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What is the value of being up to date on current events,
best practices, and emerging regulations and legislation? How much of your company's revenues are consumed
in taxes, fees, and regulatory compliance? What about insurance, electricity,
transportation, and other costs impacted by state and federal decisions? Do you think it's important that you stay informed and
have a voice in shaping laws and regulations? Do you just want to be buffeted by
developments, or do you want to take some control over your own fate? How much is that worth to your business? Why Join AIV? Because: ·
AIV takes the stands that need to be taken.
·
AIV understands the importance of your company.
·
AIV understands the economic needs of Vermont.
·
Ultimately, Vermont's employers must work together
to secure their future. FAQ about Joining AIV ·
We are not manufacturers. Do we belong in AIV? ·
We sell businesses goods or services. Are there advantages for us in joining
AIV? ·
Does AIV represent big business or small business?
·
Is AIV a partisan organization? ·
We don't agree with some positions taken by
AIV. Why should we join?
·
We have to prioritize expenses. Can we afford to
join AIV? ·
Are AIV dues tax-deductible? ·
We already have a lobbyist. What use is AIV
representation? ·
We already belong to another association. Why
should we join AIV? In short, we are your extended
staff providing representation, information, and assistance
that you can't afford to be without. Since 1920, AIV has been the leading association for
Vermont manufacturers and supporting businesses. We have the state-wide presence,
diversity of membership, policy expertise, and political credibility to help
keep the industrial and business community operating and prospering. ·
Membership
brings you effective, affordable representation on legislative and
regulatory issues impacting the business community or your own individual
company. ·
Our
weekly newsletter and action alerts keep you up-to-date on
state and federal developments. ·
Our
task forces and special individual meetings let you interact
directly with state officials, legislators, and colleagues to develop and
promote pro-business policies and address your own specific needs. ·
Our
seminars and workshops educate you on key business matters, and
AIV staff can provide you with assistance directly or by connecting you with
the right resources. ·
Our
special benefits and services are continually under development
to increase the value of membership. ·
Focused
advertising and networking are of particular value to our
service- and supply-oriented members. AIV is consistently the lead business association
on critical legislative and regulatory issues impacting Vermont manufacturers
and other businesses. In fact,
sometimes AIV is the only association stepping up to the plate. This is especially true on issues that directly impact
the bottom line, like workers' compensation and health insurance,
environmental and transportation regulations, the cost and reliability of
energy, and taxes. The following are
only a few examples of what AIV has worked on recently: This past year, AIV helped lead successful efforts to
turn aside new taxes on property
transfers, cars and trucks used by employers, and finally the proposed tax on
Vermont Yankee, which would have led to higher electricity costs in the
future. AIV remains closely
engaged in efforts to ensure that new legislation and regulations arising out
the climate change debate actually
help Vermont's employers through education, sustainable financing, and
positive incentives rather than impose unnecessary and costly new taxes,
mandates, and bureaucracy. AIV is
representing the business community on a study committee addressing the
regulation of water withdrawals
for commercial and industrial uses. In the previous Legislature, AIV successfully defeated
efforts to increase taxes on domestic
manufacturing and other "productive" activities, and was the
only business association actively involved in the debate on reforming net
operating loss tax treatment -- successfully stopping a proposal that
would have increased taxes on many employers and paving the way for a more
responsible and positive reform. In the health care debate, AIV was the only major
state association to oppose both new taxes and new mandates on businesses and
individuals. In fact, AIV was the
only one that did not actually propose new taxes or new mandates; rather, we
took the lead in trying to put cost reduction first. AIV continues to help employers deal
with the reforms that passed and to work toward repealing the new health-care
related taxes on employers. AIV also led the fight against new renewable energy
mandates that risk increasing electric rates in the years ahead, and
encouraging alternative policies to reduce barriers and provide positive
incentives for energy development. During the 2003-2004 Legislature, AIV set the standard
for substantive workers' compensation reform and helped lay the
foundation for renewed reform efforts in the future. AIV worked closely with
the Administration to develop and ultimately pass Act 250 reform. We
helped enact legislation easing unemployment insurance costs for new
companies while fending off proposals to raid the UI Trust Fund for new
programs. AIV was the only business association to oppose corporate
tax rule changes in 2004 that could jeopardize thousands of Vermont jobs
dependent on multi-state employers. Whether AIV stands alone or at
the head of a coalition, our members know that we will always stand up for
their interests. Policy struggles can be long and
hard. Our members understand that progress is made by clearly articulating
and standing up for what is right.
