Membership (Builder of the Year)

by Joel Barkman

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) exists to represent the building industry by serving its members and affiliated state and local builders associations. Based in Washington, D.C., its mission is to enhance the climate for housing and the building industry.

Chief among NAHB's goals is providing and expanding for all consumers to have safe, decent and affordable housing. As "the voice of America's housing industry," NAHB helps promote government policies that will keep housing a national priority.

Last month NAHB's National Membership day on May 25, Federation members and local associations were undeterred by the tough housing market and recruited 4,379 new members and council members.

"Membership is the lifeblood of this organization and this day is like our annual transfusion," said Ann Garvey, chair of the NAHB Membership Committee. "It's a big boost, something the locals are drawn to and push in their own regions. It's the cornerstone of our recruiting efforts."

Membership Day, the capstone event of a month-long nationwide campaign by Home Builder Associations (HBA) and members are supported at the state and national levels, and is NAHB's single most important annual activity to spur membership growth.

North Carolina and Tennessee - with 448 and 341 new members, respectively - were the two most productive states during the recruitment drive. South Carolina and Virginia rounded out the top four.

The highest-recruiting local HBAs were the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association in South Carolina, which added 125 new members, and the Memphis Area Home Builders Association, Tenn., which recruited 113 members.

"This is the fourth time I have volunteered on Membership Day, and it's always great - our membership drive is extremely important," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones. "We are happy to get calls from locals with many new members. But we are equally pleased if someone called even with a single new member. It all added up to a great day during tough times."

Our local chapter in Fauquier is always working to recruit new members. We worked all last month and we haven't slowed down yet as several potential new members and affiliates were invited to last week's Fauquier Chapter meeting of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA), where county Supervisors discussed some of what's in store for us.

As the chapter president my tenure is almost up, but I am proud to have seen our local chapter flourish. Membership is critical of course and NVBIA membership has supported the state association in four legislative initiatives during the 2010 Virginia General Assembly.

All four legislative proposals found wide acceptance from delegates and senators around the Commonwealth and all four bills have been signed into law by Governor McDonnell. Each bill has an effective date of July 1, 2010.

It is also important to note, that no anti-housing legislation passed the Virginia General Assembly this year, which will help out ailing economy move forward with a few less obstacles. In all, about 850 pieces of legislation were approved by the General Assembly this year.

NAHB's various groups analyze policy issues, take the industry's story to the public through the media and other outlets, monitor and work toward improving the housing finance system, and analyze and forecast economic and consumer trends.

They also provide a wide range of services to members and Home Builder Associations. The association also represents the industry's interests on Capitol Hill and strives to ensure that housing remains a national priority when laws are made and policies are established. NAHB also works with federal agencies on regulations affecting the housing industry in areas such as mortgage finance, codes, energy and the environment.

Perhaps most important, NAHB stands for you - the homeowner. By educating the public and advocating your rights one of my main objectives is to protect the value of homes by promoting quality and service. Our members receive the best training in the country and are held to a standard of excellence and it shows.

This past week NVBIA celebrated all of our existing members and especially our newest members at the annual membership rally in Fairfax. At this year's event, and on behalf of my team at Golden Rule Builders, I proudly accepted the builder of the year award for the Northern Virginia region. I'd like to take this time thank all of the members of our local chapter in Fauquier and all of our sponsors - for your support and dedication. I am so proud to have served alongside of you.

I would also like to thank the many clients who have invited me into their homes and lives over the past 21 years. I am so proud to have served you and your families and I am honored to continue to do so. Thank you.

For this special week, when it comes to being humbled and extremely proud at the same time, "Just Ask a Builder."

As always e-mail your questions or comments to joel@goldenrulebuilders.com or write to "Ask a Builder" at P.O. box 294, Catlett, VA 20119.

Barkman is past president of the Fauquier Chapter of The Northern Virginia Building Industry Association.

Read Joel's column weekly in the