ABOUT US
Dear Nebraska & South Dakota Jewelers Association Member,
You may have read in the June 22nd issue of JCKnews that Jewelers of America has announced that its partnership with its state and regional affiliates is being “redefined.” In fact, the new proposed agreement that JA sent to then NE/SDJA President Kim Zuzenak specifies that NESDJA can no longer identify itself as a “JA affiliate.”
What does this mean to you as a NESD and a JA member? Although the old agreement between NESD and JA officially ended on August 17, 2009, the first major change that you, as a member may see is your renewal notice for 2010. You will receive a renewal notice from Jewelers of America, which we have been told will be for $95.00. In addition, NESD will also be sending you a renewal notice, and the plans for 2010 is to hold the membership cost to its present rate of $125.00 for stores with less than 10 employees. For longer than most of us can remember but certainly for more than 25 years, JA has strongly urged its state associations to eliminate confusion and allow them to send out one combined billing; so this first year the double billing will undoubtedly result in the confusion they long feared.
Confusion aside, this change means that you as a member will have two choices:
- Continue your dual membership by sending $125.00 to NESD and $95.00 to JA.
- Choose to retain membership in only one of the two associations.
In the coming weeks and months you will certainly receive numerous letters and promotional mailings telling you about the value of retaining your membership in JA. Since NESD has promoted those benefits for more than fifty years, we do not want to tell you that your membership in JA is not important. Instead, we hope that we can point out the benefits that are available to you as a NESD member, and benefits that are not a part of JA’s package. It is also important to say that change is an opportunity, and the leaders of your state jewelers association plan to continue building on the benefits of membership and the rich 100-year history of the Nebraska & South Dakota Jewelers Association!
A number of years ago members of JA’s staff from New York City would regularly visit our conventions because they recognized the need to emphasize “the value of frequent face to face meetings with neighboring jewelers to discuss the concerns, the changes and the opportunities that were common in the area, the state or even the region.” National shows, even those that now have built educational programs into their agenda, do not replace the proven value of sitting around a table sharing thoughts with your neighboring jewelers.
The feeling of “community” is well known by your Rotary and Lion’s Clubs and other main street organizations. Successful jewelers who understand the true meaning of community in our own industry also recognize it! For more than 100 years Nebraska and South Dakota jewelers have worked and even played together and have found strength in togetherness! Today’s industry is not what it was even ten years ago, but history has proven, in times of change independent jewelers benefit by not fighting the fight independently.
We ask that you, an independent retail jeweler, continue to take advantage of the strength provided by your NESD membership. Make your decision now to continue to be a member of the true independent jewelers organization in your state of Missouri!
For a current up-to-date list of the NESD Board members click on the link below.
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