|
FRIDAY FURLOUGHS |
|
The HBAGTA staff began a new 4-day work week on August 31st. In an effort to preserve financial resources, staff time has been reduced by 20%. The office hours are from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For the most up-to-date information about Association events visit www.hbagta.com. |
|
CALENDAR AND
EVENT LINKS |
|
|
|
September 11, 2009
September 18, 2009
Office Closed
September 25, 2009
Office Closed
October 3 & 4, 2009
|
|
NEW HBAGTA MEMBER BENEFIT TO BE LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER! |
|
|
|
The Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area and Builder Helper are pleased to announce a partnership and a new member benefit program for all HBAGTA members. Builder Helper.com is a web-based construction management program that facilitates estimating, bidding and scheduling as well as the flow of information between contractors, trades and other parties. Builder Helper is a more efficient and cost effective way for Builders and Trade Contractors to do business - saving every TIME and MONEY while also REDUCING Material Waste.
|
|
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!
|
|
|
Sponsor Link
CONTACT THE HBAGTA TO BECOME A TUESDAY TOOLBOX SPONSOR!
|
|
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
|
|
September 14, 2009
Waterfront Conference Center
BUILDER FORUM:
4:30 PM
"Clarity - How Social Media is Used in Today's Business World and Why You Should Know"
NETWORKING:
5:00 - 6:00 PM
DINNER MEETING:
6:15 PM
"Successfully Using Social Media to Promote Your Business"
Please be courteous and let us know if you plan to attend the event and the names of the guests that will attend with you. This will ensure that enough meals and seats are available for all who attend. We cannot guarantee a meal if you do not RSVP. Guest meals will be charged $25/per meal or $22 if paid at the door.
If you need to cancel your RSVP, please inform our office by calling BEFORE the event: (231) 946-2305.
PLEASE NOTE
You will be responsible for payment of the ordered meal if you do not attend and do not inform the HBAGTA before the meeting! |
|
TABLE TOPS |
|
Table Tops will be available for rental for the September General Membership Meeting. Contact the HBAGTA to reserve your table today! |
|
Cost is $50 per table |
|
FEDERAL EXPRESS |
|
|
|
A Member Advantage Benefit from NAHB.
Through November 15, 2009 NAHB members can save:
Minimum 50% off select FedEx Express® U.S. shipping
Minimum 32% off select FedEx Express international services
Minimum 16% off select FedEx Ground® services
Minimum 60% off select FedEx Freight® and FedEx National LTLSM services More information>>
|
|
REGISTER NOW FOR INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS SHOW
|
|
Registration and housing are now open for the building industry's biggest event, the 2010 International Builders' Show! Join us January 19-22, 2010 in Las Vegas! Get all the latest information at www.buildersshow.com.
|
|
FOOD NEEDED IN TC
|
|
Editor's Note: Although many of our members responded generously to the recent request by TAAR for food and supplies for the food pantry, the needs appear to have exceed reserves. Any help you may give our community would be appreciated.
Please see the following Chamber request:
Tomorrow, September 10th, the United Way of Northwest Michigan will hold its annual Day of Caring. As part of its commitment to this special day and to its communities, the Chamber is a major partner, and it has volunteered to organize a food drive for the Northwest Food Coalition, an organization that distributes food to 38 pantries throughout our region. Please help.
Please drop non-perishable food items off at the Chamber anytime today or tomorrow or leave a cash or check donation. Checks can be written to the Northwest Food Coalition and are fully tax deductible.
We are aware of how much you already do to make the Traverse City area better and know this is piling on. However, there is more need than ever for food assistance and your continued help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request.
Best regards,
Doug Luciani, President & CEO
Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce
| |
|
| Greetings! ,
 It's Football Season! The crisp breezes are fresh and invigorating, the withering oak and maple leaves snap beneath your feet and the smell of a distant bonfire is in the air.
