Omaha home builders assoc. cuts ties with national and state

[Rick Hoge]

Thought this is interesting.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100911/MONEY/709119881

[jstoddard]

More than just interesting Rick - this is an ominous - somewhat terrifying - sign of things to come.

I've been afraid this would happen since the crash. If National (and State) NAHB doesn't start doing a better job making its members understand the value it delivers to its local chapters, I'm afraid we're going to see a lot more defection and it will devastate the national organization. Every time I've spoken at a local HBA, I've been shocked at the disconnect. They know the national is out there - they know about IBS. They might even know about BuilderBooks. But they don't see where their dues to national are doing much of anything for them on the ground.

This goes way back - long before the latest boom-bust cycle. I've spoken to a couple of the VPs in the national organization about it and I get the vague "yes we know we have an issue and we're working on it" - but that's as far as it ever goes.

Example: BuilderBooks. They're sitting on a warehouse full of books that are not selling and are just gathering dust/growing mold. I've suggested a number of times --"why don't we create "starter libraries" for any HBA that wants one... give 'em a copy of every single book BuilderBook sells, for a very nominal fee.. or free. Charge enough to cover our COST (not retail) on the books that are selling--- and be glad we no longer have to store the ones that aren't .

This would give National a reason to contact each and every HBA at least a couple of times. Learn who the officers are. Find out what they need. Help them make use of their new library.

Well... this has been brought up every year at board meetings for at least the past five years. Guess what's being done about it...

The same thing is happening (or not happening) in every nook and cranny of NAHB national. There small stuff they have and do - books, best practices guides, etc. are what would convince the locals it's worth the 25% of their dues (or whatever it is). That dues revenue then is what funds what NAHB does of REAL value to all builders - the lobby /political efforts .

JLS

[Ohiobuilder]

Thats a good idea with the books Joe.

Because I stay involved I see what the Hba is doing for me at a local, state and national level. We are having the same issues at the local level and are working to do a better job of explaining or educating our membership of what the Hba is doing for them. Our membership revenue is what drives our association and gaining and keeping members is an ongoing issue.

To make matters worse National is getting ready to raise dues.

[Stacey]

Joe,
You missed one more layer of HBA. The state level. There are local HBA's, then state, then the national. Talk about disconnect. Local HBA's are supporting 2 layers of overhead. I don't know how many of them will continue to do survive.

I like your book idea. At our HBA office we don't have a set but we should. Especially if they are trying to get anyone to pass the CGR or CBR or other certifications.

[Scrapr]

Here in Oregon our State HBA does a ton in the legislature. They earn every bit they get. Just keeping members out of trouble.