The Virginia Ship Repair Association ( VSRA ) is a regional trade association representing companies engaged in, or supporting, the ship repair industry in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. Its mission is to focus and coordinate member resources on issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the ship repair industry in Virginia and across the nation. The Virginia Ship Repair Association had its origin in 1979. Corporate officers of the individual private sector shipyards in south Hampton Roads jointly established a training facility named the Tidewater Maritime Training Institute ( TMTI ). The Institute was incorporated in 1981 as a non-profit, tax exempt, educational institution ( IRS 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) ). TMTI was founded to provide training for the ship repair industry in Hampton Roads, Virginia. In 2006, TMTI changed its name to the Virginia Ship Repair Foundation ( VSRF ) whose mission is to attract more qualified workers to the ship repair industry and help member companies improve their incumbent worker qualifications. VSRF directly supports the Virginia Ship Repair Association. In 1984 recognizing that there was a need for a regional association of ship repair yards to address other mutual concerns, the same corporate shipyards organized and incorporated the South Tidewater Association of Ship Repairers, Inc ( STASR ) as a non-profit, tax exempt trade association ( IRS 501 ( c ) ( 6 ) ). Membership was extended to ship repair sub-contractors, suppliers and support service companies. By early 2004, the association had grown to over 160 member companies from all over the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as near-by states. In 2005, the name of the association was changed to the Virginia Ship Repair Association to better reflect the geography and business focus of its members. VSRA represents approximately 160 member companies whose combined businesses have an economic impact in the Hampton Roads area on: 30, 000 jobs, $1.2 billion in annual sales and $941 million in employee earnings. VSRA Board of Directors meetings are held monthly followed by a lunch meeting with the general membership. The Chairman of the VSRA Board and the VSRA Committee Chairs report to the general membership at the monthly meeting. VSRA standing committees are: The VSRA Chairman of the Board appoints Committee Chairs. Standing committee meetings are open to all members. Member companies are strongly encouraged to participate in committee meetings and activities. Typically, committee members are men and women whose experience relates to the committees on which they serve; therefore, they bring a great deal of knowledge and best practices to the table to share with others and help improve our industry, in general. The committees meet monthly, work closely with various agencies, discuss mutual concerns, and recommend positions on industry issues to the VSRA Board when appropriate. Each VSRA company, once approved by the Board of Directors, receives "Member Only" access to the private side of the association website where the following can be viewed: You will also receive, by mail, a printed copy of the association by-laws. Your company's name, address, phone & fax numbers, email & web addresses, a description of your business, and a point of contact for your company are listed within the VSRA web site at www.VirginiaShipRepair.org. To join VSRA, an application form must be submitted to the VSRA office, along with a one-time application fee of $250.00. Annual membership dues are based upon the membership category of the company. The Membership Categories are defined as: Ship Repair Sub-Contractor ( Annual Dues - $2, 000 ) - A company that performs ship repair but does not meet the criterion of a Large Ship Repairer or a Ship Repairer. Each member company has their designated representatives present at the general membership monthly lunch meeting; however, member company guests may also be invited. For further information, contact the VSRA at 233-