But where are you-on the sidelines? No excuses now . . . it's time to get back into the game! On Monday, September 14th our association is hosting our first fall General Membership meeting at the Waterfront Conference Center. There will be a networking and tailgate party with hors d'oeuvres starting at 5 p.m. on the deck and an informal barbecue buffet at 6:15 p.m.
Our Builder Forum that begins at 4:30 p.m. will help you better understand all the hoopla about Social Media and provide you with some tools to market your business in some pretty easy and cost-effective ways.
A member orientation, for old and new members will be held at the Center at 5:30 p.m. Our keynote speaker this evening is Kevin Endres of Three West, LLC one of the recent winners of the Chamber's 40 Under 40 Award and an expert on utilization of social media.
 Wear your favorite football jersey (or company logo wear) and be entered into a door prize drawing. Also try your skill that evening at passing a Nerf football to try to qualify for some special vendor gifts as well.
Remember, just like at the stadium gates, it's hard to get a seat without your ticket. So please do us a big favor and RSVP for the meeting. That's your "ticket"! Call the office at 946-2305 by this Friday, Sept. 11th or click here to make reservation. Don't forget to give us the names of those attending. Also, we are going to try something new to save us time and you money. If you bring a guest or a support member and pay for their meal at the door (rather than being invoiced), you get a $3 discount. (Make checks payable to the HBAGTA for $22). Remember, all Master Members or their designees eat for free. That's just one of the benefits of membership!
Table tops are available this evening for $50. Bring a door prize and have a chance to introduce yourself and your company to the dinner guests.
Together, we are building a stronger Association!
Kathy
Executive Officer
p: 231.946.2305
f: 231.946.1051
toll free: 800.422.5166
|
|
BEFORE MEETS AFTER |
|
|
|
BEFORE AFTER
The HBAGTA staff is delighted to have 11 homes in the Showcase of Remodeled Homes. We have already received such a positive response from our members and community.
Our Showcase Guide is a magazine format with informative articles, full color advertising and photos of all of the remodeled homes. The publication is currently in the editing stages but considering all of the information that we have received, we anticipate this magazine to be a great resource and marketing tool for our members. It is definitely a conversation starter!
I am looking forward to this year's event which will showcase what our Home Builders Association members have to offer.
Events and Marketing Coordinator
Home Builders Association of
Grand Traverse Area, Inc
|
|
SHOWCASE OF REMODELED HOMES |
|
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
OCTOBER 3 & 4
12pm to 6pm each day |
|
Tickets $3 each or two for $5
Ticket Outlets include:
-
Brown Lumber
-
Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau
-
Floor Covering Brokers
-
Wooden Hammer (T.C. and Elk Rapids)
-
Home Builders Association
-
ReStore
A portion of ticket sales will benefit Habitat for Humanity. |
|
PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENTS - |
|
|
|
The Policy of the HBAGTA allows that Bylaw changes may be made in the months of September and/or April of each year. The Board of Directors approved the suggested revisions detailed below at their meeting on August 26th. A vote on these amendments will be taken at the September General Membership Meeting that will take place on September 14th at the Waterfront Conference Center.
ARTICLE VI
(Membership Dues)
Sec. 1 Dues for the membership in the National Association of Home Builders, and the Michigan Association of Home Builders shall be paid by this Association from its treasury. In addition, the Association shall pay the cost of one meal per member the food for each Master Member who attends of the Annual and General Meetings of the membership. If a member Master Member is unable to attend any meeting, one of his employees, support members, spouse, or partners shall be entitled to the meal the privilege of attending on his/her behalf. Members or one of the employees or partners who fail to attend the Annual or General Meetings shall not be reimbursed for such meals.
(Membership)
Sec. 5 Meetings of the membership shall be held as follows:
(a) An Annual Meeting of the membership of this Association shall be held in the month of October of each year for the purpose of electing members to the Board of Directors.
