Reasons to Participate in the National Advocacy Partnership Program (NAPP)
The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) fills a unique and critical place as the advocacy organization leading the farm-grown Christmas tree industry’s public policy/governmental affairs representation and the many other duties NCTA undertakes to advance the industry.
To sustain NCTA, we need support from the state and regional associations every year through their National Advocacy Partnership Program (NAPP) dues. NAPP, formerly called the TIP program, was renamed by the NCTA leadership to align its name more accurately with how the funds are used by NCTA to advocate for the real Christmas tree industry.
Many of the services provided by NCTA benefit all growers, whether they are NCTA members or not. Including advocating on behalf of the industry in Washington, D.C., serving as the “Voice of the Industry” with consumers and the media during the holiday season, presenting the official White House Christmas tree to the First Lady, and providing leadership and education regarding farm-grown Christmas trees with fire officials.
We know some growers don’t understand the importance of NCTA’s unique and critical role as the advocacy organization leading public policy/governmental affairs for the Christmas tree industry – a role the Real Christmas Tree Board is prohibited from fulfilling because of its checkoff funding and USDA oversight. We trust that the leadership of the state and regional associations understand how important NCTA’s success is for the industry to have its best possible future.
In our role as spokesperson for the industry, we manage hundreds of inquiries from the media about issues of importance to the industry. We can correct misinformation and disseminate positive messages that are used in hundreds of media articles each year. The topics of media interest have included the “shortage” of real Christmas trees, prices, Millennials’ interest in real Christmas trees, Christmas tree production, the environmental impact of real and fake trees, the Christmas tree business, recycling Christmas trees, bugs in Christmas trees, mold, allergies, fires, and pet issues resulting from a real Christmas tree. Matters of critical importance to all Christmas tree growers.
NCTA’s goal is to ensure that the farm-grown Christmas tree industry continues to thrive for many years to come. It is with that goal in mind that we hope your association will commit to supporting our industry by being a part of the National Advocacy Partnership Program
Simply put, your NAPP partnership with NCTA says, “Our state is part of a dedicated community of Christmas tree growers who share in supporting and advancing the future of the industry.”
National Advocacy Partnership Program (NAPP) Fact Sheet
Q: What is the NAPP program?
A: NAPP began as the Tree Industry Partnership (TIP) which was started in 1995 as a way to work together with state/ regional associations to protect and advocate on behalf of the real tree industry. Initially, state association members were asked to assess their members for $25, the retail price of one tree at that time.
Since then, TIP contributions have been used to fund a variety of industry programs, including consumer and industry research, holiday safety education, legislative and regulatory efforts, environmental action, the White House tree presentation, and more. While the number of threats facing the real tree industry has increased over the years, the program dues of $25 per state association member have not increased. Recently the NCTA board has renamed the program the National Advocacy Partnership Program (NAPP) so that its name better reflects how NCTA invests the funds from the partnership.
Q: Does my state participate in NAPP? If not, how can we get involved?
A: As of 2013, 21 state/regional associations support TIP through their annual contributions of $25 per member. They are: California, Kansas, Missouri, South Carolina, Florida, Maine, Nebraska, Southern Georgia, Maryland, New Hampshire/Vermont, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, Minnesota, Pacific Northwest, Wisconsin, Iowa.
New NAPP members are always welcome! A state/regional association may join the NAPP program at any time by contacting NCTA.
Q: What do we receive in return for our participation in NAPP?
A: NAPP helps fund valuable protection and advocacy work that could not be easily accomplished on a local level. NAPP’s efforts to improve and maintain fair fire codes, support legislation and regulations conducive to the growth of small businesses and our industry, combat misinformation about farm-grown Christmas trees, and conduct industry research benefit ALL Christmas tree professionals. In addition, each state association member in a participating NAPP state receives the following benefits:
- A FREE basic listing (wholesale or retail) on the NCTA Tree Locator at http://www.christmastree.org.
- The option of upgrading to an enhanced listing for $15/year and adding a weblink for $25/year.
- Discounted subscription rate for the National Christmas Tree Journal.
All NAPP members are also invited to receive additional benefits by becoming a full member of the NCTA through an Industry or Professional membership. These benefits include a complimentary subscription to the Journal and other publications, a listing in the Membership Directory, and more. For more information on NCTA membership, please contact NCTA or register online.
Q: What are our obligations as a participating NAPP state/regional association?
A: Each participating state/regional association is asked to submit $25 per member and provide NCTA with a current member list annually to ensure its members receive all of their TIP benefits. (Reminders are sent to each state/regional association executive and their NCTA Directors each year.)
The need for a recognized nationwide real Christmas tree community – with the desire to have its voice heard – has never been stronger. The more voices we have working together, the more we can accomplish.
Thank you to all of our participating NAPP states/regional associations and their members for their ongoing support!