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Why Join the ICCA? |
How can the ICCA support your success as a consultant?
SUCCESS THROUGH ASSOCIATION
When long-time loyal members are asked why they belong to the ICCA, they invariably refer to the rewards derived from associating with fellow consultants. These rewards can be quite tangible. Many have pointed to the ICCA as their primary source of new business gained from referrals through other members. The more a member participates, the more a member gains.
ICCA benefits its members by offering opportunities for associating at chapter meetings, at our conferences, and on the ICCA National web site.
Association is our most important product.
Professionalism, high standards of ethical conduct, and quality service are what ICCA members believe in and strive to achieve through shared experience and education.
Big Company Benefits for Small Businesses!
A complete, up-to-date list of member benefits is available on the ICCA National web site. In addition, the Northern New Jersey Chapter also provides benefits to members of the local chapter.INSURANCE PROGRAMS
A small business needs to provide the same benefits that a large corporation provides. ICCA offers its members a full range of insurance programs to choose from.Professional Liability insurance is offered to members at low rates. You can now protect yourself and satisfy your client's concerns in this area.
ICCA is pleased to offer members who qualify medically, a comprehensive, competitively priced health insurance plan including major medical and hospital coverage. Other options include long term disability coverage, maternity coverage, dental plans, and low rate life insurance.
STANDARD FORM CONTRACT
ICCA's legal counsel has created a standard contract form appropriate for computer consulting contracts. This standard form contract is provided to every member and maintained on the ICCA National web site for members to download.Our associates specializing in computer law consider it a well constructed document. Members may adapt it in whole or in part when negotiating specific contracts with their clients, thus cutting down on possible legal fees. This contract provides a beginning document which can be adapted for use in all states with minor changes that may be required by varying state laws.
DISCOUNTS
All members pay lower rates for ICCA events, of course. ICCA also provides new members with group discounts for telephone service, pagers, express mail, rental cars, and many more.
CLIENT BROCHURE
The ICCA provides a promotional brochure you can give to your clients along with your own promotional material. The brochure helps to remind the client that you are a professional who subscribes to a code of ethics, that you are truly independent, and that you belong to an industry that is truly professional.Education and Networking
CHAPTERS
Member firms are located nationwide. To serve them, there are chapters in many major metropolitan areas. ICCA's top priority in the next two years will be to greatly expand and support our chapter network. Chapter meeting programs, community referral services, and shared resources offer unlimited opportunities for consultants to grow their businesses.
CONFERENCES
ICCA's annual spring conference is the major event of the year. Programs feature sessions that support professional, technical, business and personal success. Major industry leaders are featured speakers. Representatives of vendor sponsored consultant relations programs participate. Attendees learn from the experience of their colleagues. Contacts made with peers from across the country can lead to business expansion beyond the local area. Conferences are fun, too.Government Relations
MONITORING LEGISLATION
We must be constantly alert to government regulations and tax-related laws affecting our industry. The ICCA and its members in key states and Washington, D.C. monitor legislative activity, reporting to the membership regularly on issues that potentially impact small businesses offering technical services.At the state and local level the ICCA has lobbied against tax laws that threaten our industry's independence. In California members influenced favorable decisions defining contractor versus employee status.
ICCA provides each new member with the TAX AND BUSINESS HANDBOOK FOR CONSULTANTS AND CLIENTS: A guide for doing business as an Independent Consultant Under Section 1706 of the 1986 Tax Reform Act, written by Jonathan D. Wallace , Esq.
Industry Recognition
ICCA's VENDOR/CONSULTANT LIAISON GROUP
Sponsored by computer industry leaders who recognize the importance of the independent consultant in supporting their products and services. When vendors and consultants work together, everybody benefits - especially the end user.Professional Standards and Practices
The computer industry is young, rapidly advancing, and at the heart of our information age. Experienced computer professionals must race to keep ahead. Every expert brings a unique set of experiences, skills and talents to the table. ICCA is taking as lead in establishing independent computer consulting as a recognized profession.
INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS (ICCP)
ICCA is one of twelve major computer-related associations represented on the board of directors of ICCP. ICCP has established a recognized program of identifying and measuring the technical skills of computer professionals.
BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
The art of consulting may be more difficult to measure. ICCA is working to build a body of knowledge that clearly identifies the standards and practices which will describe the essence of the consultant/client relationship and ultimately define the professional computer consultant.Information Central
THE INDEPENDENT
ICCA's substantive bimonthly newsletter features information on the business of consulting. You will find regular updates on legislative issues; news about allied organizations; technical advice; essays on client/consultant relations; articles on how to succeed in business; marketing tips; and opinions from colleagues on issues of importance to our membership and profession.
DATA BASE AND DIRECTORIES
A data base of members with descriptions of their businesses is maintained in ICCA's national office. Publication of an updated printed directory is planned. It is now possible for ICCA to respond at both the national and chapter level to those who inquire about the services independent consultants offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of consulting services are considered computer-related?
Computer consulting refers to all computer related problem solving activity. The great wealth of talents, skills, and specialties is what makes our association so vital. We welcome diversity in the expertise represented by our members.
Our combined experience covers operating systems from micros and minis to mainframes of all major manufacturers. Among other areas, we cover systems integration and analysis, design and development, application or systems programming, training and education, technical writing, hardware design and development, installation and serve business, science and the arts.
What do my dues pay for?
Dues allocated for chapter operations are collected by the national office and forwarded directly to the chapter. They support meeting programs, referral services, publication of local directories, and local publicity and advertising.
A significant portion of the basic dues also contributes to chapter support by covering the cost of central administration, promotion, trade show booths, legal protection of directors and officers, legal costs of not-for-profit incorporation, etc.
Some of the dues offset costs of producing conferences and other national meetings not fully covered by registration fees. A portion of volunteer expenses must also be covered to support activities related to governing the association and maintaining nationwide programs.
Marketing efforts targeting potential members, staff to respond to inquiries from prospective members, new member processing and member support, administering programs and benefits, printing cost of information material, maintaining information, and publishing our bimonthly newsletter, The Independent, all contribute to the cost of running the association.
Why is there a wide variation in the amount allocated to chapter dues?
Some chapters offer additional services at the local level. The larger metropolitan areas support paid administrative services. Many active chapters provide a service to the community to help clients locate appropriate consulting resources. Expenses of running a chapter may be greater in areas with a higher cost of living.
What is the difference between a member and an associate?
Because the ICCA is an association of and for independent computer consultants, members assume the responsibility for governing the association by voting and holding office.
Associates are not eligible to vote or hold office. In most other respects, associates enjoy the same benefits as consultant members. We encourage associates to actively participate in programs and on committees for the mutual benefit of all participants.
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Last Updated: March 25, 2001