and the annual convention. The ALOA logo is affixed to all correspondence. With the addition of re-certification, many distributors, manufacturers and as- sociations have asked ALOA to recognize their training. Many of these have agreed to include in their advertising that their edu- cation meets ALOA requirements. They are encouraged to use the ALOA logo. In many of the locksmith scam news reports, ALOA- identified members are interviewed, and our 10-point checklist to finding a locksmith is oſten quoted. End 3: Communication Electronic communications methods such as constant contact have become the most effective and efficient methods of commu- nicating with the membership. Numerous emails notifying the membership of indus- try news as it becomes available, scheduled events, bookstore sales, renewal reminders, deaths of industry leaders, and much more. There are broad forms of communication available to membership such as Keynotes, the ALOA Weekly Update and the ALOA website, all of which routinely feature in- formation about products, techniques and industry news. Keynotes magazine plays an integral role in how we deliver information; because it is in the Members Only section of the website as soon as it goes to print, the speed of delivery has been drastically improved, especially to our international members. The communication provides more di- rect and timely updates. It is emailed to all members who have provided us with an email address. Communication of upcom- ing events, classes, press releases and other information of interest to the membership are sent out daily via constant contact to email addresses on file. Keynotes magazine has been redesigned to broaden the scope of the information delivered to members. Each issue contains articles based on our newly restructured 34 KEYNOTES JULY/AUGUST 2014 “Over the past year, the Education Department has been involved in a number of projects. The highest priority has been on trying to coordinate the new Education Building project between the architect, contractor and ALOA.” editorial calendar, and a series of Spotlight departments, including: Automotive, featuring articles on auto- motive locksmithing Institutional, featuring articles on insti- tutional locksmithing Technology, featuring articles on the lat- est technologies in access control, video and biometrics Investigative, featuring articles on foren- sic locksmithing. Business, providing relevant business articles on topics such as management, fi- nances and personnel What’s New provides updates on asso- ciation and member activity, applicants for membership, upcoming industry events, and PRP/ACE sittings and classes; Back to Basics provides essential information on locksmithing tools and techniques; and Marketplace gives readers a quick guide to products and services. The ALOA Annual Convention provides members with direct access to manufactur- ers, both on the show floor and in classes. Hundreds of manufacturers’ representatives are available at the convention each year to answer our members’ questions. Many of the seminars and half-day classes at conven- tion are taught by manufacturer trainers. ALOA not only communicates with mem- bers, prospective members and the indus- try by exhibiting at regional and national security shows, but also by participating in conventions abroad such as the European Locksmith Federation (ELF) and exhibi- tions in China and other countries. Dis- tributor shows offer representatives from ALOA an opportunity to communicate in a one-on-one environment with members and prospective members regarding a wide variety of issues. Communication is demonstrated to the membership on a more personal level with headquarters’ staff assistance for individual issues regarding membership, convention, education and certification. ALOA Chap- ters are still a valuable source at the grass- roots level. ALOA works with the chapters many times making available free education packages to be given away at local meetings or events. End 4: Legislation ALOA continues to battle against fake lock- smith scams. Throughout the years, ALOA has taken steps to raise the issue before the public and proper authorities. We recognize that only through education can we teach people to be weary of the thousands of list- ings in phone books and on the internet. It wasn’t too many years ago that we setup a website for locksmiths (www.aloa.org/leg- islation/pressroom.php) and one for con- sumers (www.aloa.org/AGMap/AG.htm) to explain the problem and provide resources to notify the proper authorities of scam- mer issues. Although it may appear that little progress has been made in this battle, ALOA receives numerous contacts each week in this regard. Barry Roberts Associates provides effec- tive representation of members to legislators, WWW.ALOA.ORG
