The Arizona Jewelers Association (AJA) is a, non-proft, affiliate of Jewelers of America (JA), the largest retail trade organization (also non-profit) for jewelers in the United States. The AJA is committed to the education of both consumers and trade professionals, as well as to promoting the highest standards in social, ethical, and environmental standards within the Arizona Jewelry Trade.[678]

The AJA's history is clouded as the former members and founders of the organization have either moved on, or passed away. This page, in part, is an attempt to collect all of the information current and past that is available about this group. For example, it is generally believed that the AJA was formed in 1950, but this information cannot be verified as the original documentation for the organization has been lost.

While it is generally know that the AJA was once active during the 1980s (and maybe even earlier) and through the early years of the 90's supposed dis-interest and problems with the board, both from within and without, caused a massive dropout in membership. Only in the last few years under the direction of the President, Scott Bohall, new members of the AJA board, and the new Executive Director, Carolyn Baca, has the AJA experienced a resurgence of activity in its efforts to once again promote education, ethics, and leadership.

Board of Directors

The AJA leadership consists of a Board with a President presiding, a number of board members, and a non-voting Executive Director. The AJA is a non-profit organization with the Executive Director being the only paid position.

The current President is Scott Bohall, and the Executive Director is Carolyn Baca. [679]

AJA Mission Statement

The Arizona Jewelers Association (AJA) is an affiliate of Jewelers of America (JA), the largest retail trade organization for jewelers in the United States. Jewelers of America is both a center of knowledge for the jeweler and the leading advocate for high social, ethical, and environmental standards in the jewelry trade. The AJA's mission is thus to promote the ethics of the JA throughout the state of Arizona, as well as to provide education to the jewelry consumer and the trade professional. The AJA, on a statewide level, provides access to meaningful educational programs and services, leadership in public and industry affairs, and encourage members to act in their and the industry's best interests.[680]

Recent Events

The AJA is experiencing a resurgence in both it's membership and activity. Its latest convention had the highest attendence and brought in more new members than any of its conventions in the past ten years.

The AJA launched it's new website on August 12th, 2006 at it's annual convention. The website will act as a hub for both membership activities (forums, news, security, and education information), as well as, a consumer education section, and a state-wide AJA jeweler search function.

Copyright

Permission to post copyrighted material owned by the AJA (the Introduction and the Mission Statement), is granted to the author(s) of this wikipedia entry by the original author of these works under the Fair Use Guidelines.

Permission to change the materials provided (The Introduction and The Mission Statement) is not granted.

External Links

The Arizona Jewelers Association

Jewelers of America

California Jewelers Association