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Background |
| The
aim of the Soft Furnishing Industry Association
is to encourage and promote excellence in workmanship
for curtain and blind manufacturers, suppliers and
retailers. |
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| The
Association is committed to developing the standards
and professionalism of the industry and to promoting
to consumers the benefits of using its Members for
superior customer service, quality assurance and
peace of mind. |
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| Members
of the SFIA are dedicated to providing the highest
standards possible in materials, design, manufacture
and reliability and share a genuine interest in
the future and integrity of the industry. |
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| SFIA
represents manufacturers and suppliers, wholesale
and retail outlets for curtains, blinds, awnings
and soft furnishings, interior designers, decorators
and architects, importers and exporters, installers,
and education agencies. |
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Benefits
of Membership |
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Recognition of being a Member of a national
body dedicated to quality assurance and setting
high standards of workmanship.
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Ability to promote yourself to customers as
a member of an Association dedicated to setting
and delivering high standards of workmanship.
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Use of the SFIA logo on all promotional materials,
letterhead, business cards and advertising.
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Your business contact details and description
will be individually listed on the SFIA website’s
“List of Members” together with
a direct link to your own website (if you have
one). This is a valuable aid to customers searching
for their nearest quality supplier/retailer.
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Promotion and consumer awareness-raising of
the benefits of using SFIA members on a state
and national level.
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Access to display and promotional products to
assist your business e.g. annual Certificate
of Membership, brochures, posters, consumer
and trade publications, window decals, national
and state websites.
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Access to the SFIA Consumer Complaints Service
to assist in the arbitration and resolution
of consumer complaints.
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Opportunity to attend regular seminars and workshops
covering a range of relevant topics within the
industry e.g. new safety standards, installation
standards, new products, measuring and calculating,
sales, customer service etc.
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Representation on the State Furnishings Industry
Training Council.
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The development of officially recognised training
programs, in conjunction with TAFE, to encourage
trainees and younger people into the industry
including the Soft Furnishings Certificate Course
(Trade Level).
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Easy access to Care Labels.
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Access to the Encyclopaedia of Window Fashions
and other excellent trade publications not generally
available to non-members.
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Regular updates on new local and international
products and tools that are or will soon be
available to members.
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Regular National Bulletins and State Newsletters
to keep you up to date on latest developments,
issues, and events relevant to your business.
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Representation, interface and industry credibility
with Dept. of Consumer Affairs, government and
statutory bodies, and industry groups.
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Who
Is The SFIA? |
| The
Soft Furnishings Industry Association of Australia
is made up of five State Associations and an Honorary
National Board comprising of two delegates from
each State Association with an elected National
President and Secretary. |
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| Each
State Body is made up of elected Committee Members
who are practitioners from within the soft furnishing
industry and are representative of most aspects
of the industry. Committee members are nominated
and voted in each year at the State Body’s
annual general meeting. Any current member of the
SFIA is welcome to nominate themselves for the Committee
or task groups. |
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| The
Association offer Membership to wholesalers, manufacturers,
retailers, decorators and individuals in the soft
furnishings industry that operate a bone fide registered
business out of official business premises. |
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| Membership
in most States is based on the Financial Year with
membership fees set by each State body. A Membership
Certificate, Code of Ethics and window decal are
issued to all Members upon renewal or joining. |
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| Members
agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and adopt the
Industry Standards for manufacture, installation
and care labelling. |
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| To
maintain the integrity of the Association, members
who are deemed not to meet or uphold the Code of
Ethics and Industry Standards will have their membership
rescinded and their membership will not be renewed
until they can demonstrate that their standards
have improved. |
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Membership
Criteria |
| Current
and potential members of the SFIA must: |
- Be
a Registered Business with Registered Number
and/or ACN.
- Be
earning a livelihood by manufacturing or selling
soft furnishings or fabrics or other related
items.
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Comply with the Soft Furnishings Industry Association
Code of Ethics and maintain Soft Furnishings
Association standards of quality and professionalism.
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Must have an investment in tools of trade to
maintain a professional standards e.g. samples,
machines, tools etc.
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Code
of Ethics |
| To
Serve my customers by fostering
a reputation for honesty and integrity. |
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| To
Serve my customers by fostering
a reputation for honesty and integrity. |
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| To
Improve my knowledge of the soft
furnishings industry and promote the aims of the
Association to all who come into contact with my
business. |
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| To
Abide by the rules and regulations
of the Association as set out from time to time. |
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Membership
Application |
| Membership
Application forms for the Soft Furnishings Association
of Victoria can be obtained by calling SFIAV on
(03) 9755 5965 or from the Victorian section of
the national website found at:www.sfiaa.org.au.
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