Anybody belong to a local chapter of the NHA? I’m curious, because before I got into the business, I lived in a community where the local chapter was an active group who seemed to do a fine job of promoting the services of their members. They arranged a little better deal for members for matl’s at the local yards, made an effort to get the member’s business names front and center in the community and kept a pretty good eye on local construction opportunities and offered venues for training of members and employees about new building methods, codes, safety materials, etc,
Where I am now, the local chapter seems to be mostly a clique that focuses most of its effort toward putting together a local Home Show to raise money for itself, then, when the show is over, crawl back into its cave until next year. Several builders and a couple of businesses I deal with have joined, tried to prod the group in a positive direction and then bowed out when “the good ole boys” mentality prevailed.
While I stay busy enough without the help of such an organization, I can visualize the potential benefits of membership if the group is progressive.
Anybody have any comment?
Jules Quaver for President 2004
Replies
Member here, it's what you make of it, like so many other things I suppose. I put a lot of faith in individual motivation. It can be political and clique-ish, or with a few decent old hands with some good ideas, it can be beneficial to many. Our laurels, the second largest Remodelers Council in the US and our city pop is only about 130,000. First guy in the state to get CAPS certified here. About 10% of us are CGR (not me yet). This place needs good ideas too. We have a lot of revolving door issues - they see the group, think this will get their business to grow like mad just by joining, and when it doesn't pan out, they leave after a year. But it's the people that get involved and stay that way that benefit, and then the people they do business with start to benefit, and on and on. If you fancy yourself a self motivating leadership type, you could be the guy to turn around a sluggish chapter, if not, then you're just another head in the crowd. I vote lead. If you want some suggestions from here, email me and I'll throw out what I can conjure.
" You are young, my son, and as the years go by time will change and even reverse many of your present opinions. Refrain therefore awhile from setting yourself up as a judge of the highest matters." - Plato
member of RIBA since '75... great contacts.. it is what you make of it though... i got a lot out of it in the beginning.. now i stay to help othersMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore