ISA Election Antics

Ok Guy, marginally over the top, i'll accept that criticism.

I did not know about the 85%.

Does that mean that the ISA is not engaging effectively with its membership?

Is it possibly poor communication skills within the organisation?
 
I'm going to assume that as part-time the participation is, there's not a busy base to run the org.

The website discussion board has all but sunk. Maybe just a visit now and then by more of us will get things hopping again?
 
[ QUOTE ]

Does that mean that the ISA is not engaging effectively with its membership?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never heard of any of the candidates for President elect. And I won't vote for someone if there isn't an opposition candidate.
 
I might get membership next time around.

With the reduced certification renewal, it makes the cost not that much more, overall.

Sometimes, the person least expected to be qualified, is the most qualified.

I was on the landcape board for 6 years. Previously, almost every board member was just a landscape contractor.

Then I got on the board, and after getting word out, opened the door for Paul Ries, a local ISA guy, to get on the board too.

It opened entirely new direction to testing, licensing, and interacting with other facets of the industry.

Before, the board in general was blind to the arborists full scope of needs, and the bulk of arborists were blind to the landscapers scope of needs.

The board needed certified arborists, possible even a landscape architect.

Is the ISA board 100% forestry and arboriculture, or does it need to expand its oversight?
 
I am trying to keep out of the heat but need to advise:

Ekka

The President , President Elect and Vice President positions are all voluntary.

GuyMayor

You know that I am NOT Chair of the Review Committee for British Standard BS 3998 - Treework. I know that "tree, arboriculture and Arborist" are the most featured words at committees and Board level. We are all in a profession that we love and work for. But most of all we are all in it because of our love of trees and that is true for each of our members worldwide in each of our Chapters. We all have so much to give and to learn and that is the most important point.

Please do check out the candidates, see their bios in Arborist News February 2007 or on the ISA website and please vote for the one that will do the best job and secure our blossoming international position.

Colin
 
The I.S.A. Certified Arborist program should be an excellent starting point for all climbing arborists. It's just that many climbers fail to see the benefits of this certification scheme. I do see the benefits, and think that in the future all climbing arborists should have completed this certificate before they start to work on trees.

The I.S.A. is the only organisation that I can see that is capable of acheiving this goal. It disappoints me to see negative news about the I.S.A. but I will continue my support anyway and hope that this election reaches an amicable and constructive conclusion. The best candidate should have the ability to communicate effectively the over riding need for a positive approach to worldwide arboriculture and its interaction with the general public, government and private industry especially property developers.

good luck to all candidates.
 
I read the mailout, reviewed the ballot, voted and sent in my feelings. Best of luck to all those nominated and lets hope those that prevail can do their best to advance arboriculture and our business.
 
[ QUOTE ]
lets hope those that prevail can do their best to advance arboriculture and our business.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats what we all have to do regardless of whether we are the ISA president or a climbing arborist.

I give out little leaflets on why topping is bad for trees to clients copied from ISA literature.

There are still many so called 'arborists' and seemingly professional companies who will do what the client wants and top the tree. They do this cause they adopt the stupid attitude "Well, if I dont do it someone else will, and they'll get the money". To these people I say, get another job if you can't do your current one properly.

Topping is a worldwide proplem, but through organisations like the ISA it is slowly being reduced.

More work needs to be done in conjuction with landscape archtects and town planners so that we can see the right tree planted in the right place. Which will then reduce future problems likely to be encountered like topping and root damage. Arborists are having to deal with the end result of short sighted landscape architects and town planners.

I think it would be beneficial for the ISA to focus their sights on thes two groups and make them aware of the consequences of poor tree choice.

There is still a mountain of work to be done we can't afford to get complacent, most people have never even heard of the word 'Arboriculture' or 'Arborist'.

In the US its 'tree trimmer',
in the UK its 'tree surgeon',
in Aus its 'tree lopper'

All these names need to become extinct.
 
[ QUOTE ]

I think it would be beneficial for the ISA to focus their sights on thes two groups and make them aware of the consequences of poor tree choice.

[/ QUOTE ]One way to do this is to apply to their orgs for ceu's for going to tree workshops. I've had several come just to get ceu's and fresh air and the interchange was good. This strategy has been spread to ISA committees and hopefully will be used more.

re committee work, I've debated single points like reduction vs. thinning and what is more important the client or the tree at great length with individuals. It's not hard to imagine a committee needing time to hash out details. ANSI committees sety an example with their two rounds of public review--transparency is the way to go.

Next election, maybe the candidates will have websites for those who want to know more? The interviews were good, as far as they went. As far as ISA engaing its members, I would flip that one around--it's up to the members to engage ISA. Their doors seem wide open to involvement by motivated members.
laugh.gif
 
[quoteThere is still a mountain of work to be done we can't afford to get complacent, most people have never even heard of the word 'Arboriculture' or 'Arborist'.




[/ QUOTE ]

How very true...The US census called my house yesterday and My wife had to explain to the guy asking the questions what an Arborist was and how to spell it.
crazy.gif
 
I would think that they are the ones staying on the mission because they are active within the ISA. The 85% of the membership are the ones that may not be. That is there choice not to vote and likely to have minimal participation in committees and other activities.

