Local
Chapters
- “where
sharing and
learning
never end”
Our
members include
decorators,
workrooms,
designers,
installers,
retail stores,
and educators
The
purpose
of the
WCAA Local
Chapters, From
the WCAA
Local Chapter
Bylaws...
- To provide
Opportunity
to network,
Growth in
membership
and Growth
in business
experience.
- To build
industry, leadership,
knowledge,
resources and
education at
the local level.
- To promote
lawfully the
window coverings
dealer.
- To promote
ethical trade
practices.
- To disseminate
and exchange
information
regarding all
matters pertaining
to the industry.
- To promote
modern methods
of merchandising.
- To promote
by all lawful
means the right
as independent
business people
to make and
retain a profit.
- To promote
by all lawful
means the concepts
of freedom
in the marketplace,
the freedom
exemplified
by our American
private enterprise
economic system,
free competitive
markets, individual
incentive and
initiative
and effective
but limited
government.
- To
educate,
share, and
learn about
our industry
with other
window covering
professionals
What
do Local
Chapters
do?
- The WCAA
Local Chapters
and the National
Directors
work together
to promote
professionalism
and encourage
education,
to aid in
the profitability
and success
of members,
and to be
a voice in
the industry.
- Network
with fellow
decorators,
workrooms,
designers,
installers
and store
owners
- Share Resource
Info
- Seminars
and Instructors
- Hands-on
Demonstrations
- Trade Show
& Conference
Reviews
- Business
Speakers – accountant,
lawyer, insurance,
marketing and
advertising,
sales, the
latest software
in our industry
- Vendor Representatives
show new products
- Round Table
Discussions
- i.e. pricing,
challenging
windows
- Book &
Video Library
- Combined
Events With
Nearby Chapters
How
do I start
a Chapter
in my area?
- Either
one person
or a team
of two or
three is
designated
as the Chapter
Coordinator(s),
who will
work closely
with the
WCAA Executive
Director
and the Local
Chapter Development
Assistant.
- Together
they will gather
names, consider
locations and
dates for meetings,
prepare handouts,
and begin to
contact other
window covering
professionals
in the area.
- A detailed
Chapter Handbook
is given to
the Coordinator(s)
to guide them
through the
first several
months of operation.
What
happens at
the first
meeting?
- The first
meeting is
when everyone
gets to know
each other.
- The Chapter
Coordinator(s)
will give an
overview of
WCAA and the
purpose and
vision for
starting the
Local Chapter.
- The WCAA
Executive Director
or the Chapter
Development
Assistant will
usually attend
one of the
first few meetings.
Is
WCAA and
its Chapters
a formal
organization?
- Yes. The
WCAA national
board has
13 officers
and directors
who are decorators,
workroom
owners, educators,
installers,
and retail
store owners.
Just like
you.
- They volunteer
their time
to be our voice
in the industry,
develop educational
programs, maintain
contact with
large companies
and vendors
to voice the
concerns of
members, and
develop a networking
and educational
process that
serves the
needs of our
members at
the local level
through Chapters.
- Local Chapters
elect a president,
vice president,
secretary,
and treasurer
within the
first few months
of operation.
- Their duties
are to grow
the chapter
and to plan
and facilitate
meetings that
fill the needs
and desires
of chapter
members. The
Chapter Constitution
and Bylaws
can found on
the WCAA website
in the Local
Chapter section.
How
do vendors
support the
Chapters?
- The WCAA
has vendors
that join
at a company
level and
are referred
to as Industry
Partners.
- They have
been helpful
in various
ways to start
new chapters
such as providing
names, catalogs
or brochures,
product samples,
and some have
even come to
meetings to
help kick-off
a new chapter.
- Partners
often visit
Chapters upon
request to
give a full
presentation
or seminar.
- We find that
not only do
our Chapters
want to hear
from our Partners,
but the Partners
want to hear
from the Chapters.
How
does WCAA
support the
Chapter after
it is established?
- The Local
Chapters
are the heart
of the association.
- The Executive
Director and
the Chapter
Development
Assistant keep
in touch with
chapter presidents
on a regular
basis and visit
the chapters
periodically.
- The WCAA
website has
a page for
each chapter
to list its
officers, meetings,
special events,
and photos.
- We provide
books for chapter
libraries at
cost, financial
support for
new chapters
and incentives
for chapter
growth.
- A newsletter
specifically
for and about
the Local Chapters
(Local Loop)
is provided
to Chapter
Presidents
and Officers
regularly as
a means of
communicating
what all the
chapters are
doing.
- The WCAA
keeps in close
contact with
its Industry
Partners and
lets them know
about our chapters.
Along with
the Partners,
we help with
membership
drives and
special events.
What
do I do next?
- Call the
WCAA Executive
Director,
888-298-9222,
info@wcaa.org,
to discucss
your interest
in starting
a WCAA Chapter
in your area.
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