On this page you will find information on how and why to become a member, a copy of our bylaws membership applications, and information on Flower Week. Check it out!
MFA is the Montana Florists Association. It was established so that all florists around the Northwest could network with each other, discuss the floral industry and learn new techniques in floral design with the hope to be more profitable. MFA consists of 7 Board members and a past President that are elected every year at the annual convention. This Board is volunteer and meets twice a year. MFA has an Annual Convention that provides attendees top notch designers and business speakers to share the best ideas in the floral industry. Included on this page are forms for new membership and annual dues.
First you fill out an application. When applying you have a payment of $40.00. The Board then votes on your application. Then every January the Treasurer sends an invoice for that years dues for $30.00.
1. Education: MFA sponsors seminars, workshops, and design clinics around the state for it's members
2. Sharing: MFA members from across the Northwest can share problems and solutions-what works and what doesn't
3. Good Will: MFA was formed to promote a spirit of cooperation and good will among its members
4. Exchange: MFA members can fully exchange views and ideas on subjects ranging from shop management to greenhouse growing
5. Promotion: MFA's purpose is to promote and encourage the sale of floral and plant products
6. Quality: MFA strives to maintain a membership of florists and floral dealers dedicated to excellence
7. Flower Week: MFA will pay for you to give away 50 carnations as you chose
8. Benefits: MFA members receive discounted registration fees for convention, quarterly newsletters, discounted advertisement on the MFA web site, a copy of the MFA Bylaws, and a member pamphlet
"I belong to MFA because of the educational opportunities it provides to all the florists in our rural state. The workshops are practical and tailored to us and our needs in Montana."
Don Hazen, Riverview Floral and Greenhouse, Fort Benton
"The Montana Florists Association is dedicated to helping me and my business succeed. I can't imagine not belonging!"
Steve Liebmann, Langohr's Flowerland, Bozeman
If you would like a copy of the Bylaws, please click here.
Application For Retail Floral Shops Voting Membership
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Four years ago the MFA voted to have Flower Week and has since voted to continue it as an yearly promotion. This promotion is a member only promotion. In September, MFA will pay for the first 50 carnations that a member orders from our wholesalers for you to give out as good will in your community. These carnations come with a card that you can include thanking them for making Montana a better place to live. This card can be tailored to read Washington or Wyoming. MFA will pay out of state wholesalers the same amount for your 50 carnations that we pay our wholesalers. This promotion can be an all in-store promotion or you can deliver them to teachers, doctors, firefighters, etc. This is totally up to you how you want your shop to participate. This promotion has been a success for the shops that have participated in it. Flowers By Hanson and Woodland Floral have turned this promotion into an annual event in Kalispell. It is hard to believe that a single carnation can do so much.
This coming year Flower Week will be September 6th through the 10th, 2010. You will receive a press release, a print logo, and inventory sheet that you can keep for your own records. It is up to you to send out the press release to your local TV, Radio Stations, and Newspapers. This promotional material will come by mail.
If you are out of state you will have to send MFA a copy of your 50 carnations to Ted Byers to pay. You will also have to request your cards from MFA directly so do so early so that you will have them on time.
MFA local wholesalers are Roses and More and Missouri River and they will send cards with the carnations to all members that participate. (If you do not use these two local wholesalers, order your carnations from your wholesaler of choice and send the bill to MFA for reimbursement.)
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You can have fun with this event and what is better than fun. If you are a paid member watch the mail in September and start thinking about who you would like to give the free carnations to, it is all up to you!!!!