In previous communications members were advised that the AA was in discussion with the ISA, in accordance with the long-felt wish that the two organisations should have closer links. These discussions are now nearing a conclusion and the respective Boards will shortly be signing an agreed Memorandum of Association and Operating Agreement.
To recap, the former ISA UK&I Chapter was disbanded last year leaving a vacuum for those former members of the Chapter and a lack of any formal link for the ISA within the UK.
Over the last few months the AA Board have applied a high degree of attention to detail and pragmatism in evaluating the benefits of the AA joining forces with the ISA as an Associate Organisation, NOT a Chapter. In summary these are as follows:
- Speedy access to global research and expertise for our members, the Conference, articles, the journals etc.
- Access to a global Arboriculture network
- The opportunity to participate in, and manage, the Certified Arborist and associated schemes
- The opportunity to participate in the World Tree Climbing Competition
- Provision of ISA publications which can be sold on our website
- The opportunity to provide additional training, in particular e-based training programmes
- Opportunities for us to cross-sell training and publications and AA membership to ISA members
- Easy access to those ISA Chapters and Associate Organisations in Europe, and elsewhere, with whom we could share information and practices
It is important to reiterate that in becoming an Associate Organisation the AA would not be relinquishing any aspect of our independence or status, we would remain as we are now but with closer global affiliations and the opportunity to represent arboriculture on a more world-wide as well as UK platform.
We are very excited about the opportunities this new synergy between AA and ISA will bring, and anticipate that the relationship will be formalised and a final agreement between the two groups signed within the next three months or so.
Previous communications
AA and ISA Talks Update – 9 December 2015:
AA in ISA discussions – 25 November 2015