ICA Creates Junior Membership Category

New York – In an effort to reach out to the new generation of colored stone miners, cutters and dealers, the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) has created a Junior Membership category for members of the colored stone community under 30. The change to the Association’s by-laws was proposed during the recent Congress 2003 in Jaipur, India.
"Membership in ICA is not inexpensive, as befits an important and prestigious international association,” says recently-elected ICA President Joseph Menzie, president of Joseph M. Menzie Inc., New York. "But many young people starting out in business don’t have the money to spare to join industry organizations that could benefit them greatly in terms of education and networking. For this reason, the ICA Board felt that the Association should extend itself to help young people in the industry by waiving the initiation fee of $500 and halving the usual annual dues of $600.
"But,” he adds, "we’re not being entirely altruistic; ICA expects in turn to receive from these young men and women an infusion not just of new blood, but of new ideas and a fresh outlook.”

The By-laws amendment reads:

Junior Members
Persons under the age of 30 as of 31 December who qualify as regular members or association members may, if they so choose, apply for membership in this class. For this class of membership the entrance fee shall be waived, and dues shall be 50% of that for the other two membership classes. Persons applying for junior membership status shall designate whether they wish to be Junior Regular or Junior Associate Members. Election and probation shall be the same as for the regular and associate members. The year the junior member attains the age of 30, the dues requirements shall revert to those of the other membership classes.