(b) General Meetings of the membership of this Association shall be held once each month, except for the months of June, July, and August, at least six times a year at the time, and place to be designated by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE X
(Voting and Quorums)
Sec. 2 Quorums shall be as follows:
(a) A quorum of the membership shall consist of 10% of the Master Members or fifty (50) Master Members of the Association whichever is less. Membership will be determined by the NAHB's Membership Report of the SECOND month immediately prior to the month in which a vote is taken.)
(Election to Board of Directors)
Sec. 5 Installation.
(a) The newly elected Board and all Officers shall be installed at the December General Membership Meeting and assume leadership on January 1st of the following year. |
|
THE TIDE IS LOW - WHAT ARE YOU WEARING? |
|
Perhaps you have you set your Professional Development goals and are ready to get started or you are working on completing your required course work to attain a Professional Designation. Some of you would just like to update your skill or knowledge level in this competitive industry. Whatever path you are on, the HBAGTA is here to support you in your efforts to become a more educated and confident business professional.
The Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area has made a "Commitment to Excellence" as well as a "Commitment to Education" to our community and our members. Consumers are looking to us to provide them with professionals that they can trust. Their dreams rely on your expertise and quality work. Here is your opportunity to take your business to the next level. Sign up today or call the HBAGTA Office for more information.
The following courses and assessments have been scheduled for this fall in the Roger Papineau Professional Development Center:
*Required courses for CGP (Certified Green Professionals Designation).
^Required courses for CAPS (Certified Aging In Place Specialist Designation). |
|
"Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked"
Warren Buffet
|
|
BUILDER RESOURCES ON CHINESE DRYWALL |
|
|
Drywall imported from China that was used in home construction in the United States is causing some concern for home owners and home builders. Home owners have reported foul odors and air conditioning-related problems in homes constructed with some of the drywall imported from China. Additionally, copper components, and certain electrical and plumbing components might have a blackened appearance. It is believed the drywall was imported into the U.S. between 2004 and 2008. Some of this drywall is alleged to contain high levels of sulfur and/or other contaminants, which it is emitting or off-gassing. Governmental agencies are investigating the potential adverse health consequences of exposure to the sulfur gases. >> Read More
|
|
FACTS ON THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY TAX CREDIT |
|
|
|
 Take advantage of improved tax credits available for many energy-efficient home improvements. Find a professional remodeler at www.hbagta.com for assurance of a project well done.
The Existing Home Retrofit Tax Credit (Tax Code Section 25C): Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to a $1,500 lifetime limit, for installation in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) of these products:
|
|
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SOLAR ENERGY |
|
|
Receive financial assistance when you install a solar energy photovoltaic system for your home or business! Detroit Edison is now accepting applications for SolarCurrents™ at dteenergy.com/solar, a pilot program designed to make the purchase and installation of a solar energy system much more affordable. SolarCurrents will reduce your:
-
Installed cost of a solar PV system - by as much as half!
-
Monthly electricity costs for 20 years - with a monthly credit on your utility bill
-
Carbon footprint - every kWh produced by solar power eliminates 2 pounds of CO2 emissions
Not only can you receive a generous payment upon installation, but you will receive a credit on your energy bill for the next 20 years. This is in addition to federal tax credits and any other local incentives.
In return, Detroit Edison will receive all rights to any Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) allocated to that renewable generation. It's all part of our commitment to develop more sources of clean, renewable energy for Michigan.
|
|
HOST AND ROAST |
|
|
|
The HBAGTA staff is looking for an HBAGTA member who would be willing to hold an informal beer and brat night at their business establishment on October 12th. The location should be large enough to accommodate 75+ members at a time. On this date, we also have the opportunity to have a national speaker who will be in Traverse City to speak informally to our members that evening on the topic of sales and marketing. If you are willing to be a sponsor of the October General Membership meeting or the following month, on November 9th, please contact Kathy at 946-2305 or via email at kmaisonville@hbagta.com. The December 14th meeting will be our annual awards night and installation of officers at the Waterfront Conference Center.
| |
|
WATERSENSE |
|
|
|
 On September 17, 2009 EPA WaterSense™ is convening a webinar-Partner Forum. WaterSense™ will roll out its final specification for single-family new homes later this year. Once the specification is complete, EPA will work with builder partners, who may begin constructing and promoting new homes built to the WaterSense specification.
Locally, Onsite Wastewater of NW MI 501(c)3 is an EPA WaterSense™ Partner and has extended an invitation to HBAGTA to join them for the webcast to learn more about this exciting new initiative and how you can get involved. You will also receive a technical update on the status of the pre-rinse spray valve, urinal, and irrigation controller specification development.
The live webinar takes place from 3-4 pm and, subject to demand, a Traverse City location will be identified for people to attend. To learn more about Onsite Wastewater go to www.onsitewastewater.info and for EPA WaterSense™ go to www.epa.gov/watersense/. If you are interested in the webinar, please contact Dendra J. Best, Executive Director at secretary@michigan-onsitewastewater.org.
|
|
HOW TO CREATE AN ENDLESS STREAM OF QUALIFIED TRAFFIC
|
|
|
|
Waiting and Hoping are two of the most common marketing strategies builders are using today. Sadly, these simply don't work to drive sales.
Instead of waiting for prospects to find you and hoping somebody buys a home from you today, why not take decisive, deliberate action to make sales happen.
Need some direction? What to know what's working for other builders to create traffic and sales right now? Then be sure to attend the webinar Creating Traffic to Your Model Home or Sales Center, featuring renowned marketing expert, Bonnie Alfriend.
Bonnie will reveal tried and tested promotional activities that generate traffic and leads to your place of business. You'll find new ways to make the most of your investment in your and use it to your advantage. And, you'll discover how other builders across the country make their model homes and sales centers work for them.
This webinar will cover:
-
Advertising tips to help increase traffic
-
How thinking out of the box and being unique can make a difference
-
Creative marketing & promotional programs
-
Specific case studies
-
The value of merchandising
-
How using publicity helps build traffic
Register today: http://www.builderradio.com/Traversewebinars to attend "Creating Traffic to Your Model Home or Sales Center"
Bonnie Alfriend is the founder of Sales & Marketing Solutions, a nationally known sales and management training company that works exclusively with builders. Bonnie has won numerous awards, including the NAHB Trina Ripley Excellence in Education Award. In this 1-hour seminar, Bonnie will share what's working for builders around the country to create qualified traffic and generate more sales.
Topic: Creating Traffic to Your Model Home or Sales Center
Date: Live Presentation: Wednesday, September 16th at 2:00pm EST
Time: 3PM Atlantic, 2PM Eastern, 1PM Central, 12 Noon Mountain, 11AM Pacific, & 8AM Honolulu
Note: Audio/powerpoint recording available after September 18th.
Registration: $37 per computer... So gather the entire team for this event!
Register Here. http://www.builderradio.com/Traversewebinars
|
|
NAHB WEBINAR - BEYOND THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO |
|
|
|
Beyond the Best-Case Scenario:Positioning Your Company to Take Advantage of the Downturn
September 17, 2009
2:00 to 3:00 pm
Single family home sales rose 11% in June, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. This is great news, but the housing industry isn't done transforming itself yet.
When the dust of the housing shakeup settles, the builders and other housing professionals left standing strong will be the ones who made a plan for the future. What's the smartest way to create that plan while staying on top of the current market's challenges?
In the Beyond the Best-Case Scenario audio seminar, Ross Robbins and Manny Schatz, outline a three-step process to do just that. It starts with controlling what can be controlled now and preparing for any market in the future. This approach puts you in the driver's seat and helps you to be more realistic about your options. Robbins' strategic process will show you how to make decisions deliberately instead of desperately.
|
Top
Thank you for your membership and support of the Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc.
|
Copyright 2009 Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc. All rights reserved.
| |
