Core Services

• Support that helps them run more profitable business.
  
• Effective representation for the sector's interests at all levels of the legislative and regulatory process
  
• Support to proactively improve the sector's competitiveness
• Best Practice information and advice to members
  
• Good public relations and communications to the Government, Public and others.

Additional Services that may be provided

• Support if applicable to boost exports and take advantage other market opportunities
  
• Help on training and education
  
• Assistance that promote standards and product/service quality.
  
• Stimulus to Promote innovation and technology transfer
  
• Goods and services that take advantage of the economies of scale.
  
• Commercial discounts with suppliers
  
• Codes of practice that help companies demonstrate good practice with their consumers.
  
• Adjudication, ombudsman and dispute resolution services for the public and member to member
  
• Help to negotiate industry wide terms and conditions.

Forum members aspire to ensure that their associations:

Are Legitimate

• Are recognised by companies and government as representing a discreet sector
  
• Have a Governing council that includes representatives from across the sector and meets sufficiently regularly to direct action/strategy

Are Effective

• Adopt best practices.
  
• Are professional and ethical in approach, attracting and retaining high calibre staff and pulling in services of high level people from member companies for representation and policy development purposes when necessary
  
• Have a business plan which sets out the association mission, a clear strategy and priority areas - developed in consultation with members.
  
• Make best and appropriate use of information technology to minimise costs and improve quality of services to members

Are Progressive

• Promote co-operation within the sector, and between the sector, its customers and suppliers, to enhance international competitiveness
  
• Form appropriate links with other representative bodies, to ensure that services are supplied to members with the minimum of duplication, and in the most effective manner.
  
• Are prepared where appropriate to work with non-members and co-operate with other associations in allied sectors on matters of joint concern

  It is accepted that the circumstances of each sector may vary, and it may not be appropriate for all associations to fulfil all of these characteristics
  --
  editor