Landscape Architect Articles

Associations in the Spotlight10-01-14 | News

Associations in the Spotlight
Associations continually work for their members by setting standards in education and leading the way in legal and legislative counsel.

The Irrigation Association and California Polytechnic State University's Irrigation Training & Research Center have joined together to create a series of online courses, which will include interactive videos, reading materials and online quizzes. Users complete courses at their own pace and receive credit and continuing education units after completing each track's online exam.
irrigation.org

LC/DBM recently received alarming reports about California Landscape Association's loss of members. When asked about that issue, current executive director Sandra Giarde would not give out member numbers, either current levels or historical highs. A current count based on the CLCA Web sites, put the total number of contractors in the association at less than 1,000 statewide. Given that there are around 11,000 C-27 landscape contractors in California, means that only nine percent have chosen to become members or renew their memberships.

Though the economy was the only culprit Giarde was willing to point to, saying, "CLCA frankly wasn't immune to the . . . economic downturn," others have blamed upper management, focusing on a failed trade show instead of real membership benefits, and the loss of Landscape Contractors Insurance Services as the association's endorsed insurer. Hopefully, CLCA will return to focusing on what is really important, like membership benefits and legislation, and stop over-managing and competing with vendors in the marketplace.

The International Erosion Control Association has announced the availability of scholarships for industry professionals to attend the 2015 Environmental Connection, which will be held February 15 -18 in Portland, Ore. Recipients of these scholarships will be given a complimentary full-conference pass.

To qualify you must be an IECA member and an industry professional and submit an application no later than January 9 to Joanna@ieca.org. Scholarship recipients will be notified by January 14.
ieca.org

In recent years, many snow contractors have been victim to lawsuits due to poor contract language. So, the Accredited Snow Contractors Association took action by seeking out attorney Josh Ferguson from Philadelphia-based Kent/McBride P.C. for help.

This new partnership will make available to ASCA members, template-style contracts with alternative scope of work and indemnification language designed to better protect snow and ice management contractors before and during litigation.
ascaonline.org

As the majority of California is in a D4 intensity of drought, the highest level, the State Water Resources Control Board has adopted statewide emergency regulations to dramatically reduce potable water use and the legislature approved a $7.5 billion water bond referendum for the November ballot, both of which are supported by the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association.
arcsa.org