| October 2013 | Past Issues | Advertise | Affiliates Search | PCOC.org |
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CONCERNS FROM A MEMBER Every once in a while, I receive an email or message from a member voicing concerns about what they perceive as issues with PCOC. I recently received an email from a member, whom I shall not name, concerning some advertising. Because PCOC represents the pest control industry in California, he felt that the advertising done on our website and in the magazine was dominated by one or two firms. This member felt that the organization was selling out to the highest bidder rather than representing all members. I'm sharing my response to this email because often one person may voice what others may be thinking. I wanted to thank you for emailing me. We always like to clear up any misunderstandings. I can understand the concerns you have, but I would like to take a few minutes to hopefully dispel any issues you have. 1) Advertising space is open to all. Anyone can advertise on our website or in the magazines. We have a separate firm that is not related to the pest control industry that handles advertising and advertising placement. 2) No matter how much a company advertises in our publications, they get no special treatment or favoritism. Our main function at PCOC is legislative and regulatory advocacy. We focus on upcoming legislative and regulatory bills and support the ones that are good for the industry and oppose those that are harmful. We have created relationships with legislators down at the Capitol, and we even get involved with helping to direct some policies like with the upcoming second generation anti-coagulant rodenticide issues. Representatives of PCOC have been working directly with the Department of Pesticide Regulation to steer the upcoming guidelines. 3) PCOC is mainly made up of volunteer members that act on our board of directors. They are pest control company owners, employees, and even a few retirees. They all vote on upcoming issues and come from a wide range of small, medium and large pest control companies throughout California. They are the ones that vote on policy. With more than100 directors, no one company can buy the representation of PCOC. That is not how the association is structured. 4) PCOC is a non-profit organization. We have only four paid staff members, and their salaries are not dictated by how much money is made. 5) I, as director of membership, am currently working to add new benefits for members that will help companies save money on services they use in the industry like uniforms, credit card processing, equipment leasing, fleet pricing and management, prepaid legal services, and many others. I am looking to add many new ones. We, as an association, have a lot of buying power, and I am trying to use that buying power to negotiate discount pricing and better services for our members. Those are just some of the things PCOC is working to do for the pest control industry in California. I hope this helps to alleviate some the concerns you have.
PCOC MEMBERS' VALUE PROGRAM ADDITION As many of you know, PCOC has been looking to add new benefits for its members. We have recently added a new credit card processing program, Electronic Payments. Electronic Payments was founded by Michael Nardy, a third generation pest control technician whose father owns Nardy Pest Control on the East Coast. Michael's early experience as a pest control technician and animal trapper has come to influence Electronic Payments technologies, including its mobile solution that processes sales and refunds straight from any mobile device. They have all the service offerings and program features you require in a payment processing system, including:
Our representative, Gil Dowling, is even paying $300 toward any early cancellation fees from your current credit card processing provider and will pay $100 toward your PCOC membership when you sign up for their service. Contact Gil Dowling, your dedicated Relationship Manager, at (804) 916-0412 or visit www.epinocal.com to learn more about the program.
ACE CERTIFICATION CLASSES The ACE (Associate Certified Entomologist) program is designed to benefit the practicing pest control professional. You do not need an advanced degree to participate, just a solid grasp of the practical aspects of applied entomology and seven years in the industry. The ACE examination consists of 150 multiple choice and true false questions specifically geared towards structural pest management. ACE PREP COURSE AND EXAM Target Specialty Products, Santa Fe Springs $250 includes continental breakfast and lunch on day of class Class 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Oct 30 Test 9 a.m. -12 p.m. Nov 2 To register, call Target Specialty Products, Yalitza Vargas at 562-802-2238 Instructor: Laurie Jo Jensen (laurie@bugwizzards.com) Note: ESA Exam requires separate application and $150 fee to Entomological Society of America Go to entocert.org for appliation for exam. ACE PREP COURSE AND EXAM Univar USA, City of Commerce Class 8 a.m. -5 p.m. Nov 12 Test 9 a.m. -12 p.m. Nov 19 To register, call Laurie Jo Jensen, BCE at 949-412-8773 or email laurie@bugwizzards.com Note: ESA Exam requires separate application and $150 fee to Entomological Society of America Go to entocert.org for application for exam. We have also added In and Out Traffic School (online) (877) 526-1280 Have you or one of your employees gotten a ticket or accident and need to keep the point off of your record and don't want to sit through a whole day of boring traffic school. Take it online. Go to the following web address and get a $10 discount as PCOC member: Click here
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