February, 2008--
Over the last 8 years, Jeannie Houser has spent countless hours contributing her time and energy to TCIA. Jeannie was appointed to the board back in June of 2000 to fill a vacancy. She then committed to serving two consecutive terms on the board- and just four short months after committing to her second term, Jeannie filled another vacancy on the board by taking on the demanding role of Senior Director. During Jeannie’s tenure, TCIA has seen its most successful year-with record-breaking conference attendance, growing membership numbers and financially exceeding the best year we’ve ever had. She saw the organization evolve from NAA to TCIA and has led the board to strategic decisions to keep TCIA on the track of transformation. Through the years Jeannie has traveled to numerous meetings and conferences and participated in countless hours of conference calls. While there’s no way to thank her enough for her support and leadership through the years, we do want to give Jeannie Houser a memento of her time and commitment on the board. There is only one other person who has one of these-and there is a reason for that. We’re pretty sure that while Jeannie will enjoy it, the guys don’t want a TCIA necklace….Jeannie we hope you will wear this and think of us fondly. We will miss your involvement, and want to thank you for your expert guidance through the years.
As we’ve heard this morning, there is a lot to celebrate with TCIA’s continued success. We are financially viable, we have gained credibility in regulatory and legislative circles, and we are making strides in permeating best business and safety practices in the industry -all this, as our membership continues to grow.
As we look ahead there remains a great deal to tackle. When asked about their primary concerns over the next five years, our membership responded with concerns of employees, growth, business management and financial consideration. While those concerns are not new, getting the membership involved in their own success continues to be a challenge.
Solving the employee problem is directly related to our country’s immigration policy. We need our members to contact the legislators who can impact the issue directly. Outside of this key group attending the Winter Management Conference, getting a greater part of our members involved in the Voice for Trees Political Action Committee remains a challenge.
Looking at membership concerns of growth, business management, and financial considerations-these issues all relate to having the right people-and investing in them, implementing best business practices, and working together to reach established goals. Most of the fundamentals to take on these concerns are inherent in the accreditation standard that outlines best business practices- providing a road map for success. Many companies that have been a part of the program have seen remarkable changes in their organizations, testifying to a variety of returns on their investment in themselves. Getting more companies to engage in the process of accreditation can help address these key factors to success.
TCIA has been acting on behalf of the industry to tackle these concerns. How we benefit as an industry will take all of us working together, to see the desired transformation take place.
While we know the memberships’ individual concerns are important to consider, there are things we must look at with the industry as a whole. As we look to the year ahead, I would like you all to consider the following and I challenge you to make progress in your own operations. Think about how you and your team can impact arboriculture.
I touched on the accreditation program, but what can we do as industry leaders to convince those around us that every company’s participation in implementing best practices will provide them with a higher revenue stream, increased customer satisfaction, and reduce their expenses-like insurance and employee turnover. What can you do to reach other businesses in your area?
While the Certified Treecare Safety Professional program is one of the most important industry steps we’ve taken to eliminate accidents and fatalities, we are still losing people every week. I want you to think about what we can do in our companies to implement the culture of safety in every single person? How can we stay mindful that safety is the number one issue that each of us must devote ourselves to every single day? How can we reach those companies that aren’t members of TCIA and convince them that there is a different and safer way of doing business? How do we reach people doing tree work-regardless of whether they are an arborist or a landscaper?
Safety is something we can control, but there are certain things that are out of our hands-but that we can still have an influence on. Like legislation. However, it seems our members are reluctant to personally becoming involved in meeting with legislators and in learning how to navigate the process of government effectively. When, in fact, legislators want to hear directly from those who are affected by the laws they are making. They want to hear from us. Think about it. What can you do locally, statewide, and at the national level to foster government relationships that will build a greater awareness of the tree care industry?
There are other things to consider in the year to come. Bridging the blurring of tree work and landscaping. How do we deal with the government’s lack of understanding? The consumers’? The media’s? Where do we see the close relationship of these two areas going in the future? Where do we want to lead it?
And what about our role in the sustainability movement? How do we want to position the industry? What opportunities exist for us, as an industry, that we want to capitalize on?
These are but a few of the topics the TCIA Board wrestles with on a regular basis and that the staff is persistently pursuing. We continue to make steady progress in each of the areas-many times finding that the primary way individuals are choosing new paths for their companies is through one-on-one communication.
That means that we need every person in this room working throughout the year to convince those within our industry that there is a better way to do business, and to do it safely-giving way to results that are directly beneficial to themselves – as well as their communities, customers, and our trees.
This industry has taken the right path, made excellent choices, and has a future that is bright. I am encouraged by what I have seen in recent years within this industry, and I know that we have only begun to reap the benefits of our decisions together.
I thank you for the opportunity to work with you in the coming year, to serve you as your Board Chair, and to be a part of a community of people who work daily in an industry that improves the world that we live in. I welcome any opportunity to talk with you and look forward to another great year with you at TCIA.
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