A History and Explanation of The Iowa Quality Center
Formed in 1993, the Woods Quality Center began as a shared vision of a total quality environment for the entire community, including business and industry, schools, government, nonprofit organizations, labor unions, and the service and retail industries.
The name was changed in 2001 to the Iowa Quality Center as a result of a new state-wide focus. Today, Iowa Quality Center (IQC) has over 180 member organizations with more than 48,000 individual members. Members represent all sectors of the community including government, manufacturing, business, education, labor, retail, service, and health care. Though IQC staff is based in Marion, its networking groups, consultation and membership activities take place throughout the State of Iowa.
The annual membership fee ranges from $50 to $3,000 per year, and is based on the number of full and part- time employees an organization has. Membership is also available to individuals, with a special rate for students. From the general membership, individuals are invited to serve on the Iowa Quality Center Advisory Council. This board provides input from local businesses. Specialty committees include: Networks, Conference, Finance & Budgeting, Membership Development, Education & Programs, Public Relations, Iowa Team Excellence Achievement of Merit, and Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence.
Membership Services include:
- Networking groups which meet monthly and/or quarterly, and represent a cross-section of the membership. Areas discussed at the meetings include: Quality Systems/ISO 9000, Malcolm Baldrige Criteria, High Performance Work Systems &Teams, Quality Learning, LEAN Enterprise Action Network, and most recently, Six Sigma.
- A multimedia resource library that includes the complete Deming Library Series and other current, up-to-date books, videos and audio tapes.
- A monthly newsletter featuring IQC activities and local quality initiatives.
- Classes, seminars and workshops.
- The fall conference, featuring keynote and breakout sessions by local and national quality experts.
- Special Events, such as CEO breakfasts, tours of nearby plants and businesses, and quality celebrations.
- Member discounts on all training and conference opportunities.
