During my career, I have belonged to several different organizations and associations. As a rule, you would usually think that someone joins an association — like NEFBA or NEFAR — to enjoy the value teamwork, and to assist others in reaching common goals.
Unfortunately, it is also my experience that the notion of teamwork often gets lost and goals are buried when people spend more time focused on themselves than assisting and working with others.
That’s one reason I enjoy reading about Green Bay Packer Coach Vince Lombardi. He understood and believed in the value of teamwork. “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual,” Coach Lombardi said.
Nothing has more power than teamwork. Working together and sharing positive attitudes are keys to any successful organization.
That’s why I was so impressed by what happened last month when Richard Dostie got a dozen or so of the past NEFBA presidents and Life Members together to discuss ticket sales for the upcoming gala.
Maybe the gala was the excuse Richard needed to hold this meeting, but I suspect he had reasons much deeper than just the gala after hearing what Richard had to say.
“Times are tough in our industry,” Dostie told the group. “We all know that. There are things happening in our industry that we don’t like, personal and professional things.”
Then, Richard drove home his point. “Now, more than ever, we need to show that we are an association and that we stick together.”
Stick together. That’s a powerful idea.
“People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society,” said Coach Lombardi.
It’s easy to get down and disgruntled when things aren’t going so well. But, that’s exactly when the champions among us kick it into another gear and get going.
And, that’s exactly what Richard Dostie was doing now. You see, there had been discussions around NEFBA to give into current economic adversity and cancel this year’s gala, a big deal event that has been a tradition for so long very few people can remember when it actually began.
But canceling the event, Richard warned, “will send the wrong signal about builders. We’ve all had great success. I’ve made a wonderful living by building homes. We can’t hide now when things aren’t good.”
He then recounted how he got into the building industry in 1974, “and that was a worse time than right now. Right, Harry?
Sitting at Richard’s right elbow was Harry Roddenberry, who was association president in 1973. “You don’t have to tell me about the early 70’s,” Harry responded. “We got through it because we stuck together.”
Stick together. There was that powerful idea once again.
Then, looking at the builder veterans in the room, Richard sailed home his second point.
“There are young people coming into our industry and we need demonstrate that they, indeed, have a future. Times will change. Our business is cyclical and right now we are at the bottom of a cycle,” he said.
“We all remember 1974, and we also remember what happened a few years later. We got well.”
Besides sticking together, Richard said it is important for the association to demonstrate that it understands economic cycles, and even in bad times, eventually the tide will turn, and “it will get better.”
“Bad business,” he said, “doesn’t mean that we can’t get together and have a good time because we know good times are ahead,” Richard told the group.
Then, Dostie finished off his sales pitch. The gala is October 17 at the Jacksonville Hyatt. Tickets are $100 (reduced from $125); a table for ten is $850 (reduced from $1,000); casual dress (reduced from formal); good food (no change); open bar (no change), and lots of door prizes (no change).
The response was rapid. “Count me in for a table,” said someone. “Me, too,” said another. “I’ll split a table with someone,” said still another person, who which came a quick reply, “I’ll take the other half.” And, so it went until there was a room full of commitments.
Leaving nothing on the table, Richard asked, “Some of us couldn’t make it today, so who will get on the phone and call them?” The names were quickly taken.
“Success,” pronounced Daniel Davis, NEFBA’s executive vice president. “These commitments push us over the top.”
Now, can you guess the moral of all of this? It should be obvious. Take charge of your situation; be positive; don’t hide when things are tough…and ALWAYS stick together.
— Jim Bailey is president of Bailey Publishing & Communications Inc. and publisher of Realty/Builder Connection. He can be reached at [email protected].