What is a collaborative? +
A Collaborative is a non-profit organization that pools its members together to get better pricing, terms, products, or services or other benefits than each member individually is able to negotiate by themselves. Collaboratives can be non-profit or member or employee owned and are usually specific toward an industry or region. Similar collaboratives exist in many industries, including agriculture, electrical distribution, food distribution, and construction services. Prior to the formation of The Alliance, no current collaborative exists to serve the greater challenge course and aerial adventure industry.
Why was The Alliance formed? +
The Alliance Collaborative was formed as a non-profit to be a resource for the users, manufacturers, distributors, and vendors working in and serving the challenge course, zip line, and aerial adventure industry. As active members within the industry, our founders realized that there is strength in numbers and value in collaboration with others who utilize the same products and services in their delivery of products or programs. The Alliance Collaborative provides our membership with access to resources and discounts that cannot be found or negotiated independently and gives our members the opportunity to discuss common business problems and to collaborate on shared solutions. With group purchasing power we can save more money and develop more shared resources. The Alliance was originally conceived, researched, and funded by: Challenge Works, Experiential Resources, Experiential Systems, Rope Works, and The Adventure Guild. These five organizations saw the benefit of collaboration after having worked together over the past 8 years, and formally began vetting the concept over 4 years ago.
Is the Alliance Collaborative a co-op? +
While similar to a co-op in many fashions, The Alliance Collaborative is not a co-op. The Alliance is formed as an Illinois not for profit corporation, and not as a registered cooperative. While it’s possible that if the organization grows the board may consider this change, there were specific reasons for not registering as a for profit cooperative. The reasons for choosing the collaborative model is based on the following four reasons:
VISION. The current intent of the organization is to serve membership to increase their growth and development, and not the profit of The Alliance itself. The founders believe that an alternative motive for profit within The Alliance, might blur our primary objectives and conflict with our Mission and Vision.
PERSPECTIVE. The founders believe in the value and benefit of collaborating on issues of shared concern and benefit while still engaging competitively within the marketplace, and believe together, by opening up to membership more in the industry can benefit from these opportunities. The founders believe that any potential motive of group, or board member profit, might deter the very organizations we believe could benefit from this model from choosing to participate. Further, it is this second point that is central to why the founders chose known industry leader Bill Weaver as our General Manager to faithfully fulfill the Mission, Vision and goals of The Alliance and its full membership.
LOGISTICS. A significant difference between the collaborative non-profit and a for profit cooperative is the direct distribution of excess funds at the end of the fiscal year back to participating members. The collaborative is set up to offer services and products to members at as low a cost as it can to sustain the organization and its staffing model. For-profit co-ops, offer member/owner stock and members have an ownership stake in the entity and typically receive dividends at the end of the year. This model for an interstate for profit co-op typically requires registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and being licensed as or hiring a licensed securities broker. The Alliance Collaborative is only able to offer member/stakeholder opportunities and not organizational ownership. Our founders, while investors in the development of the organization with loans to the organization are not owners of The Alliance any more than any other member would be considered.
While The Alliance may not distribute dividends, an IRS 501(c)(6) organization may make cash distributions to its members without loss of exemption where such distributions represent no more than a reduction in dues or contributions previously paid to the organization to support its activities. Any return of dues or contributions therefore must be made in proportion to the members dues paid or contributions made.
As such, the Alliance will be able to offer members a rebate of equal percentage if excess funds are available based on 1) their membership dues and 2) the individual member’s financial participation with the organization such as purchases of products or services like hardware or training. The bylaws set out a procedure for the Board to review finances with the General Manager, and to evaluate the forecast for cash flow needed for the next fiscal year, and then determine the percentage of rebate available to members each year (if any) based on a common percentage of excess cash based on a members participation with the collaborative. Rebates are not available however against volunteering of any time or resources, and The Alliance will not pay volunteers other than any pre-determined and agreed upon travel expenses, or in such situations where a volunteer may make a contracted loan to the organization. Note that loans are not investments or purchase of shares of ownership, they shall be repaid, and shall only carry a standard rate of return consistent with federal regulations and common business practices. Rebates are also not available for any donation to The Alliance, but donations and memberships within a non-profit are tax deductible under the IRS code.
How are members vetted? +
The Alliance does not prohibit any individual or organization from joining the collaborative. Our goal is to increase shared business resources and opportunities for all members. Members however must pay dues, complete an application, and comply with the organization’s ethical and anti-trust requirements and all organizational policies to become a member or maintain membership.
