What does the TCIA logo symbolize when it is displayed on your trucks, equipment, business cards, yellow page ads, brochures, Web sites and other materials?

It means that:

• You are part of TCIA’s commitment to transform the industry, which includes educating consumers, improving safety, being the voice for the industry for the government and other stakeholders, and building stronger markets between industry suppliers and commercial tree care companies – our Associate Members and Affinity Partners help you do that.
• You are part of an organization that is working to raise the bar for the industry, increase professionalism, and put pressure on the fly-by-nights to step up or find another career – TCIA Accreditation and the Better Business Bureau brochure help you do that.
• You and your company are making an investment to stay informed about the latest trends, regulations and industry happenings – through the Reporter newsletter and Tree Care Industry magazine.
• You are working to build a culture of safety within your company – with the Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) program, TreeWorker newsletter, Tailgate Safety, EHAP training, TCIA safety training products, etc.
• You believe there is value in networking and learning from your colleagues and peers – through the membership directory, mentors, TCI EXPO and Winter Management Conference.
• You believe that TCIA offers valuable business content to help your company grow and be successful – TCIA’s Online Business Management Guides and monthly Tree Care Manager e-newsletter.

We are making huge strides in the industry and hopefully you are taking advantage of every benefit that is offered through your association. Everything we do is designed to keep you and your employees safe, help your company move to the next level, and educate the public on the value of the services you provide to communities and the environment.

Cracking down on violators

Because we know the value of membership and what the TCIA logo symbolizes, we are committed to cracking down on companies that are illegally displaying the member logo.

TCIA has worked closely with our attorney to create a detailed process for handling non-member logo violators. The basic process will include the following actions:

1. TCIA receives notification from members and/or consumers that a company is illegally displaying the membership logo (membership can be verified on TCIA’s online consumer search)

2. TCIA receives physical proof that the company is illegally displaying the logo (yellow page ad, Web site link, letterhead, etc.)

3. TCIA notifies the company via telephone and in writing (certified mail) that they have 30 business days to remove the logo from all materials – or to join TCIA. They will be given detailed instructions on the actions we will take if they do not comply.

4. If the company complies with our request and provides proof that all logos have been removed or joins TCIA, the case is closed.

5. If the company does not comply with TCIA’s request and continues to illegally advertise membership with TCIA:

a. The company’s name will be displayed in a listing on the home page of www.treecareindustry.org as a logo violator who is falsely advertising their membership with TCIA.

b. TCIA will file an official written complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

If you would like to report a logo violator, please fax or e-mail the information to membership@treecareindustry.org.

We are confident that this will be one more step in the transformation and that together we are raising the bar for the industry. It’s time for companies to step up to the plate.