These are just some of the benefits you will receive in return for your IBBA Dues
- The IBBA Logo - A Symbol Of Professional Integrity
As a member you are entitled to use the IBBA Logo on your website, business cards, brochures, advertising, and other promotional materials. The IBBA logo stands for quality, integrity, and adherence to a strict code of ethics. Only IBBA members in good standing are permitted to display and use the IBBA logo. As a term of membership, members agree to display the logo on their websites and in publications in a positive manner that reflects pride and respect for the IBBA.
- IBBA Video and CD "Butterflies and You"
Every IBBA member in good standing receives free of charge the video/CD "Butterflies and You". This video was produced by the IBBA in 2001 and is an especially useful marketing tool. It can be used at marketing events such as bridal shows, copied for distribution to a client, shown to civic groups and organizations; the uses are numerous and the video is exquisite. How many times have you had a client ask, "Can you send me a video of a release" only to not have a good one available? Now you have one! ONLY IBBA MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING MAY USE THE VIDEO FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES! The video includes the sections The Beauty of the Release, The Professional Butterfly Breeder, and Experts Answer With Science.
- Full Use of the IBBA Website *
* Applies to certain categories only. See Membership Levels, Benefits and Definitions matrix for details)
The resource that provides the most current compilation of recent research and cutting edge techniques available. Membership entitles you to access to all members-only areas. The IBBA Website is a valuable tool to use to keep up on the technical and business aspects of the butterfly breeding industry.
The Butterfly Family List and IBBA Mailing List are monetarily supported by the IBBA. The Butterfly Family List provides amateurs and those just contemplating breeding as a profession an opportunity to give and receive general information. The IBBA Mailing list (members only) provides a professional forum to exchange ideas with other experts as well as conduct business with other IBBA professionals.
- Advertising to Prospective Clients and Fellow Members
As a member you receive additional business exposure on the web via the IBBA Website. Your products are displayed and a link to your business is provided. Widespread exposure of the IBBA Website on the Internet and through major search engines provides your business with a vital link to prospective clients.
- IBBA's Ask-a-Mentor Program
The "experts" in the business provide you with a wide variety of tips, techniques, and strategies to help you develop your breeding skills and business expertise. You are kept up to date with new techniques and tips to make your life easier and more interesting. These on-line topics are provided to members only. Topics have included: Creating a Butterfly Habitat, Winterizing Your Income, Raising/Breeding Tips, Monarch Disease Control, Outdoor Exhibits, Business Advertising, Managing Your Inventory, and MUCH more.
The annual convention has become a place to learn as well a place to get to know and socialize with other breeders from around the world. Although cost of the convention is not totally covered by IBBA dues, preparations and plans are a continuing process throughout the year for the IBBA board, committees, and volunteers.
- Permit Information Center
This website section contains comments and explanations about regulations relating to butterfly breeding and butterfly releases. The IBBA strives to help members stay current with state and federal laws and requirements for shipping butterflies for release to the environment.
- A WORKING Board of Directors
A Board of Directors reflecting and working on your concerns. The major goal of the board is to ensure that butterfly and moth breeders are able to continue their profession by providing a forum for professional development while working within a sensible and science-based regulatory environment. The board oversees the organization and its committees to achieve this goal within the framework of a non-profit trade association. Currently there are nine elected board members who volunteer their time and effort for the IBBA without monetary compensation.
The IBBA is a non-profit trade association accountable to its members. Our specifically written bylaws protect your interests as a member as well as protecting and developing the industry as a whole.
The IBBA Board of Directors has a knowledgeable and experienced Advisory Board, which provides consultation and direction to the board on a variety of scientific and business issues. Members of the Advisory Board come from all walks of life and provide a diverse range of opinions on a diverse range of issues considered by the IBBA Board.
- Expert Scientific Documentation
The IBBA is proud and privileged to have a group of contributing scientists that provide their knowledge, opinions, and evidence in support of our industry. These scientists have been instrumental in establishing our responses to unsupported anti-release statements.
- Political Action Representation
As professionals, we are all aware that we are regulated by state and federal entities such as the USDA, Agriculture departments, etc. A major job of the IBBA Political Action Committee is to ensure that agency officials, politicians, and the public hear the voice of the industry. The IBBA PAC serves as a watchdog group to safeguard against old and new threats to your right to market butterflies for release. This work is essential to the survival of our profession and our businesses. Under the umbrella of the PAC, various committees, task teams, and individuals work on specific issues. These include:
- PAC Task Team To Identify State Agencies
This group spends many hours in identifying contact names, addresses, telephone numbers, and other contact information for all agencies that may possibly have authority over butterfly releases and providing this information to members.
- Freedom of Information Act Access
The IBBA continues to insist that regulations and policy are based on sound science and research. The IBBA continually requests Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) documents from the USDA and other agencies that provide insight into the "why" and "how" of regulations and policy effecting breeders. When science is lacking and evidence is sketchy, the IBBA actively challenges these policies and regulations and the agencies that make them. The IBBA has been successful in this area by having some of these policies and regulations changed in favor of butterfly breeders.
- Expanding Visibility of the Industry
Butterfly breeding professionals, their businesses, and the industry overall are gaining considerable visibility through the efforts of the IBBA. IBBA representatives have participated in a number of public forums in print, television, radio, and Internet media and continue to do so at an ever-increasing level. Our ideas and concerns are also heard in other places such as the annual meeting of the Entomological Association of America, Monarch Butterfly conferences, local and state public meetings, and other venues.
The IBBA organizes and supports letter writing campaigns to address issues at the core of our profession. One past campaign resulted in a very successful response to proposed changes to USDA regulations that could severely restrict or eliminate butterfly and moth transport and release.
The Wings of Hope program gives IBBA members the opportunity to adopt a service organization, hospital, or other organization in their community and donate their time, livestock or both. The program provides seriously ill or at-risk individuals and their families an opportunity to encounter and learn about butterflies in addition to providing encouragement and hope. The program provides members with a significant public relations value, but more importantly members have expressed that the program gives them much more than money can buy!
- Numerous Volunteers and Groups Working for YOU
Membership Committee, Publications, Public Relations, Education, Scientific Research and Finance Committee and more.
Interested? Click HERE to find out how to join.