We work out compromises when it truly moves the issue forward, not to
simply claim victories in name only.
The consistent strength of AIV has led even many of our
strongest opponents to respect our integrity and dedication to our members. More than any other business association, AIV
understands the economic importance of manufacturing, which not only provides
the best wages, benefits, and opportunities for working Vermonters, but also
the greatest support for other economic sectors. And Vermont needs manufacturers of all types and sizes
and in all areas of the state, from biotechnology to hand-crafted furniture,
from the largest international corporation to the sole proprietor operation,
in every county -- especially rural Vermont. Although travel and tourism are
important parts of Vermont's economy and we have some related members, AIV is
the only broad-based business association in Vermont not dominated by the travel
and tourism sector. Our unmatched focus and commitment to core economic
issues and the needs of manufacturers and related companies reflects this
important distinction. AIV
understands the economic needs of Vermont. AIV understands that creating and preserving jobs is not
about pop economic theories or slogans, headlines, and narrow programs. It's about basic fundamentals of broad based tax relief,
broad relief in regulations, basic changes to increase competition and lower
costs in health and workers' compensation insurance, increased supply of
energy and elimination of unnecessary costs, and improvements in our
transportation and communications infrastructure. It's about letting the market do what it does best,
without undue burdens or government micromanagement. This understanding of economic
fundamentals is not only critical to the success of manufacturing, but to all
business sectors in the state. The political and economic challenges facing Vermont
manufacturers and other businesses are truly enormous. Your membership will provide the
financial and human resources AIV needs to not only continue but to increase
our influence in government and our service to members. We understand the many demands on member resources. But you might be surprised just how
much value you get for your investment in AIV. If you want to make a difference for
your own business and for Vermont, email info@aivt.org
to request application information. Absolutely.
Although AIV is primarily a manufacturing association, since 1920 we
have grown to include members from virtually every sector of the economy. AIV's core membership runs the full range of the
manufacturing, mining, and forestry sectors, with companies of every size and
from every part of the state. But AIV members are also contractors, staffing agencies,
banks, engineering firms, insurance companies, law firms, farming operations,
retailers, and many other kinds of businesses and organizations. These members often depend on a
thriving manufacturing sector as an important part of their customer
base. One thing that unites all members is the understanding
that the work and services of AIV benefit all Vermont businesses. Yes. There
are many ways membership can help you sell your goods or services to other
members. Marketing opportunities
through our newsletter and web site, sponsorship opportunities, and many
face-to-face networking opportunities are of substantial benefit to many of
our members. In fact, there is a
good chance your business is missing out on important opportunities by not
being a member of AIV. Email info@aivt.org to find out more
about opportunities for advertising, sponsorships, and networking. Our members are of every size and
configuration. The fact is that
most Vermont employers are "small businesses". But AIV recognizes that a healthy
economy needs companies with thousands of employees, sole proprietor
operations, and everything in between.
We work hard to make sure laws and regulations reflect the needs and
interests of the full range of businesses and do not unduly benefit one type
at the expense of another. We often reach out to non-members with mailings and
invitations to seminars and workshops, as well as some task force
meetings. This not only exposes
these companies to the value of AIV membership, but also helps further our
mission of helping Vermont's industrial and business community as a whole. Nevertheless, AIV products and
services are generally for members only.
We are always glad to talk with non-members who need help, but there
are limits as to what we can do for them unless they join. Absolutely.
