Local Chapters

[djdonny]

How many of you belong to local association chapters?

If so. do they specify "standards" or "acceptable practices" for their members (not general things like "aim to please" but specifics like dress code, use of facade, cell phones, etc.)?

Does the local chapter "audition" new members?

How do you feel about these as the role of a local DJ association?

Just so you know where I'm coming from, there's a new local chapter starting in my area of NY/NJ, but they support specific "standards" and even "auditions", which I am against. I'd probably meet all the standards, but I disagree with this as a role of a local chapter.

However, as it is the ONLY chapter in NY/NJ metro area, I may end up joining anyway (if I haven't already worn out my welcome by opposing them on this point -- I almost came to blows with one member already on their forum.)

[Professor Jam]

I see no issues with them wanting to verify an individuals performance quality - However, I also respect that entertainers don't like showing other entertainers the behind the scene details...

What I would rather see is an individual like a catering manager - or other industry representative give an un-biased - less-the-ego evaluation.

[Jim Casey]

Hey Donny,
I am one of the co-founders of the Maine Disc Jockey Network and we have it setup as a private association. Why?

This way, we were able to set up standards that could not be tweeked with. Go to http://www.maineweddingdj.net/requirements.htm to see the standards we have setup.

Basically, we wanted to make sure we were dealing with professionals that could adhere to at least these standards. We fell if DJs would do this, they will be professional in the field too. If they were not, we would be able to remove a DJ without needing a vote from the membership (it's never come close to that).

We have six very strong companies and may add two more in the upcoming months. Strength in numbers is nice, strength in quality is better.

[djdonny]

Jim,

I'm curious about a couple of your standards...

1. Why do you require only single-ops? I am one, but I know a few good partnerships (double-ops, if you will) in my area. I understand excluding large multis, however, for several reasons.

2. Why do you feel membership in ADJA or NAME is required? Anyone can join who has $125. If someone is not a member, it may be due to well-documented problems these two organizations or their leaders have had in the past, or some other personal gripe. I don't think you can "pay for professionalism".

3. Does "willing to act as a replacement" mean willing to work for the other member's rates. I would always be hesitant to sign off for that if it meant, for example, that the other guy has to cancel out of a $500 job that I would have charged $1000 for.

Not that I'm arguing these points, I'm just curious about your (or the organization's) rationale.

[Jim Casey]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>

1. Why do you require only single-ops? I am one, but I know a few good partnerships (double-ops, if you will) in my area. I understand excluding large multis, however, for several reasons.[/b][/quote]

a. We want only single ops because the multis are absolute gig pigs here in Maine and we knew from the get go that this website would be successful in getting quality leads to the DJs in the Network. We did have one double-op as you put it join. There were some concerns that that company could theoretically have double the chances that that others had, so we thought in fairness to make it for single-ops only, but grandfathered the "double-op" company. (Father and son team)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>2. Why do you feel membership in ADJA or NAME is required? Anyone can join who has $125. If someone is not a member, it may be due to well-documented problems these two organizations or their leaders have had in the past, or some other personal gripe. I don't think you can "pay for professionalism".[/b][/quote]

We understand the past history has not been very good, but from our perspective it has improved considerably. We are not only in this for our own personal gain, but for the improvement of the DJ Industry as a whole. We feel that being a member of one of these organizations shows your commitment to the business and the industry.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>3. Does "willing to act as a replacement" mean willing to work for the other member's rates. I would always be hesitant to sign off for that if it meant, for example, that the other guy has to cancel out of a $500 job that I would have charged $1000 for.[/b][/quote]

Yes and No. This is strictly an emergency clause (car accident, etc) The member would pay out of pocket for the expense to use the other DJ company at the the rate they booked the event for.

Theoretically, it would hurt someone like myself who charges about 2-3 times as much as a couple of members, then again I am looking at it from an industry wide point of view and not just a Jim Casey point of view.

Our egos are checked at the door. I make make more money, but consider my colleagues equal to me. I will refer them anytime I do not have availability and I know they will do the same for me.

Our Network may be small, but it is effective and I believe has caused a stir among some.

Not that I'm arguing these points, I'm just curious about your (or the organization's) rationale.

[John Daniels]

I WAS a member of the local (statewide) DJ association . . . that was also connected to a national association.

Matter of fact, I WAS a charter member of the state association!

I'm not going to get into the details, but I am no longer a member.

I may rejoin someday . . . but not today!

I will say, though, that in the six months since my membership expired, I have been busier than ever before!

I don't know what that means . . . but my wallet apprieciates it!

[mp3jrick]

Organizations are great untill you lose control of the egos and finances.
Some people thrive on positions of power, few organizations excape these kind of people. Getting rid of them is like getting glue out of the rug.

So far the organizations I have observed all had dirty laundry and personality clashes that tore at the fabric of the organization.
Not a happy place at one time or another, I don't need it, life is too short.

Sure the insurance is great, and the status of conforming to standards is qualifying in clients eyes, but other than that I don't see a gain in memberships.

Networking provides essentially the same mutual aid and fellowship without the costs or headaches when problems arrise.

Just my .02

[Rob Peters]

At the risk of criticism...I am going to chime in here with a couple of points:

I will agree that associations are not for everyone. I run into people in this industry who can not be bothered...and that's fine...for whatever reason. To dismiss associations based on problems of the past though is not reall is not giving them a fair shake in my opinion. I will agree that there have been problems in the past...but look how far associations have come since the past. "Past performance is not indicative of future results!" If we as an industry are going to move forward, associations are going to be the trendsetters and leaders that will help lead the way.

If you are looking at it as "just insurance", then you areally are not looking hard enough. Association benefits today have come beyond who has the better insurance provider. The value of membership from an asociation now includes Credit card processing, equipment discount programs, internet promotion and marketing, networking on a national level, and even education.

Again, they aren't for everyone....but I do foresee a value in setting a standard. With it becoming easier for people to enter this industry, there needs to be something organized to separate the "men" from the "boys", in order to begin to gain the trust as the public. Granted, we can obtain it through good sales (hmmm...something I go through education offerred by an association) and creative marketing...but when was the last time you heard "I found someone who will do it cheaper"?

That's my .02...not trying to take a swipe at anyone...just wanted to add my input!

[jamiebodie]

What reasons could be given to someone for spending $125 to join ADJA? What advantages are there besides insurance?

[DJBusyB]

You have to evaluate any association to determine if it seeks the same goals you set in your own business. I am a member of both NAME and ADJA. Why? Because I believe there is power in numbers.

Example: If I approach a Bridal Magazine and request to do an article on hiring a DJ, they will probably say "Thanks, but no thanks". However, imagine if a representative of one of the associations contacts a bridal magazine and says "I am {position} of the {DJ} association and would be interested in contributing an article on behalf of our {number} members", the magazine might realize the value of having input from an association of professionals in that industry. Do you think they might rely on WEVA to provide information in regards to Video production work?

As national associations in our industry grow, we can achieve much more cumulatively than individually.

Just my thoughts....

Brian