Are you a member?

[Team Gopher]

Trade Groups & Business Associations

A lot of business owners talk about the advantages/disadvantages to joining different business organizations or trade groups, it would be interesting to see how many of you reading this are a member of such organizations. If you are a member, which one(s) are you a member of? What have you found to be the benefits or disadvantages to joining?

[vanguardK]

I'm a member of the National Association of Realtors. on the positive side it lets me make some $$, on the negative side it costs around $1,200 per year

[Stephen M.]

I am a member of Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association and the 2005 President. I pay about $330/year and its based upon gross revenue between $50000-$200,000. Membership promotes professionalism; networking; educational opportunities; health insurance; good merchant rates on credit card processing; workmans comp retrospective rating--a program where I get a refund on workmans comp if the group is lower than the norm (a program unique to WA state).

I'm also a member of WA Farm Bureau ($75/year: Political Clout); Jefferson County Home Builder's Assciation ($450/year. Biggest benefit is local networking with the building trades); Independent Business Association ($135/year: lobbist business organization to the State Legislators)

[vanguardK]

Any one out there a member of the BBB? And do you feel it's worth the expense?

[Stephen M.]

I was for 2 years and it was wasted $$ for me. I believe that the mere fact that I belong to a few professional organizations and advertise WSNLA in my phonebook ad, thats enough; and my reputation carries me the rest of the way. Since my service territorry is the east part of my county, I don't need the BBB; its usefulness is only if I was to expand into neighboring counties.

But when I was a member, they did nothing for me other than take my $$. They would call me on a regular basis to say they had inquireries about me, but since I wasn't a member... Personally, I thinks that's a line of BS to get membership.

[invincible569]

Thats a great idea Gopher. Being a member of something, give your company a more positive and professional image. If you didnt know anything about a product, and then you saw this a company was part of a lot of associations, you would feel like you could trust them more. This goes for any type of business including landscaping. Of course, make sure the association has a good reputation.

[Team Gopher]

Hi Stephen M.,

How do your organizations rates for health insurance compare with average costs in your area?

How do you market your organization to others in your area?

You should have a button in your signature or something like that to give others more information on this.

[Stephen M.]

Hi Stephen M.,

How do your organizations rates for health insurance compare with average costs in your area?

How do you market your organization to others in your area?

You should have a button in your signature or something like that to give others more information on this.

WSNLA's health insurance is actually a Farm Bureau program, but in order to get it, I also have to be an individual member of the Farm Bureau. Its Permera-Blue Cross and some of my plan features are only recieved because of the association memberships. The premium for my wife and I runs $532.85. We didn't get perferred rates because of a long term problem my wife has from an auto accident we were in 6/2000. It doesn't keep her from working in our business, but it will be a chronic condition as she ages.

We have a $2 million life time each and the highest deductibles each allowed under WA law, but we also have to pay for 47 mandated garbage health provisions, some of which we wouldn't have if it was up to us. Its an 80/20 plan split, and 100% covered after our deductiable and the 1st 20% is met.

For comparable plans in our area, it would cost us around $700+/month, $1 million life time; and a 70/30 split on what ever deductable is chosen.

WSNLA is marketed thru member contacts and website links; and vocational schools or thru WSU or The Center for Urban Horticulture of UW. We also promote industry certification like the Certified Professional Horticulturist.

Anybody living in Washinton State and would like to join a professional organization, can find us at www.wsnla.org We also have members from OR & ID.

[knowltondata]

I'm with Stephen... BBB waste of time... for companies AND consumers...but I am a member of Internation Sign Association and United States Sign Council

[Team Gopher]

Hi Stephen M.,

What have you found are the main reasons business owners have joined your organization? Is it the insurance benefits? Or other?

[Stephen M.]

Joining a professional organization has as many reasons as there are members. Health insurance may be a reason, but I think that would be a very low percentage of why. My wife and I have been members of WSNLA since 1988, but only signed up for the health insurance this past Sept.

I think most join for the same reason we did: membership to a trade association helps one to be professional; for networking; and for continuing education that may lead to certification. After going to chapter meetings since we joined, these people are like family to us.

I have not taken the certification course, although I do hold an A.S. degree in Landscape Technology and a B.S. in Agriculture with a minor in botany. I could ace 2/3 of the cert test, but plant Id may be a problem. I have to know common & latin names, characteristics, and "right plant, right place" on 200 plants, but only 40 random plants would be chosen. The test is hard, even for a guy like me who has been in the biz for 18 years. I have difficulty with the Latin.