:: Benefits of joining ASAA

The first question that a member of any industry asks when they are confronted with the prospect of joining an industry association is, “What will we get out of being a member?” Or in the case of an individual, “What will I get out of membership?”

ASAA is a bona fide ‘not for profit’ industry association, not a privately run company. It has a Constitution that is accessible to everyone and a set of very simple but vitally important objectives that are designed to “promote the use of Australian stone, both within Australia and overseas.” The Constitution also calls for the facilitation of “greater cooperation between various sectors and competing entities within the Australian Stone Industry for the overall benefit of the industry.”

ASAA proposed objectives and activities are detailed in our constitution .

A number of other stone associations have been formed and for one reason or another have failed. ASAA cannot succeed overnight and the directors and members of the association have to remain committed to the tasks at hand.

How then can ASAA succeed where others have failed?

Firstly, as a bona fide association ASAA can make representations to government, on behalf of the industry. We have already achieved several successes in this vital area.

Austrade have become members of ASAA and we are jointly organising a seminar entitled ‘Getting Into Export’, which will be held at Melbourne Exhibition Centre on November 8th. More ...

Austrade are also supporting ASAA's presence at Marmomacc , where four of our members will promote their products and services on the ASAA stand.

ASAA is meeting with members of other important government departments in late October.

We are also well advanced in relation to promoting ASAA and members’ products at a major trade show in Asia during 2005.

At home we are officially recognised by Designbuild as Australia’s bona fide industry body. ASAA will have a substantial stand at Designbuild, which will be held in Sydney in 2005. Designbuild attracts numerous architects and interior designers, is now fully supported by the nation’s peak building industry authority, the Housing Industry Association (H.I.A.).

ASAA is planning an exciting programme of seminars and networking events which will be held in every state during 2005. The first of these will be held in Queensland in January. Events will be held in all States by the end of July.

Four of our members form Committee BD 44/4 which is writing Australian standards AS 3958 Parts 3 and 4. ASAA is partially funding the development of these standards.

We will work with members and government bodies to implement a range of initiatives designed to increase industry training.

Over 16,000 copies of Discovering Stone magazine will be available twice a year. 13,000 plus will be mailed to members of industry, and design and construct professionals. A further 3,000 copies of each edition will be on sale in news agencies across Australia for six months.

Discovering Stone and the ASAA web site www.asaa.com.au will provide industry members and specifiers with a wealth of information about all aspects of the local and international Natural Stone Industry.

Members can access a full range of articles on stone imports and exports in the members’ area. Tricky questions can be posted on our forum, which will be moderated by industry members.

Membership fees have been set to attract participation by all sectors of industry.

By constant exposure of ASAA in the media, at trade shows, by developing relations with state and federal government departments, who recognise ASAA as a truly representative body, we will be able to represent the industry and its members effectively.

To achieve our goals we need your support. If we can raise the profile of the Australian Natural Stone Industry at home and abroad, develop standards and industry training and provide members with links to government, consumers and specifiers, then we can create a stronger, more vibrant industry.

That’s what ASAA can do for you and your business. However may I remind you again, that it will take time. You can begin the process by joining on-line, or calling (03) 9888 3587.

If government policy, State or Federal, ever posed a threat to industry, a ‘not for profit’ legally formed industry association is one of the most effective means of stating industry’s case. In 1995 when the Keating Government proposed a sales tax on virtually every item that a builder uses to build a dwelling, the only bodies that government met with were legally formed, representative associations.

Concerted efforts by a number of associations, supported by legal presentation won the day. ASAA can represent your company and your interests in numerous ways.