Dear Valued Members,
The Board has listened to our member's suggestions and worked diligently to improve the benefits of membership with the CRDA. These are just some of the changes we have implemented over the recent past and present terms:
MARKETING:
· Amazing New Website packages available for as little as $275.00 set up fee and $39.00 per month hosting fee.
· New website with a professional, fresh new look with customizable profiles and ability to upload before and after photos.
· Professionally designed Marketing Materials with the ability to imbed your business name and logo and over $3,000 of value in graphics.
· Raised national awareness of Staging and ReDesign though media opportunities such as features on Canada AM. (In the fall, a group of our members participated in a segment on Staging and there will be an upcoming segment on ReDesign that another group will be involved in.)
CONTINUED EDUCATION & TRAINING:
· Implemented Continued education opportunities such as Beyond the Basics Advanced Home Staging course launched last spring (available in February 2011 pending registration)
· CRDA/General Paint Colour Consultation Certification Phase 1 course was launched at the 2010 CRDA Conference. (Also available in February 2011 pending registration)
· Changed the criteria for becoming a ReDesign & Staging Instructor and developed a Standardized Training Manual and removed the former requirement of having to write your own manual.
· Planned (with the help of the Conference Committee) the 2010 CRDA Conference in Toronto on October 22nd to the 24th, themed "How to Grow Your Business" including exciting guests and speakers with registration offered at a discount to active members.
MEMBERSHIP:
· From inception to date there has been no increase in annual membership fees. (Compared to other similar associations, our fees are currently approximately $50.00 lower annually – currently under review).
· Established a firm foundation for improving national unity through regional meetings hosted by Regional Co-coordinators with Board participation to offer more support and teaching tools through improved communication.
· Set up committees for the Newsletter, Havens for Healing, Annual Conference and arranged for more members to become actively involved in helping to strengthen our association.
· Updated and cleaned the CRDA website to improve the Membership Renewal System and ensure that paying members benefit exclusively for their support.
· Restructured and amplified our Membership accessibility to include various membership levels. (More information available on website).
· A new mission statement to confirm the purpose of the CRDA (see top of page).
And if that's not enough to make your $100.00 annual, tax deductible membership fee a value…for just $8.33 per month – here are some of the improvements we have planned for you this term:
· Using funds raised from your continued membership fees and additional outside sources, we can create new marketing strategies to drive more traffic to the CRDA website by implementing a Search Engine Optimization campaign to increase number of website hits.
· General Paint marketing campaign to promote our certified colour specialists in participating regions.
· Include advertising opportunities for members on CRDA website.
· Offer business websites to new and existing members.
· Provide financial assistance to members involved in a trade show or community event.
· Improve access and ease of acquiring new CRDA marketing materials
· Create additional Continued Education opportunities regionally to make training available to all members.
· Create greater national exposure for our members by attracting new Industry Partnerships and affiliations. We have more clout as a national group than as an individual business owner.
· Continue to build and improve the new membership welcoming procedure and experience.
· Encourage national unity by strengthening communication between members across Canada to facilitate the sharing of wealth of information and ideas.
We sincerely hope you can appreciate that the benefits of a membership with the CRDA are much more than website hits. As a trained ReDesign & Staging Specialist, having an active CRDA profile gives you and your business credibility and proves you're a current member of a Canadian National Association. A potential client has the ability to shop for a member in your region – if you are not listed, they could find another specialist who is!
As a not for profit association, run by a volunteer Board of Directors and assisted by volunteers on committees, we have dedicated many hours to strengthen and grow the CRDA because we are passionate about helping others succeed in their businesses. Although it is our responsibility to continue to make opportunities available to our members, it's up to you to take full advantage of what your membership offers by participating in regional meetings and attending our conferences. Of course we are always open to suggestions for improvement and appreciate feedback from you; therefore we would welcome your suggestions as to how the value of your membership could be enriched. Please share with us what you believe we could do to improve our association.
Finally, we recognize that there are other non-exclusive organizations and networking groups that can be a real benefit to your business. We don't discourage members from joining them as well, because ultimately we want to see your business grow and experience financial prosperity. We appreciate your loyalty and trust you will continue to see the value in renewing your membership with the CRDA. We wish you great success with your ReDesign & Staging business!
Warmest Regards,
The Board of Directors,
Canadian ReDesigners Association
