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Nassau Suffolk Landscape Gardeners Association
New York State Landscape & Grounds Association
Q & A / FAQ
Your Association - How It Works
Common Questions & Answers
What is the NSLGA?
The NSLGA is a non-profit association of professionals working in the green industry.
How old is it?
At this writing, approximately 36 years old.
What is its function?
The NSLGA has basically three functions. One is to keep the membership informed of industry happenings, i.e. D.C.T., D.E.C., D.C.E.D., D.C.!., along with new planting, mowing, fertilizer techniques, etc. Second is to provide an avenue for the membership to state their opinions on the same industry happenings, as an individual and a large body. Third, the NSLGA runs educational and social functions to provide the funding for number one and two, i.e., Annual Professional Plant & Turf Conference, Rhode Island Bus Trip, 30 hour pesticide certification course (in the previous years the NSLGA has run recertification programs averaging 175 recertification credits a year), certified apprentice course and certification, moonlight sails, golf tournaments, awards dinners, picnic, health insurance, blood bank, etc.
How is it structured?
The NSLGA has an Executive Board and three separate Chapters, Nassau, Suffolk, and Western Nassau/Queens (new chapters are welcome IF they meet the NSLGA criteria)
What is the Executive Board?
It is a governing board consisting of a chairman, two vice chairmen, secretary, treasurer, the president of each chapter and any executive board chairman who wishes to participate.
What is the Executive Boards function?
The Executive Board has monthly meetings and governs functions that the chapters wish to run jointly.
Who can attend the Executive Board Meeting?
Any chapter officer and guest invited by the chairman.
What is a chapter?
The NSLGA has three separate chapters, Nassau, Suffolk and Western Nassau/Queens. Their purpose is to hold monthly meetings that address local matters, i.e. landfill information, local village, town, and county matters. Most months they provide an ,informative topic and speaker. Each chapter has a separate set of officers - president, vice president, treasurer, recording secretary, corresponding secretary and four trustees.
Who can attend chapter meetings?
Any active member can attend any and all chapter meetings (but can only vote in the chapter he belongs to) Associate Members can attend any and all chapter meetings, also, (but can not vote). Employees are welcome, (but they also have no vote). A nonmember is welcome at one regular meeting.
How are the chapters funded?
A percentage of your dues goes directly to the chapters.
Where does the NSLGA get its work force?
The NSLGA's work force is its membership. All officers and committees are on a strictly volunteer basis. (Members who are willing to, and are not afraid to, get involved for the benefit of their livelihood)
What is the NSLGA office?
The office has many functions. Along with the everyday secretarial and mailing function, it's a place for a member to get the everyday information he/she needs. A secretary is usually there everyday from 9:00am - 4:30pm to take members calls, along with an answering machine that is on 24 hours a day. If information the member requires can not be provided by the secretary, your calls will be returned by one of the officers (keep in mind these people are volunteers and call backs will be made at their convenience) Some of the other functions are to keep the NSLGA records, membership lists, hold the executive board meeting, hold the 30 hour certification course, assist the officers and various committees, and also acts as a place to store NSLGA equipment an( materials.
How is the NSLGA office staffed?
An administrative director and two part time assistants man the office. They are often assisted by volunteer help.
How is the membership made up?
There are four classes of membership.
#1 . Regular Membership, one who is working in the grounds maintenance field, one vote per membership.
#2 - Associate Membership. anyone who is supplying the grounds maintenance field, ie, equipment, fertilizer, pesticide suppliers, tractor work, consulting work, insurance company, CPA, etc. (An Associate Member has no vote, however, one person from the firm is welcome to become a regular member)
#3 - Honorary Membership - consists of people outside the grounds maintenance field who the NSLGA feels has contributed to the success of the association or the green industry as a whole. Honorary membership usually is educators or people from other associations. (Honorary membership has no vote).
#4 . Lifetime Achievement Membership - the lifetime achievement award is given to an active member, who the NSLGA feels has served not only the NSLGA, but the whole greens industry for a significant length of time. This is the highest award given by the NSLGA. In its 36 years of existence, only five have received this award. The lifetime achievement recipient pays no dues, is entitled to all annual functions free of charge, and has a vote in any chapter.
If you have any other questions about the Association, please call (631) 665-2250, fax (631) 665-7004 or drop a line 0 P.O. Box 489, Brightwaters, NY 11718.
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