Is the collaborative only for vendors and manufacturers? +
No! The Alliance Collaborative has four different member types: Institutional Members, Organizational Members, Individual Members, and Associate Members.
Our Institutional Members are significant investors in the initial organizational development and funding of the collaborative, and are active in working to initiate the programs, opportunities and benefits for all membership levels. Institutional Members are simply Organizational Members with a greater financial and volunteer commitment for the development and initial operations of the collaborative.
Our Organizational Members are businesses that work directly or indirectly in the challenge course, aerial adventure and zip line industry providing products and services that are essential to the industry and have joined The Alliance to obtain education and training, collective buying power, and networking opportunities with other businesses and customers.
Our Individual Members are individuals who have some affiliation within the industry, and wish to be members of the Alliance. They may be facilitators, inspectors, consultants, engineers, arborists, attorneys, or others who may not qualify or do not wish to pay for an Organizational Membership, but wish to be a member and influence the direction of the collaborative.
Our Associate Members are organizations and individuals who wish to simply be involved mainly in a communication and dialogue role with The Alliance with no ownership stake or voting rights.
Do institutional Members have more control in The Alliance or receive more votes or other benefits than other levels of membership? +
Yes. Institutional members have contributed heavily to the initial development of the collaborative, including all business infrastructure and staffing costs. This includes research, development, legal fees, and insurance costs for the start up. Based on this additional investment, as well as their continued membership fees, they receive additional voting rights and a proportionately larger percentage of disbursements issued by The Alliance.
It’s important to note that the Institutional Membership is not a closed group. Opportunities for membership at this level exist for anybody who completes the application, is willing to pay the additional membership dues, can make the additional commitment to volunteering with leadership and helping to direct the organization, complies with anti-trust and ethics policies, and receives board approval as per the bylaws.
It should further be noted that the opportunity to direct the organization and to receive financial benefits exists for all other levels of membership (except Associate Members). Not every organization who wishes to be a member of The Alliance wishes to make the larger financial contribution or has the capacity or interest to serve in leadership (although there will be seats on the board of directors available). However, all levels of membership have a voice in the direction of programs and opportunities provided by the Alliance.
What are the benefits of Organizational and Individual Membership if I don't want to become an Institutional Member? +
Organizational Members and Individual Members, in addition to being stakeholders in The Alliance, have the opportunity to influence the development of additional offerings, programming, and other services or products that The Alliance can provide. Individual and organizational members have voting rights and can contribute to the development of the board of directors and other decisions that may need to be made by The Alliance, including the rebate of funds based on purchases and involvement with or through the Alliance back to members, or for the furthering programs of The Alliance.
Is The Alliance anti-competitive? +
No. The Alliance is a collaborative and is a pro-competitive organization of likeminded members. The Alliance promotes collaboration on shared business issues like purchasing, and other business-related expenses that are common among members with the goal of improving business practices, business efficiencies, and lower overhead. The Alliance has a robust anti-trust policy, and promotes its compliance in all meetings and events sponsored by The Alliance. Our members are barred from discussing such things as prices for their products or services, distribution of markets or regions, and other antitrust issues.
Our goal is to promote competition. And to help competitors improve their business practices while growing their business, ethically. We believe that a strong industry will make stronger competitors.
If as a member you ever hear or learn of a situation that you consider to be inappropriate or to be in violation of Alliance antitrust policies, we urge you to immediately notify The Alliance staff, so that a proper investigation and or sanctions may be applied.
How does the board of directors work? +
The Alliance Board of Directors requires a minimum of five and a maximum of nine individuals to serve on the board. These board members work with Alliance staff to direct the mission and vision of the organization. The board of directors meet at a minimum monthly and work with the General Manager of The Alliance to ensure that
the objectives and missions of The Alliance, and those of its members, are being met. This direction includes reviewing the development of new programming and other services and weighing those options against budgetary restrictions and other considerations. The board of directors will work with General Manager to ensure that appropriate membership surveys are conducted periodically to ensure that services are being met, and that member organizations feel connected with The Alliance and are receiving the benefits they anticipate. The board of directors is the legal fiduciary of The Alliance, they have a legal duty to ensure that The Alliance conducts business with the highest ethical and legal standards for nonprofit associations, trade associations, and co-ops. If interested in serving on the board, applications can be received by contacting Bill Weaver at the Alliance.
