I think people often forget that when you deal with an organization or business, you deal with a variable group of real people. People with personalities, strengths and weaknesses. It is human nature to get greedy and ego loaded once in a position of power and authority. It is also human nature to care about progress and other people. Just like there are bad cops that make the good cops look bad. Good cops that make mistakes and bad cops that do good deeds. Very little is black and white or absolute.
I've met Jim Skiera and perhaps he just put on a good show, but I found him to be sincere. I was relatively young at the time and he had nothing to gain from me, but we talked at dinner like two old friends. And talked some more after that. His job in promoting the ISA is being done well, for better or worse. As for Lilly, I'm assuming you mean Sharon Lilly. I've been at her workshops and definitely observed her passion for trees and better phc. The best of these fat cats may have had moments of greed or superiority, as most of us have, naturally. The worst of these fat cats have likely had many moments of good progress and been giving. Everyone has moments of weakness and moments of strength.
Perhaps the ISA runs an average of greed as opposed to an average of true progress. Is the cup half empty. Or is it half full. Give appreciation for where it is full. These fat cats likely read treebuzz once in a while so we should at least see both sides of the coin. They need criticism where it is needed and I don't want to take away from anyones criticism. I try to criticize with a smile. And often with a compliment. I'm human, so I often forget to do this.
The ISA is a business, so why would we not expect some of the egos, greed, and bs that comes with that. As a business they also need to balance this bs with a product that is decent and progressing, and I think they do that too. Of course it could be better so thanks Guy for being someone that not only complains about it here but also tells them directly about it too. I think they are listening to some degree, especially if you say it with a smile and optimism.
I believe that education should be respected as it balances experience, as opposed to competing with it. It should take considerable time and discipline to educate one self. A few weeks may get you something, a few years may get you something more. And learning is not just about the material. It is also about learning how to learn. Filtering the written words and not always believing what is written just because it's written. Basically, what mrtree said.
Guy knows more than most about the structure of the ISA and it is sad to hear that they could not cooperate with one of the guys who not only knows the books really well, but he is heavily into the practice, with tree care coming before the money aspect of the business. So I hope you can mend this tear Guy. There are many of these people, like Sharon Lilly I assume, who balance the study of the books and the observation and participation of the practice. And are passionate about it. These people deserve respect.
I have also felt belittled by these fat cats before in the hierarchy of the ISA. But more often I have felt welcomed and have learned a lot from what the ISA has brought to my life. It is how I met Guy. It is how I met so many people that are also genuinely passionate about tree care. And many of them have been involved in the ISA. Perhaps it's been the volunteers at ISA that have been the most personable, quite naturally.
I have debated the bcma but feel I don't need to spend the time and money on it. Maybe I should change my view. Especially if I start to be looked at as a beginner CA. And I certainly agree that a rookie CA who has no CEUs should be looked at differently than an experienced one who has received 200. I should forget about what ISA has to gain from my wallet and focus on what my head has to gain from the requirements. I'm still 'just' a CA. I have nothing beyond that other than 16 years experience. Yet I feel my ability is far better than it was 12 year ago. I always get more CEUs than I need. Always by attending work shops and conferences. Surely, becoming a bcma would discipline me to learn more, as I would need even more CEUs. I would be forced to read as conferences would not be enough. Reading is Something I have a problem disciplining myself to do. Credentials aside, educating myself can only improve my understanding of arboriculture and what I learn as I practice can only be amplified by having more education in my background.
Like the government of a country, the ISA has the weakness of lacking a competitive body. To soften this, governments often at least have opposing parties and citizen groups to speak out. And of course change may be spoken of and nothing happens. But change does come sometimes when there is enough push. So as ISA members we should send these complaints to the ISA. Not just to each other. Perhaps the ISA takes advantage of this lack of competition. But I know it's not enough for me to boycott them. The magazines are decent and the info you can tap into through the ISA is almost endless.
I have no interest in the ISA and I'm not affiliated accept for my membership and certification, so please don't see my comments as biased.
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