WHO IS ASA ?
ASA was formed in 1966 by three Washington, D.C., subcontractors
that met to discuss problems common to all subcontractors.
From this meeting came the recommendation to form a national
trade association which would exclusively represent and protect
the interests of all construction subcontractors.
At the same time, a small group in New York City came to the
same conclusion. The two groups joined forces to form the
American Subcontractors Association (ASA).
The ASA is a not-for-profit trade association representing
subcontractors, specialty trade contractors, and suppliers
- the
heartbeat of the construction industry. The national
association serves more than 7,000 member companies through
a nationwide network of local and state chapters.
In the beginning, ASA concentrated efforts spearheaded by
a few determined member firms that laid a much-needed foundation
recognizing that subcontractors needed a solid platform to
assure fair representation.
Now, membership services have been expanded and ASA stands
recognized nationally as the leading construction association
serving the subcontracting and supplier community in the construction
industry.
FORMATION OF ASA NATIONAL AND TEXAS CHAPTERS
American Subcontractors Association Inc. - National Organization
- 1966
ASA - North Texas Chapter - 1969
ASA - Houston Chapter - 1974
ASA of Texas Inc. - State Association - 1975
ASA - Austin Chapter - 1983
ASA - San Antonio Chapter - 1985
ASA - Rio Grande Valley - 1985
Texas Construction Association (TCA) - 1999
The American Subcontractors Association represents the concerns
and interests of construction subcontractors, specialty contractors,
suppliers, and industry professionals through legislation,
education and member services. As the united voice of
subcontractors and suppliers, ASA strives to promote fair
business practices by providing factual information to its
members and by seeking legislative reforms and industry-wide
agreements.
Currently there are five active ASA Chapters in Texas: North
Texas, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and the Rio Grande Valley
Chapters.
Each ASA Chapter is affiliated with a national organization,
the American Subcontractors Association Inc. (ASA Inc.) as
well as with a state-wide organization, American Subcontractors
Association of Texas Inc. (ASAT) and the Texas Construction
Association (TCA) - all working together to make our industry
more successful every day.
> ASA offers information
through educational materials designed especially for the
subcontracting / supplier industry; hands-on seminars; chapter
newsletters, a quarterly national publication, chapter and
National Web sites, chapter and national Business
Practice Interchange Programs (BPI) and much more.
> ASA offers political clout
with representation at the federal, state, and local levels
by being directly involved in legislative issues including
prompt payment, contingent payment, liens laws, surety bonding,
and worker's comp, just to name a few.
> ASA offers industry communication
by working with other construction organizations to promote
team unity. ASA relies on partnering and non-competitive relationships
with the understanding that not all business issues can be
met through just one association.
> ASA offers networking through
regular monthly meetings, seminars, national conventions and
leadership forums, various social events.
> ASA is continually striving
to improve the economic well being of subcontractors and to
alleviate problems effecting them through a variety of avenues.
BASIC CHAPTER FUNCTIONS
MEETINGS
Chapters hold monthly dinner or luncheon meetings. Programs
are timely, informative and industry related, i.e. upcoming
projects, economic forecasts, legislation, OSHA (compliance
issues) primary areas of safety concern in the industry -
increase in onsite inspections, project scheduling, etc.
BUSINESS PRACTICES INTERCHANGE
BPI meetings are held at every monthly ASA meeting. You cannot,
however, always wait for a meeting to obtain BPI information.
As an ASA Member, you can contact your chapter office or BPI
Chairman to obtain information before bidding a job. You can
also get information from across the country. BPI information
is available from every ASA Chapter and ASA National. This
is good to know when you are bidding on an out of town project
or the GC is not local.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Seminars such as Killer
Clauses in Contracts, Texas Lien & Bond Claims, Texas Sales
Tax & Audits, 401K-Roth IRA-Profit Sharing-Employee Benefits-Cafeteria
Plans Seminar, Credit & Collection Techniques, Winning at
the Recruiting Game, and
But This Safety Junk Costs Money! are offered by
ASA Chapters.
In addition, outstanding user friendly publications written
by and for subcontractors and suppliers are available
through ASA National. Topics covered include Fundamentals of
Fair Subcontracts, Lien & Bond Claims in the 50 States,
and Mastering Subcontracts.
NETWORKING
Networking is a valuable benefit of ASA - through meetings,
and serving on committees or teams with other subs and suppliers
sharing common concerns and challenges you gain knowledge
of the industry, establish new industry contacts, and make
new allies within your trade and other trades.
LEGISLATIVE INVOLVEMENT - HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Members volunteer to serve on Chapter Legislative Committees.
Chapters share their views with the State Chapter (ASA of
Texas), which in turn has representation on the TCA Board.
Chapter members are asked to get involved in visiting, writing
letters, calling their legislators regarding legislative issues
facing the construction industry, and making contributions
to support TCA lobbying efforts. ASA members also go to Austin
to testify during House and Senate Committee hearings and
to meet with their legislators to gain their support. Getting
involved in the legislative process is one of the most rewarding
steps you can take to improve the construction industry.
FUNDRAISERS AND SOCIAL EVENTS
Chapter fundraisers and social events include golf tournaments,
skeet shoots, fishing tournaments, BBQs and auctions. Table
Top Trade Shows, GC Nights and Awards Night have become annual
events as well.
ASA TEXAS CHAPTERS
ASA - Austin Chapter
P.O. Box 36
Round Rock, TX 78680-0036
(512) 218-8275
(512) 244-7785 FAX
Executive Director: Shelli Menegos
Email: austin@austin.rr.com
Web site: ASA-Austin.org
ASA - Houston Chapter
P.O. Box 141
Sugar Land, TX 77487-0141
(713) 779-7827
(281) 403-6301 Cell
(281) 403-6302 FAX
Executive Director: Brianna Boudreau
Email: asa@asahouston.org
Web site: asahouston.org
ASA - North Texas Chapter
2715 Avenue E East, #616
Arlington, TX 76011
(817) 640-8275
(817) 695-7769 FAX
Executive Director: Linda White
Email: lswhite@asa-northtexas.org
Web site: www.asa-northtexas.org
ASA - Rio Grande Valley Chapter
P.O. Box 531793
Harlingen, TX 78553-1793
(956) 428-4636
(956) 428-8708 FAX
Executive Director: Mike Harris
Email: asargv@sbcglobal.net
ASA - San Antonio Chapter
P.O. Box 29741
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 349-2105
(210) 349-2847 FAX
Executive Director: Heidi Davis
Email: heidi@asa.mpowermail.com
ASA of Texas Inc. (state chapter)
P.O. Box 782
Austin, TX 78767-0782
(512) 472-9111
(512) 472-9449 FAX
Email: asatexas@swbell.net
American Subcontractors Association Inc. (National)
1004 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3512
(703) 684-3450
(703) 836-3482 FAX
Email: asaoffice@asa-hq.com
Web site: www.asaonline.com
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