Great News!

The Arizona Alarm Association (AzAA) Board of Directors has approved AzAA becoming a Charter State Association of the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA)!

What does this mean for you?

AzAA will be reducing its dues for all Regular Members (security and monitoring companies) by $200 per year!

All AzAA Regular Members are required to become members of NBFAA also (a majority of AzAA members are already members of NBFAA). NBFAA membership dues are based upon the number of employees in your company and they have a convenient method of figuring them out for you on their web site at www.alarm.org. You will receive one bill from NBFAA which will include both the NBFAA and AzAA dues for 2009.

As a member of NBFAA, you are entitled to the many membership benefits they offer including:

• An exclusive coupon book worth more than $1250 in savings. You also have discounts through nearly a dozen affinity partners.
• A wide range of discounted industry training, both in the classroom and online, is available to NBFAA members through our National Training School (NTS). More than 2,500 online business skills courses are available at member-discounted rates.
• Security America Risk Retention Group, an insurance program developed by NBFAA, offers extremely affordable general liability and errors & omissions insurance exclusively to NBFAA members. Up to $5M in general liability and E&O insurance is available through Security America.
• We offer a powerful, collective voice to affect government legislation and lobby on your behalf on the local, state, and federal levels. Members also have access to a free state licensing guide and monthly state and federal legislative reports.
• As a member you gain national exposure through your member company listing. Even gaining one customer through your listing on the NBFAA Web site could pay for your membership. NBFAA member companies also receive a heightened level of credibility and exposure, as consumers recognize and trust that the NBFAA promotes a standard of ethics and quality.
• NBFAA also works for members through national public relations efforts that educate consumers on the benefits of electronic life safety and security systems.
• Membership also provides an opportunity to influence decisions that shape and affect the association and the industry through active participation in state and/or national committees.
• Knowledge is power and NBFAA helps members keep their fingers on the pulse of the industry by providing information in various formats. For example, members receive advice on industry issues such as VoIP and Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) and how they affect your business. Industry-relevant communication is sent via regular mail, the Web site, electronic member updates, quarterly newsletters, and electronic alerts.
• NBFAA provides networking opportunities through meetings and conferences held throughout the year and across the country. Leaders, mentors and colleagues are available for quick advice and tried-and-true solutions.
• NBFAA offers you one strong, collective voice to speak and act on your behalf with regard to industry issues and affairs.

In order to become a Charter State Association, AzAA must make some changes to its present Bylaws stating that we are a Charter State Association, adding a new Affiliate Category of Membership and updating our Grievance Process. In addition, the Board of Directors would like to change the requirement of the number of Board meetings per year from 10 to 6.

According to our Bylaws, any proposed amendments must be voted on at a regular meeting of the AzAA. We will be voting on the attached amendments at our December 10, 2008 Membership Meeting and Annual Holiday Party at Monti's La Casa Vieja, Tempe. Gary White with Scottsdale Police Department will be speaking at the meeting on their new alarm ordinance. Please come prepared to discuss the attached amendments and to vote for next year's Board of Directors.

For 2009, we have 4 positions open on the Board and to date the candidates are:

• President: Maria Malice
• Vice-President: Kent Rini
• Directors: Dan Gibbons and Mac Potokar

If you are interested in running for the Board, please contact the AzAA office at 480-831-1318 or suebrenton@aol.com. Terms of office are two years, and the Board typically holds many of its meetings via conference call.

If you have any questions, please contact me.