There appears to be allot of concern about certification and then there is the vendor issue. These topic's have generated allot of discussion.
Certification: It is important to know someone has studied the process and to pass certification provided that check and balance. Short of that, certification will not make or break your business. My personal opinion is that everyone is reading way to much into this certification process. Given my present experience and the knowledge gained from RCIA, my roof cleaning business will go forward whether Iam certified or not.
Certification can be nothing more then this member follows the RCIA standards for professional roof cleaning.
I choose to have the certification, whatever that maybe. I can assure you that anyone starting up in my area that isn't RCIA certified will wish they were!
Let the committee develop certification guidelines and then have the discussion. I am sure everyone will have the opportunity for feedback and imput.
Vendors: Business is business! Vendors run a business. Personally the more the better on this forum. I don't care what or who they represent. As it has been said before competition is good! If they have something to better my business great, if not, have a nice day. Besides if you don't like what they have or are not happy with the products there is always Google.
I say bring them on, good or bad, big or small, we'll weed them out because a vendor cannot stay in business if they don't sell their products. The best part is "you" have the choice whether to purchase or not. So at the end of the day who controls anything, the vendors or us, the customer?
55 people post 100 times and get a phone call and get certified. Seems fair.
now with the the remaining group waiting in line to get certified the rules change
and
now the first group that got in free... will vote for higher standards and want to charge the people left in line 500-1500 dollars by requiring them to go to a school.
Paying a 100 dollars to become a premium member to have a voice in this matter would be nice but I already know what the results will be 99 paid members who arecertified will vote to raise the requirement and my one vote to continue 100 posts and phone call ....Oh well .. Edit...I like chris t.and larry M and ac seems nice this is not attack on any of these people and it is not a argument with any of the current certified roof guys.
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:03:40 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:04:29 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:05:05 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:05:55 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:07:05 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:09:20 PM
First off, I don't know where you are getting your info, but it is way off base. Whoever told you that a $500--$1500. fee will be charged for certification is smoking something that is illeagle. There has been discussion on a certification fee, but it is nothing like you are stating.
The statement about "the ones that got in free are going to raise the standard" is also incorrect. Once the new certification standard is in place, EVERYONE will be required to take the tests to receive or maintain their certification status. Yearly re-newals will be required, along with a certain number of continous education credits that will be earned by participation in various educational and safety topics online.
There is a lot more work to be done on this, but we are progressing well. When it is complete it will be the standard for the industry and you will be proud to be certified and a member of RCIA.
Try to hold the false rumors to a minimum and wait for the truth. Gary
55 people post 100 times and get a phone call and get certified. Seems fair.
now with the the remaining group waiting in line to get certified the rules change
and
now the first group that got in free... will vote for higher standards and want to charge the people left in line 500-1500 dollars by requiring them to go to a school.
Paying a 100 dollars to become a premium member to have a voice in this matter would be nice but I already know what the results will be 99 paid members who arecertified will vote to raise the requirement and my one vote to continue 100 posts and phone call ....Oh well .. Edit...I like chris t.and larry M and ac seems nice this is not attack on any of these people and it is not a argument with any of the current certified roof guys.
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:03:40 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:04:29 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:05:05 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:05:55 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:07:05 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:09:20 PM
Hi David,
I was on the other side of the fence myself not long ago. I don't fall prey to hard pressure sales, and I can be somewhat of a doubting Thomas when anyone wants in my wallet. (Although I'm very indebted to Chris Tucker.)
I had two people share things with me that got through even my thick (and very stubborn) skull; a moderator, and one of the few lady members of the RCIA. (BTW - she's GREAT Randy, you 'done' good
I don't buy in to lots of hype, nor biased opinions. I look for facts, and I know conflicts of interest when I see them. In short, I think for myself as I'd like to think that most do - you too of course.
There is yet another MAJOR reason why I joined. Feel free to call or PM me and I'll share my rationale with you. No pressure, solely an option if you choose.
55 people post 100 times and get a phone call and get certified. Seems fair.
now with the the remaining group waiting in line to get certified the rules change
and
now the first group that got in free... will vote for higher standards and want to charge the people left in line 500-1500 dollars by requiring them to go to a school.
Paying a 100 dollars to become a premium member to have a voice in this matter would be nice but I already know what the results will be 99 paid members who arecertified will vote to raise the requirement and my one vote to continue 100 posts and phone call ....Oh well .. Edit...I like chris t.and larry M and ac seems nice this is not attack on any of these people and it is not a argument with any of the current certified roof guys.
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:03:40 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:04:29 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:05:05 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:05:55 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:07:05 PM
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 04:09:20 PM
I have not heard about any of this. In any event, even though I am certified, I have no expectation of any pass for certification. Again, certification does not control my business. I have yet to have a customer ask me about being certified, am I certified, etc., The bottom line for any customer is what is in it for them. No different then any other service. I had the same mind set when I had my house remolded, checked out some of their work and hired them.
I am willing to bet that if standards or guidelines are set unrealistic many won't concern about being certified, me included.
Bottom line, let your work speak for itself. Post your work. List references on your web page. Who better to certify you then your customers. Speaks for itself.
Again, certification should only indicate your business adheres to the RCIA professional standards and process of roof cleaning.
came directly from the distributor that will put on some of the classes.. I guess hewas wrong.. we wiil wait until you publish the correct answers
-- Edited by dollarspa on Saturday 20th of November 2010 05:46:29 PM
Gary - allow me please? You're probably about to boil by now.
