small independent operators. The other trades developed their regulations from large work forces at one site, and unions. So it appears what the ISA and TCIA are doing is about as good as we can expect. And staying committed and volunteering is about all we can do. This internet tree forum thing could be the tool to unite us and give us power. More regulation could just make our jobs more difficult and stressful, and I'll bet most tree climber types prefer freedom. I'm trying to crack a market of amatuer tree care like many of you did decades ago. I'll just need more patience and faith to be the best option for my market. Once I sell that one maybe I won't have to match or beat the off duty fireman with an ax and ladder.
 
We deal with the off duty fire guys, Utility guys doing buzzys, landscaper wannabes, fly by nights and the lot. It will not change till laws are passed to regulate the industry and that is not going to happen. Only advice I have is to steer your business don’t let it steer you. Focus on what is profitable for you (a certain type of work or specific clientele) and try to expand that part of your business. There are things that these hacks can’t do or can’t do as well as you. Capitalize on that and don’t even try to compete on their level it will drag you down.
 
I here ya, run your own race, and work toward being the best. Back to TCIA, ISA concerns. Though many of us volunteer often during our short season, the municipal arborists are paid to attend conferences and meetings, you know travel, hotel, food, etc. A paid holiday. It cost us $1000+/day lost income to volunteer or attend. That could be part of the reason for lack of focus on business concerns in the ISA. The tree service arborists are too busy trying to make the payroll. I wouln't change rolls though, hanging in the coffee room with the mayors secretary isn't as good as it sounds. Also the schools teaching arboriculture seem to be ignoring practical business issues, and training municipal prospects. This tree service gig is be the best job I've ever had, just seems a little underpaid in my market.
 
I'm a career firefighter. I'm also a fully insured certified arborist and a member of both ISA and TCIA. Careful with your generalizations.
 
[ QUOTE ]
...Most homeowners dont' know what this stuff means.

[/ QUOTE ]

True. They really don't David. I let my TCIA membership lapse last winter. I have never has some one ask me why I don't have a TCIA logo on my ads either.
smirk.gif


The only problem I've got is two companies in my area decided to get Accredited through the TCIA. All this does is put some pressure on other companies to follow along. Because potential customers see the logo and think all sorts of good stuff about the company with logos... This was my fear when the TCIA Accreditation came out. --That it would probablly force me to become accredited; if I wanted to attract the high end customers who "think" it is important.
 
Accreditation can only benefit you if you want it to. The community probably doesn't care too much. However, there will be those client sophisticates from other industries who realize the importance of industry associations and their accreditation efforts.

We're going through the process right now, and it is very enlightening.

If you approach the process like "aww, do I have to?? No? then I won't" then you probably see the accreditation as more beaurocracy and red tape. If you embrace the process and build upon it, then you will see how the inherent structure benefits everyone in your company.

Do it when you're ready. Plus, how would you feel if a competitor in your market became TCIA Accredited and you weren't?
 
I used to be a member, for about 3 years. This year I passed. I am a small business, with two full time guys. TCIA really seems geared towards the larger companies with the services they offer...I really did not gain anything out of TCIA, other then a new had and a few decals! I initially joined for the marketing aspect, but that proved to be worthless.

Oh, and the price of membership is also geared towards larger companies! If the price was, oh, maybe half of what they asked, I would consider it again. Other then that, I believe I am done with TCIA. ISA and WCISA are good enough for me at the moment.
 
It depends on how you market your company against your competition and what your target market values. Most customers of any service don't understand fully what accreditation means but they do recognize it means something.

The difference is ISA accredits you as an arborist where TCIA accredits your company as a tree care service provider. It will require you to market this feature and be sure to explain the benefit to the customer. Some will see it's value some won't You decide whether which client you want.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom