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Permalink Reply by Sara Gaffney on June 4, 2010 at 7:13pm

I have been a member of IVAA for two years. They offer different things. Access to forms used in the VA industry, very active forum, discounts with certain vendors, job postings, mentoring, discount to IVAA's yearly conference and free weekly webinars on topics that pertain to the VA industry. Access to experience VA's to get answers to questions about almost anything you can think of.

I found it very beneficial to belong to their organization when I first started out. They provide a wealth of information and you feel you belong to a professional organization.

VANetworking is also a good organization to join. It's free and they offer free webinars and have a very active forum.

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Permalink Reply by Joel D Canfield on June 4, 2010 at 8:45pm

Sara, that's excellent info. Knowing someone I respect has gotten value tells me quite a bit about the organisation; thanks!

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Permalink Reply by USA Virtual Assistants on June 7, 2010 at 2:21pm

Hello there! I just joined a few months ago. In addition to all of the values Sara mentioned...I have received calls from by business listing on their site! Actually, within the first week I received a call. It seems to be going well so far!

As for the VA Networking...that is very good for educational purposes! I have learned so much from the other VA's on that site. Not having the best of luck with the Forum's though! I got blocked out for not accepting the terms, then I accepted them, and I am still blocked out months later.

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Permalink Reply by Joel D Canfield on June 7, 2010 at 2:32pm

Howdy! (Is that Amanda?)

So, it sounds like businesses looking for VAs might take IVAA seriously, which is a good thing to know.

Did the calls turn into work?

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Permalink Reply by Toni Reintke on July 1, 2010 at 9:38pm

I too joined IVAA in April, they have been an excellent resource in trainimg, guidance and networking. I attended their live annual conference and it was extremely well done. I have attended their online webinars - again, excellent. They have a weekly coffeechat online which is also
very good. I have been an educator for almost twenty years and was very impressed with IVAA.

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Permalink Reply by Joel D Canfield on July 1, 2010 at 10:06pm

Toni, thanks for sharing that. If they impress an educator, that's a good endorsement.

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Permalink Reply by Dawn Pigoni on July 4, 2010 at 9:40am

One thing about IVAA that I wish I would have known about when I first started, is you can get web hosting with your membership. That would have been worth the fee - had I known.

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Permalink Reply by Joel D Canfield on July 4, 2010 at 9:52am

What are the details of the hosting? I'd love to compare it to my favorite hosting company.

It's odd to me that benefits like that aren't clearly spelled out at their website.

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