The initial board of directors, and several others have been working for several years to put together a business plan and a significant financial investment for the development of The Alliance Collaborative. This investment includes: developing the concept and the framework for the organization, researching the needs of the industry, exploring the costs and benefits of the development of the Alliance, interviewing and hiring staff, providing for the legal review and other required services such as insurance and common business infrastructure such as marketing.
At the time of incorporation, a board needed to be identified. The founders while working on the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation approved an initial Board of Directors, as is required for the formation of a non-profit entity. These members were selected based on their experience and knowledge and formal commitment to the development of the collaborative. At the same time the board acknowledged and incorporated into the bylaws four (4) additional board positions to be voted on by The Alliance membership.
The board of directors has a plan to adopt two (2) additional board members at the first annual election, and two (2) more at the second annual election. These additional board members will represent and be voted on by Active Members of The Alliance. The board believes that it's important rather than accepting board members immediately upon its formation and promotion within the industry, to have a process for interested parties to fill out an application form, and for those interested to have had an opportunity to interact with The Alliance and to develop personal experience and opinions regarding the products and services offered by The Alliance. It is also important for The Alliance to conduct an open election in which all members (except Associate Members) can vote on who they believe are qualified parties based on a position statement and their experience. We want and need additional leadership, and we believe it is necessary and important for any membership-directed organization. But keep in mind as a member directed entity, all members are stakeholders and help to direct the organization regardless of whether they have a seat on the board at a monthly meeting.
Are board meetings open to members? +
The monthly Board meetings will be open to Alliance members and interested others. A conference call line will be provided and members can attend and listen to meetings in a respectful manner, and during the appropriate time offer questions and answers. Opportunities can also be taken by members to communicate directly with individual board members and/or staff via e-mail or phone calls.
It is the goal of The Alliance board and staff to conduct operations transparently for all stakeholder/owners and to help all members receive the benefits of participating in the collaborative.
Will The Alliance lobby governments? +
The Alliance will work to appropriately address matters relevant to the challenge course and aerial adventure industry with State and Provincial authorities on the behalf of the industry and its membership. This lobbying will include supporting existing industry standards and developers like: ACCT, ACA, CWA, ASTM, PRCA and others where appropriate. We believe that having another voice in the industry will make our industry stronger and contribute to the betterment for all who use our technology and participate within our industry.
Are you trying to compete with the ACCT and other existing organizations? +
No. The Alliance is a new and unique organization to the industry. The Alliance is a collaborative association and is a stakeholder directed entity that serves the unique needs of its membership, those not currently being offered by any organization within our industry.
Current member organizations that exist in the marketplace do not offer these services. The Alliance serves to promote the best business practices in the industry, which includes those put forth and developed by organizations such as the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), The Climbing Wall Association (CWA), ASTM International, and the Professional Ropes Course Association (PRCA) amongst others. We promote the use and development of their standards, we support their accreditation practices, and serve to magnify their voice in the industry.
We see The Alliance as something different. As an opportunity for like minds and organizations to pool together resources and to increase the values of their business, through increased efficiency while reducing their bottom line. Collaboration over competition is the cornerstone of The Alliance, and that includes collaborating with other associations. We believe that by pooling resources and collaborating with our peers, all of our businesses will grow and develop the industry as a whole.
While The Alliance may offer educational content specific to documents and skill development, The Alliance does not offer an annual conference or trade show, like the organizations listed above, but instead promotes the conferences and trade shows of these industry leaders. Further, many in The Alliance leadership and membership are active contributors to these leading industry organizations, serving in leadership roles including the development of standards and the promotion and compliance with them.
Does The Alliance write standards? +
No. The Alliance is not in the business of developing a competing standard for the industry and believes in promoting and developing the existing standards in the industry written by ACCT, CWA, ASTM and PRCA.
Does The Alliance offer vendor or program accreditation? +
No. The Alliance is not in the business of accrediting organizations for services. The Alliance however, may offer business verification services, which are voluntary and identify service offerings and areas for which companies are insured or otherwise credentialed to provide including identifying any of the organizations existing accreditations, certifications or licenses.
Does The Alliance offer certification for individuals? +
No. The Alliance currently does not offer any industry certification credentialing such as those offered by ACCT, CWA or PRCA. The Alliance will, however, promote and host training opportunities in conjunction with and supportive of these certification programs. Some of our training opportunities offered by industry partners may have a certification component within their program such as Machine Operator Certification, or Qualified Rigger Certification.
How do I contact someone if I have more questions? +
Please reach out to The Alliance at BOD@thealliancecollaborative.com and a board member or vollunteer will get back with you.
