About
ISA

Consumer
Tree Care
Website

Publications

Certification
Information

Chapters & Professional
Affiliations

Discussion
Groups

Members
Only

Related
Links

Media
Source

Back to Arborist News Menu

It’s amazing how many people volunteered to bring about the successful conference in Seattle this past July. Nearly 200 people from the Pacific Northwest Chapter worked with each other, with ISA headquarters staff, and with ISA’s professional affiliations to organize and host the 78th annual conference.

It is such people as these who help make a difference in the field of arboriculture. The mission statement of ISA—Through research, technology, and education, promote the professional practice of arboriculture and foster a greater public awareness of the benefits of trees—wouldn’t be attainable without the members who generously volunteer their time and expertise.

To all who volunteer their precious time and skills—thank you. You have made ISA what it is today and what it will be tomorrow as well. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to get involved, you should. The benefits of involvement far exceed the costs. And ISA cannot become the organization you would like it to be without your involvement.

Our highly qualified, professional staff allow us to realize accomplishments that wouldn’t be possible with even the most dedicated of volunteers. Sharon Lilly, ISA’s director of educational goods and services, continually seeks opportunities to improve the education of members and potential members—all with the goal of improving the knowledge and professionalism in the field of arboriculture. Derek Vannice, certification director, works effectively with volunteer boards to further the reach and impact of the certification programs that ISA has created and continues to expand. Eric Duchinsky, director of membership, is working hard to improve member benefits and member service. Mary Schmitz, director of finance, has updated ISA’s financial records and procedures with the dedicated assistance of the Finance Committee to make sure that our organization remains financially healthy. Jim Skiera, director of public and industry relations and associate executive director, reaches beyond our members to associated professional groups and the general public to further the understanding of arboriculture. Paul Harter, ISA’s executive director, manages the team well, challenging everyone to provide the best for all members. The rest of the staff work hard to support the mission of ISA and provide members with the best service possible.

My primary message is to urge you to take the opportunity to get involved as a volunteer in ISA. I have been fortunate to have been an active volunteer in ISA since shortly after becoming a member. My involvement in ISA includes time on the Rocky Mountain Chapter board and currently on the Pacific Northwest Chapter board. And I recently was elected an ISA board vice president.

I have been asked why I chose to become so involved. The answer is twofold. First is my belief that I am working toward making the world a better place by helping to improve the field of arboriculture. Second, on a more personal level, is the benefit of greater knowledge I receive from knowing and working with some of the leaders in the field. The knowledge I have gained from serving on boards and committees has been far greater than I would have attained simply by attending seminars or reading professional literature.

We are fortunate to have a society organized into local chapters. This structure allows individuals to become active at the local level and to promote the chapter’s well-being by working to educate other members and the public on proper tree care and by promoting the benefits of trees.

We have more than 15,000 members in our society. Yes, ISA President Bailey Hudson, we have exceeded the 15,000-member level a year ahead of your hopes. There also are 15,000 Certified Arborists, 60 percent of whom are members. More than 21,000 people have directly benefited from the programs and publications that ISA produces. That’s no small feat.

If you consider the number of people associated with the arboriculture industry (or an even greater number—those associated with the green industry) 21,000 is a good start, but it is only a start. We have to realize that the general public also needs to hear our message.

We need to reach out and encourage our colleagues and competitors to become members so that we may continue to foster an appreciation of trees and promote knowledge about trees within our industry and to the general public.

Paul Harter, your executive director, is making plans for growth with the thought that if we, as members, get off our collective tails and let other professionals know about the benefits of ISA membership, our numbers could easily double to 30,000 within five years.

It should be easy enough to promote membership to your associates and competitors. Among the many tangible benefits of being a member are Arborist News, one of the best industry magazines that I’ve ever read. Journal of Arboriculture, for the latest research findings related to trees and tree care. member discounts on conference registration fees, chapter seminars, and publications and videos on a variety of arboriculture-related topics. The opportunity to network with fellow arborists—perhaps the greatest benefit of all. As you promote membership benefits to prospective members, do not forget the intangible benefits of enhancing the image of our profession and sharing our message with the general public. We all benefit when the public realizes how important trees are to their lives. For commercial arborists, your customers become discerning consumers seeking certified professionals to care for their trees. Municipal arborists will find it easier to secure funding for urban forestry programs in their communities. Utility arborists will find that their customers have a better understanding of the need to keep trees clear of electrical lines, the need to select more appropriate trees to be planted near power lines, and the need to manage vegetation under transmission corridors.

Together, the professional staff and passionate members of ISA give what it takes to make it possible for arboriculture to be recognized as a professional and respected occupation.

We’ve been blessed with many talented people who offer their time to help further the mission of ISA. To reach even more people, we need more of you to volunteer your efforts. Consider the ability to gain greater knowledge for yourself and the ability to improve the field of arboriculture as your reward.

Hope to see you on the front lines soon, and thanks for being an ISA member.