State Chapters

Purpose

The purpose of the Independent Glass Association State Chapter is to provide a local "grass roots" presence for the association. State chapters support the goals and programs of the IGA on a local basis and help individual members identify with the efforts of the IGA to unify members. State Chapters also allows members to concentrate on issues that may affect them on a state or regional basis.

Program Description

IGA State Chapters are designed to be effective organizations that focus on real business issues that will help the independent glass shop owner prosper. IGA State Chapters function better as lean organizations with a mission statement that goes beyond the typical social functions found in many state associations. IGA State Chapters benefit their members by aligning with the mission of the IGA while operating as independent organizations that allow for flexibility at the local level.

IGA State Chapter Activities

IGA State Chapters typically develop their own responsibilities and duties which include, but not limited to, the following:

  • Membership growth
  • Identify needs for members
  • Develop action plans to fill member needs
  • Communicate and educate members about IGA services and programs
  • Develop relationships with state based insurance companies
  • Provide a "work shop" atmosphere to help members work on local issues
  • Provide a forum for membership communication and cooperation, especially between the IGA and IGA State Chapters

Organizational Structure

Because competitors are together in a forum where the potential exists to engage in illegal or anti competitive activities, trade associations are subject to strict scrutiny under federal and state antitrust laws. Therefore, IGA State Chapters should take appropriate steps to ensure they are carefully structured, monitored, and guided to avoid falling into the trap of engaging in improper activity. IGA State Chapters should have their own separate incorporated organizational structure with bylaws and a governing board, and its own legal counsel. The IGA has available an Outline of the Antitrust Laws' Effect on Trade Associations and Guidelines for Executives and Members to help you understand and take appropriate action to protect members. The IGA will facilitate the formation of IGA State Chapters with guidance and advice using a process to help you hold effective meetings, manage information, and lend administrative support to help you started.

Tips for better meetings

While a formal organizational structure helps protect you and gives direction to an IGA State Chapter, members should avoid an organizational environment that is overly political and slow to respond to member needs. Taking steps to ensure a cohesive, yet informal group that follows an action plan developed by the group is key to success. Here is what other IGA State Chapters have done to have an informal atmosphere:

  • Meetings are usually held at a family priced restaurant. Choosing a restaurant that has an area that they can partitioned off creates a better atmosphere, or hold the meeting in a separate meeting room. Each member usually pays for his or her own lunch held before or after the meeting. This allows a social time for everyone and hotels and restaurants usually provide a meeting room free of charge in consideration of the meals.
  • Invite supplier members to your meetings. Many times, you will find them keenly aware and interested in helping you and they appreciate the opportunity to spend time with you. It gives them a chance to see their customers and we have found that sometimes they even offer to pay for lunch as a courtesy.
  • Invite members at least one week, preferably two weeks, before the meeting to give them adequate time to plan and prepare.
  • Prepare and follow an agenda to keep things on track and on time. The IGA's Effective Meeting Agenda and tools will help you hold effective meetings and develop action plans to get results.
  • Remind members before the start of meetings your Purpose, Agenda, Code of conduct (including strict adherence to antitrust guidelines), meeting Expectations, and Roles and responsibilities (called PACER by the IGA).
  • Keep concise, clear notes and distribute a summary of minutes for members following the meeting.
  • Ensure that committees and members know their role and mission, and follow the IGA's recommended action plan process to stay on task to produce results.

How to form an IGA State Chapter

  1. Contact Brian Pitman, Association Management of the IGA, at 785-271-0208 to begin the process.
  2. Hold an informational meeting to determine the level of interest in forming an IGA State Chapter. The IGA can help identify current IGA members and non-members in a region or state and help you contact them.
  3. If you have agreement to form an IGA State Chapter, the next step is to develop a formal organizational structure. This includes:
    • Identify and select legal counsel
    • Incorporate the organization
    • Develop bylaws (the IGA can provide a template from which to start)
    • Select a board of directors
    • Select officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer - some offices can be combined)
    • Develop a budget and develop sources of funding to get started.
  4. Develop and distribute a schedule of upcoming meetings to give members an opportunity to plan to attend and invite others.
  5. The IGA can help with the development of informational brochures and other tools like our website to help you develop into a strong and effective organization.

Current IGA State Chapters

The current IGA State Chapters and contact information is listed below:

State: Arizona
Organization: AAGA (Arizona Auto Glass Association)
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Phone: 602-448-6057
Website: www.aaga.net

State: Illinois
Organization: IGA of Illinois
Contact: Steve Cramer, First Glass
Address: Galesburg, IL,
Phone: Telephone (309) 342-2001
Email: 1stglass@galesburg.net

State: Iowa
Organization: IGA of Iowa
Contact: Gerald Zwart , Clearview Windshields
Address: Inwood, IA
Phone: 712-753-4727
Email: drchip@drchip.tv

State: Minnesota
Organization: IGA-MN
Contact: Rick Rosar
Phone: 320-629-7588
Email: rick@rapidglass.com

Potential State Chapters

IGA members in the following states have indicated interest in forming a state chapter. Contact the IGA for more information:

  • California (southern and northern)
  • Connecticut
  • Georgia
  • Michigan
  • Nebraska
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Washington
  • Wyoming