David - there appears to have been a misunderstanding. Certainly, there is a Vendor that is offering classes (or will be?) on a 'system' he has endorsed. That's nothing more than capitalism at it's finest and has nothing to do with the RCIA as an entity.
Please don't confuse the two. Parts of the forum are now like a NASCAR race - you have to put up with (or look past) the product placement and commercials
Please keep the RCIA and the vendor ops/sales stuff separate. Because they are.
I don't post much. I read mostly and try to stay out of the drama. However, certification I think should be more about self improvement than anything else. I hope the tests are challenging and make the person taking them study the principles involved in this industry. I come from a painting background and it seemed that every person that got laid off would become a painter. Most with no idea of what paint would work on what surface. With this you deal with chemicals some of which could kill you if used wrong. I feel like the theory gained is well worth the money spent and I hope to send my check over the next week. Just my opinion.
Being a premium member is what it is all about.. so we All can contribute in the process, like the ability to vote on issues like this. The membership fee brings about a serious professional attitude into the game as well. As far as AC, being a vendor and conflicts, well I guess some of you might not have had the chance to meet him, but I will say AC is too smart to think even remotely that he can possible push all of RCIA members into his products. He has a great product and concept that might appeal to some, RCIA just offers "the menu" for all members to choose what works for them. Personally I am glad to have so much talent on the BOD and Corp of RCIA, because failure is not optional for many that are here. So if your going to do it , might as well do it right the first time. As far as the certs go, it will all come in due time and when it does it will align pretty well with many that have been around for years doing this I am sure. Take Care Kim R
As far as new standards vs old standards are concerned, back when I became a "member", or whatever we were calling it then, 1) I had to have a certain # of posts, 2)I took a cert. test with Bill Booz, 3) and then paid $ to help the forum operate. I don't understand how things have really changed that much at this point and what the flap about cert. is now.
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In the days of spell check and we still cannot spell. It really is pretty tacky guys. I know that i deal everyday with a customer base that looks at these types of things.
In the days of spell check and we still cannot spell. It really is pretty tacky guys. I know that i deal everyday with a customer base that looks at these types of things.
I find it hilarious that your critiquing peoples spelling being that there's three major grammatical errors in your own post!
In the days of spell check and we still cannot spell. It really is pretty tacky guys. I know that i deal everyday with a customer base that looks at these types of things.
Being a premium member is what it is all about.. so we All can contribute in the process, like the ability to vote on issues like this. The membership fee brings about a serious professional attitude into the game as well. As far as AC, being a vendor and conflicts, well I guess some of you might not have had the chance to meet him, but I will say AC is too smart to think even remotely that he can possible push all of RCIA members into his products.He has a great product and concept that might appeal to some, RCIA just offers "the menu" for all members to choose what works for them. Personally I am glad to have so much talent on the BOD and Corp of RCIA, because failure is not optional for many that are here. So if your going to do it , might as well do it right the first time. As far as the certs go, it will all come in due time and when it does it will align pretty well with many that have been around for years doing this I am sure. Take Care Kim R
What everyone should understand about whether a vendor or distributor should serve on the Board of Directors is that it's NOT about AC. I have met AC and listened to him. He appears to be a very decent man and is very knowledgeable concerning our industry. Because AC is decent and knowledeable doesn't eliminate the inherent risk that future vendors/distributors will not face a confllict of interest and vote in their favor and not in the best interest of RCIA.
RCIA leadership should recognize the potential for conflict and not allow vendors or distributors a voting position on the Board of Directors. Vendors and distributors that have knowledge desired by RCIA could serve the organization in a non-voting consulting capacity.
The certification process will establish a ton of great credentials for the RCIA as a whole so that we as its members will benefit ten fold.
Vendors will pay more for things like sponsorship and all.
Our insurance providers will get a hold of this and apply a discount to certified contractors just like every other trade or cert goes because cert companies are less of a risk.
There may be some sort of contract that you can get from say a condo association or a commercial building and you probably won't get it if they are a ware of a certification and you don't have it.
This is way more than credentials and a test it is keeping up with the industry and helping your business grow and maintain it's integrity.
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Ok my two cents if it means anything. I am not certified yet. All because i don't get online every night and tell someone good job just to get a post. I have been reading and reading and reading and understanding alot. Therefore I don't have many posts. There needs to be something besides just posting to go towards certification. I could start posting stupid stuff like crazy just to get my posts up but thats not me. I would rather get certified by what i know and how well I do a job. Just because someone has 100,200,300 posts doesn't really mean a darn thing. If someone wants to get certified, why cant one go to a certified instructor and do a house with them or for them while they over see your and when the job is done then the instructor reports back to the board and the instuctor states whether or not a certification should be adwarded or not. Or possibly an online test. Don't get me wrong I love this site and have learned a ton from reading and talking to others and have paid for my membership. There are some very good and informational posting here but there needs to be some distinction between good posts and just the b.s. ones to get your posting up there. I'm not saying that people shouldn't put pics up because you should be proud of the work you do. And you should get praise from your peers But a simple good job reply shouldn't count towards your postings to get certified. Sorry if this offends anyone, just my opinion. If i'm wrong about how the postings work then i apologize.
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