We understand that not every business leader wants to testify before a
legislative committee or otherwise engage in policy struggles in public. Member involvement at any level is
entirely voluntary. Moreover, it is our general policy not to release our
membership directory. Members who do not want to engage
in public or potentially public activities still appreciate the work we do on
their behalf and the benefits we provide, and they remain valued by AIV. AIV is not a partisan
organization. AIV seeks and finds
support from members of all parties depending on the issue at hand. Our activities and our relationships
with legislators and other government officials are always based on
substance. It is difficult to find unanimity in any large
association on every issue. Some
members might not care about a given issue, and sometimes different members
might have interests that conflict. But by far, most of AIV's agenda is based on fundamental
principles that benefit all members.
Where there are substantive differences of interest, we work hard to
promote the broadest good. Our members understand and
appreciate this approach. They
know that even in the unlikely case they might not agree with a specific
position taken by AIV, the benefit our agenda provides their company makes
membership well worth it. Our members drive our agenda. Our annual and event-driven member
surveys and our policy task forces help shape our policy positions and
activities. In fact, AIV takes a number of
steps to ensure that we truly speak for our members as a whole. We even cap our dues schedule at a
comparatively low amount so that members don't feel that their payroll affects
their voice. We understand the pressures on members to control
expenses. AIV works hard to limit
our own expenses and maximize value for the dues our members pay. We also recognize that members go
through good times and bad, and always try to work with members who are going
through a rough patch. In deciding whether it is worth joining AIV, however,
you should keep these things in mind: ·
Your
membership helps AIV fight to keep your taxes and regulatory costs lower. ·
Your
membership gives you access to lower cost services like health insurance and
shipping options. ·
90%
of your dues is tax deductible as a business expense (see below). How much is that worth to your
business? For federal income tax purposes,
almost all of your AIV membership dues are deductible as a business
expense. This amount can vary
from year to year depending on our lobbying activities, but is never expected
to be less than 90%. The amount
is specified on invoices each year. Several of our members have their own lobbyist, either as
an employee or through contract, and they can play a valuable role for those
companies. Indeed, AIV generally
works in coordination with these lobbyists to the benefit of our members. Nevertheless, such lobbyists cannot provide the member
benefits and services that AIV provides. Another consideration is strength in numbers. Causes can often suffer in Montpelier
if they can be characterized, fairly or unfairly, as affecting only one or
even a handful of individual companies.
Time and again, the involvement of AIV has made decision makers
appreciate the broader significance of a given issue or proposal, and
produced a result difficult to achieve for an individual lobbyist. In fact, many lobbyists actually
encourage their clients to join AIV because of the reinforcing support AIV
membership provides. There are a number of fine business associations in
Vermont, and many of our members belong to more than one. But AIV membership brings advantages
that cannot be matched by other associations, and our members find that AIV
is either a necessary addition to their other memberships or simply all they
need. For members of local chambers or other associations, AIV
membership brings better connections to state and national developments
impacting their business, broader networking and marketing opportunities, and
a stronger voice before agencies and the Legislature. Similarly, members of more narrowly focused trade
associations benefit from the broader range and stronger voice of AIV. Indeed, several trade associations
have joined AIV as a group. AIV is the only state-wide association that puts
manufacturing front and center. Although travel and tourism are important parts of
Vermont's economy and we have some related members, AIV is the only
broad-based association in Vermont not dominated by the travel and tourism
sector. Our unmatched focus and
commitment to core economic issues and the needs of manufacturers and related
companies reflects this important distinction. Finally, we know from our members
themselves that the caliber of our publications, technical assistance,
seminars and workshops, and involvement of members directly in the shaping of
regulations and legislation is unmatched by any local, trade, or other
broad-based association. If you are interested in starting
the application process or just finding out more information, just email info@aivt.org. Please indicate whether you want a
membership packet, want more information, would like to arrange a visit with
AIV staff or other members, and if you are interested in marketing products
or services to AIV members. |
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Copyright © 2008 Associated Industries of Vermont |
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