Democracy gives you the right to vote, but one must exercise that right or really they don't have a say.

Just my Humble opinion....
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Does that mean that the ISA is not engaging effectively with its membership?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never heard of any of the candidates for President elect. And I won't vote for someone if there isn't an opposition candidate.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK then whom should we vote for???? I'm in the same boat here of not knowing who the candidates are. Yes I read the short bio's and/or interview. But if someone asked me who I was and how important I am, I too could spin a large yarn. I know voting is very important, but voting blind is dangerous.

And hoping for the best is sometimes all we can do. I just hope that we get people (yes, people--still a democracy with some checks and balance) that do care about one of the fastest growing industries in the US if not the world. That is the green industry.

I have my ballot in my hand and have to decide who will best represent.

P.s. Maybe going out-of-bounds here, but treebuzzers should write-in Tom for Pres.
grin.gif
 
I got my ballot and sent it the day before this thread started. sigh. It would actually be nice if we could decide on who to vote for based on some further interaction than reading their bio. I have only met one of the candidates before and since I thought he was a decent guy, thats who I voted for.

I did think of doing a write in vote as well, I wonder if any of the arborist forums has enough members to make a dent in the voting with an organized write in vote.
 
Last week I watched the movie "All the King's Men" which is a thinly veiled biopic of Huey P. Long. One of his lines is, "If you don't vote you don't matter!" Widsom there...

Thanks for the nomination but I'm declining :)
 
[ QUOTE ]

Ekka
The President , President Elect and Vice President positions are all voluntary.


[/ QUOTE ]

A large role for a voluntary position. I would have thought some renumeration was in order considering the financial status of ISA.

Do the representatives of other countries report to these people? Like the ISAAC head reports to these people?

It would be difficult to run an organization and your own business. Maybe the role would best suit some-one who's semi retired and no longer under either work pressures or financial pressures?

Where can I view financials which show both revenue (from sources) and expenditure (by category)?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Last week I watched the movie "All the King's Men" which is a thinly veiled biopic of Huey P. Long. One of his lines is, "If you don't vote you don't matter!" Widsom there...

Thanks for the nomination but I'm declining :)

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. If you don't vote you don't get to complain. But voting while not knowing someone is also hazardous.

Since you decline, we have to go with a non-competitive selection, and still know very little of the Pres-elects. I will vote, but I will also say a prayer.

BTW, I am away from the wife and in another town on the computer -- I mean working.
 
Ekka


Do the representatives of other countries report to these people? Like the ISAAC head reports to these people?
It would be difficult to run an organization and your own business. Maybe the role would best suit some-one who's semi retired and no longer under either work pressures or financial pressures?

Where can I view financials which show both revenue (from sources) and expenditure (by category)?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes all Chapters PA's and AO's report through their Director representatives on the main ISA Board.

I meet those requirements being that I am Chairman of my own Consultancy practice and now work part time.

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

Hope that thes are straight forward answers to your questions.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Ekka
The President , President Elect and Vice President positions are all voluntary.


[/ QUOTE ]

A large role for a voluntary position. I would have thought some renumeration was in order considering the financial status of ISA.

Do the representatives of other countries report to these people? Like the ISAAC head reports to these people?

It would be difficult to run an organization and your own business. Maybe the role would best suit some-one who's semi retired and no longer under either work pressures or financial pressures?

Where can I view financials which show both revenue (from sources) and expenditure (by category)?

[/ QUOTE ]

This is the essence of my point of view also; a professional organisation needs to be lead by a group of paid and qualified professionals to represent their industry/profession professionally and with more accountability : ) I would pay double membership for that. As it stands, I decided not to pay any memberships this year, because of certain situations at local level. I can't afford to volunteer, so I volunteer hard won information where I can, that I believe does help the industry.

Voluntary posts inevitably attract the good who cannot commit properly (although well intentioned) without financial loss. This is not a satisfactory way to lead an industry/profession. Therefore, few of the right calibre come forward, and those that can afford step into the breach; employees of large organisations/establishments. Obviously they don't write off the salary as good will - a big foot in the decision making process for their own benefit is very attractive. Either that, or the vain glorious ego fancies the position to further a career; the head starts to shake when the two coincide
smirk.gif
.

Charity is no way to represent professionals. But then we have a long way to go to convince others of our general professionalism.

A general observation - Nothing personal intended.
cool.gif
 
I'm not a member therefore unable to view the details.

Thank you for answering my questions though, but it would be wise for non members to see financials ... could be one of the decision making processes.

Lets face it, over here we have NAA, TCA, QAA, and ISAAC and I would really like to see where they spend their money, coz frankly, they do very little to help my business in the market place, in fact you could say the way advertising works is like this ... we pay a membership to make the public aware of them and advertise their logo's etc! Of course they sell it to you as the other way around but I see no media awareness campaigns influencing our customers. How much exposure for instance would the ISA get if members didn't advertise them?

How is an election campaign run? Like how do eligible voters know who the candidates are, what they propose, what is their vision, where are they going, what do they want to achieve?

Interesting, I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking these things.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom