Accredited Snow Contractors Association Bylaws

ARTICLE I.  Name and Purpose

Section 1.01 - Name
The name of this organization shall be the Accredited Snow Contractors Association

Section 1.02 - Ownership
The Accredited Snow Contractors Association is a wholly owned subsidiary of GIE Ventures, Inc.

Section 1.03 - Mission Statement
The Accredited Snow Contractors Association is a trade association with the purpose of advancing the professional snow and ice management industry and to promote its role in performing high-risk services to society including:

  1. Providing educational programs and publications in all aspects of snow and ice management, finance, business management, marketing and other specialized areas of professional interest.
     
  2. Conducting meetings and other programs designed to promote the exchange of ideas among members and to facilitate the conduct of their business.
     
  3. Collecting and disseminating information pertaining to the snow and ice management industry, including statistical data and other statistical research.
     
  4. Developing and maintaining professional accreditation programs to encourage high standards for snow and ice management professionals.
     
  5. Advocating the interest of the snow and ice management industry to local, state/provincial, federal and international governmental bodies.
     
  6. Advocating the interests of the snow and ice management industry to insurance companies and allied associations.

ARTICLE II. Membership, Dues, and Funding

Section 2.01 - Types of Membership
The members of the ASCA shall be:

  1. Corporate Member: companies that provide snow and ice management services to commercial and residential clients
     
  2. Supplier Member: individuals or companies that provide products and/or services to corporate or individual members.
     
  3. Associated Member: individuals that have interests in the snow and ice management industry, but do not fit the criteria above. (i.e. consultants, property managers, etc.)
     
  4. Allied Association Member: partners of ASCA that work together for the betterment of our industries.

Section 2.02 - Dues Structure

  1. Corporate membership
    1. Contractors with snow revenues over $3 million: $400 annually
    2. Contractors with snow revenues between $1 million and $3 million: $325 annually
    3. Contractors with snow revenues between $500,000 and $1 million: $250 annually
    4. Contractors with snow revenues less than $500,000: $250
  2. Employee cost: $0 (with a corporate membership)
  3. Supplier cost: $400 annually
  4. Associated Member cost: $250 annually

Section 2.03 - Dues Reclassification
ASCA reserves the right to reclassify any member to an appropriate status at its discretion

Section 2.04 - Purpose of Dues

  1. Staffing of the association
  2. Staff expenses to effectively represent the industry
  3. General business expenses associated with the operating the association
  4. Administration of documentation, processing and record keeping
  5. Educational programing development
  6. Advocating the interest of the snow and ice management industry to local, state/provincial, federal and international governmental bodies
  7. Advocating the interests of the snow and ice management industry to insurance companies and allied associations.

Section 2.05 - Funding Lobbyists

  1. Minimally, 10% of all membership dues will be directly allocated the funding of the lobbying on a national level.
    1. Additional funding efforts will be needed to adequately fund these efforts. The Government Affairs committee will spearhead these fundraising efforts.
  2. The Executive Director and Board of Advisors will work with the Government Affairs committee in determining top priorities for lobbying efforts.

ARTICLE III.  Executive Director and Board of Advisors

Section 3.01 - The Executive Director
The Executive Director is:

  1. An employee of ASCA, a subsidiary of GIE Ventures, Inc.
  2. Reports to the President of GIE Ventures, and
  3. Not beholden to the Board of Advisors
  4. An employee at will

Section 3.02 - Board of Advisors
The Board of Advisors of the organization:

  1. A Board of Advisors will guide ASCA and the Executive Director.
  2. The Board of Advisors will serve on a voluntary basis.
  3. The initial Board of Advisors will be named by the Executive Director.
  4. There will be six members of the Board of Advisors.
    1. Five of the board advisors will be members in good standing.
    2. One Board Advisor will be a representative from ASCA’s insurance partner.

Section 3.03 - Board of Advisors Term
The Board of Advisors with serve a four year term.

Section 3.04 - Board of Advisors Expenses
The Board of Advisors serves on a voluntary basis. All expenses incurred in the elected positions are the responsibility of the individual or the company of the individual, unless specifically approved by the Executive Director of ASCA, and the President of GIE Ventures Inc.

ARTICLE IV. Meetings and Committees

Section 4.01 - Meeting of Members

  1. An annual general meeting of the Members shall be held annually in conjunction with Snow Magazine’s Executive Summit.
  2. Notice of the annual meeting need only be location and time of the meeting, as it is held in conjunction with Executive Summit.

Section 4.02 - Committees

  1. Committees will be established to address issues that impact the businesses of the members of ASCA.
  2. Each committee will have a chairperson appointed by the Executive Director.
  3. There are no limits on the numbers of members that may sit on a committee.
  4. All committee members must be in good standing to sit on a committee.
  5. There are no term limits for committees.
  6. Beginning July 1st 2013, all committee members must be a member in good standing.
  7. Beginning July 1st 2013, all Corporate committee members must be ASCA-C.
  8. Supplier and Associated committee members do not need to be ASCA-C.

ARTICLE V. Education and Accreditation

Section 5.01 - Education
Continuing education is a critical function of the ASCA and is a significant factor in the establishment of the organization.  The intent of the educational programming provided by the ASCA is to:

  1. Meet accreditation requirements established with our insurance partner.
  2. Advance professionalism in the industry.
  3. Share best practices in business management.
  4. Educate the industry on the latest in safety practices.

Section 5.02 - Accreditation
An accreditation program designation of ASCA Certified (ASCA-C) shall be offered in accordance with insurance standards agreed upon with ASCA's designated insurance partner.

  1. Corporate Member
    The following criteria must be met to become and maintain your status as ASCA-C:
    1. Education requirement fulfilled:
      1. The Education Committee and Executive Director will determine a set amount of ASCA approved credit hours of education to be completed annually.
      2. Online modules completed and passed.
    2. Dues are current and a member in good standing.
  2. Associated Member
    Associated members can achieve ASCA-C status by completing the same educational requirements above for the individual member.

ARTICLE VI.  Miscellaneous

Section 6.01 - Fiscal Year
ASCA shall operate on a calendar fiscal year of January 1st through December 31st.

Section 6.02 - Limitation of Liabilities
Nothing herein shall constitute members of the Association as partners for any purpose.  No member, Officer, Advisory Board member, committee member, agent, or employee of this Association shall be liable for acts or failure to act on the part of any other member, officer, Advisory Board member, Committee Member, agent of employee of the Association, nor shall any member, office, Advisory Board Member, Committee Member, agent, or employee be liable for his acts or failure to act under the Bylaws, excepting only acts or omissions to act arising out of his or her willful misfeasance or malfeasance.

Section 6.03 - Dissolution
Upon dissolution, any funds remaining shall be the property of GIE Ventures.