Dear members,
Our association stands strong on four pillars: advocacy, networking, education and charity.
We usually think of advocacy in terms of the industry and we are committed to active involvement to prevent proposed legislation and changes in regulations that would adversely affect the construction industry and to promote initiatives that are favorable to it.
This summer, I witnessed a different type of advocacy.
Your association delegates and NEFBA staff went to great lengths advocating on behalf of your association and you, its members.
In July, NEFBA members attended the Southeast Building Conference, hosted by the Florida Home Builders Association in Kissimmee.
More than 35 members gathered for the NEFBA family dinner, which is always a great opportunity for members to get better acquainted.
SEBC was also an occasion of attending to association-related business and state and national association issues.
A critical issue was the scheduled 2017 increase in dues by the National Association of Home Builders.
Our team of members and staff participated in the FHBA board of directors meeting. We led the successful effort to pass an FHBA resolution opposing the increase.
In early August, we carried the resolution to the midyear meeting of the NAHB board of directors in Miami.
We collaborated with the Michigan state association and FHBA leaders to oppose the NAHB dues increase.
Despite opposition from NAHB’s Budget and Finance Committee, we were successful in convincing the full board to approve a vote at next year’s International Builders Show in January to suspend the increase for one year.
I personally thank Jerry Dean, Rick Morales, Lee Arsenault, Greg Matovina, Ron Harris and Corey Deal for their tireless, relentless efforts on behalf of the association and our members.
You can be proud of the team work of our NEFBA members and their ability to partner with other local associations.
I’m also proud I could use NEFBA’s budget stewardship as an example of operating within budget. We think that should be true of our national association, as well.
Between now and January, we will be working hard to gain the support of the full Florida delegation. We plan to get much more involved at the national level so we will have a voice as issues are raised in the future.
You are invited to join us in not only growing our membership rolls, but in increasing our sphere and degree of influence in the state and in the national home builders associations.
I look forward to seeing you at the Gala on Sept. 23 and again at our annual Beast Feast on Oct. 6.
Lots more to come this year, even as we are looking the fourth quarter square in the face.
Sincerely,
Chet Skinner