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WHY ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE HBAGTA?
"Joining the HBA has given me tremendous exposure to builders & others related to the housing industry both directly and indirectly.
The ability to have a one-on-one connection whether it is for specific information or for a trustworthy referral, it gives me extra credibility in the eyes of my clients & customers."
Shelly Brunette
Real Estate One | |
Tell us why you are a member of the HBAGTA and you will be eligible for our Gift Card Drawing at our January General Membership Meeting. |
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The HBAGTA is proud to announce their partnership with Constant Contact. This partnership could save you up to 25% on your email marketing campaigns! Try it free for 60 days!
Whether you currently have a Constant Contact account, or you are interested in getting started, contact Jenny at 946-2305 and find out how you can save more by working with the HBAGTA! |
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OFFICE HOURS |
Monday through Thursday
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
For more information on Association Events please visit the HBAGTA website at PLEASE NOTE:
The office will be closed for the Christmas Holiday Week between Christmas and New Years.
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CALENDAR AND
EVENT LINKS | |
To view the HBAGTA Calendar
December 9, 2010
Public Relations Committee
8:00 am
EXPO Committee
12:00
December 14, 2010
Green Build Grand Traverse Meeting 11:30 am
December 15, 2010
Board of Directors 7:30 am
December 16, 2010
Parade of Homes Committee Meeting 8:00 am
December 17, 2010
December 21, 2010
Membership Committee Meeting 8:30 am
December 24 - 31, 2010 Office Closed
February 26 & 27, 2010
Home Builders EXPO
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CONTINUING COMPETENCY FOR LICENSED BUILDERS
SESSIONS AVAILABLE:
APRIL 27, 2011
MAY 6, 2011
9:00 AM - NOON
1:00 - 4:00 PM
OR
MAY 18, 2010 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
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GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS 2010-2011
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Now's the time to mark your calendars! Our HBAGTA General Membership meetings are slated for:
January 10th
February 14th
March 14th
April 11th
May 9th
We will again be looking for member sponsors who are interested in hosting a meeting at their place of business. If you would like the chance to host one, please contact Kathy at kathy@hbagta.com or call the office at 946-2305. |
FUN FACTS! | |
DID YOU KNOW.....YOU CAN SAVE OVER $1,200 RIGHT NOW!
If you provide a link to the HBAGTA on your website, a link to your company's website will be activated on the Online Membership Directory free of charge - this is a $50 Value. Contact Jenny for more information.
If you advertise in the 2011 Membership Directory with at least a full page ad, you will receive a Featured Listing on the Online Membership Directory - free of charge - this is a $150 value. The Directory is distributed throughout our region on a year round basis, which is a valuable opportunity for our advertising members! Contact Kerry for more information.
Annual Advertising Packages are available with a payment plan for 2011. You can save from $115 up to over $475 on your advertising budget! Contact Kerry for more information.
Your GM Savings of $500 is still good through January, 2011.
Just by taking advantage of these opportunities, you will save almost $1,200 in 2011! |
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| Greetings! ,
Looking out the window at the gorgeous heavy snowfall, I can't help but reminisce about the winters of my childhood. I was blessed to have been raised in a healthy, happy "Leave it to Beaver" type of household. On days like today, when the snow was so deep we had to waddle like ducks to maneuver through the front yard and the tree boughs were laden thickly as though frosted with marshmallow cream, we'd have hot chocolate waiting when we got done from making our Frosties and snow angels. I remember my stupid green rubber boots (there were no Sorels back then) filling with the ice balls that would melt, and slipping them off, walking soppy-socked across the linoleum to the crackling fire in the family room.
But many are not so fortunate to have warm fires to come home to or someone waiting there with nourishment or encouragement. Therefore, at this time of year and particularly during the winter season, I think it is important to consider others less fortunate than ourselves. There is such a great need in our community and so many are suffering due to the lack of basic necessities. I hope you will find it in your heart to give back to a charity of choice that helps to make the lives of those less fortunate more pleasant.
According to the watch group Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) donations to the nation's 400 biggest charities dropped 11% last year. This decline was nearly four times as great as the next biggest annual decrease of 2.8% in 2001, when charities also struggled to raise money from recession-battered donors. Sadly, these large charities expect much less in 2010.
So whether you can give time or money, consider making a donation to a charity of choice and help put a little sparkle in another person's life!
And from all of us at the HBA, may you have a blessed and restful holiday season surrounded by those you cherish.
Happy Holidays!
Together We Are Building a Stronger Association!
Kathy Maisonville
Executive Officer
Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc.
3040 Sunset Lane
Traverse City, MI 49684
p: 231.946.2305
f: 231.946.1051
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HOW DO YOU SPELL SUCCESS? | |
We spell it E-X-P-O !
The Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area is proud to present the
2011 Home Builders EXPO
on February 26 & 27, 2011 at
East Middle School in
Traverse City, Michigan. | |
We provide the venue and marketing and you provide your business expertise to help educate and inform our community on the value of doing business with a qualified professional.
Booth rental prices will be going up on January 1, so don't miss this opportunity to showcase your business!
Contact Kerry for more information.
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TREAT YOUR SPECIAL SOMEONE | |
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 On Saturday, February 12th, three compassionate and dedicated organizations will co-host a Valentine's weekend fundraiser at Williamsburg Dinner Theater. There will be fabulous food and a brand new show performed by the WDT staff.
Northwest Michigan is often referred to as "God's Country", but for many families it is anything but pleasant to live here. Poverty and homelessness do exist in our area, even though the majority of the families have a stable source of income. The poverty housing that is available is appalling, as well as the rent charged to live in some of these substandard apartments, trailers, and shacks.
The Traverse Area Association of REALTORS® in partnership with The Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area and Habitat for Humanity plan to change the living conditions for a family from our area.
These organizations are sponsoring a home renovation project in the calendar year 2011. In order to meet the goal of providing a safe, economically feasible home for one family, we need to raise $80,000.00 (cash and materials) plus recruit numerous volunteers.
Please contact any of these committee members for additional information, to acquire tickets or to donate a prize: Stephen Karas (342-4686), Bill Costley (947-2050), Debi Dechow (645-0044) from TAAR, Julie Courtade (409-1564), Victor Lisabeth (995-9057) from HBA or Pam Doty-Nation (941-4663) from Habitat. Tickets are $55 per person or two for $100.
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SET ASIDE TIME "OFF THE TOP" FOR LEARNING
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 Days were growing longer, temperatures were warming, and the flowering trees of late April were in full bloom across the campus. The spring semester was nearing its end, and even as a part-time faculty member, who only taught one course, the end of the school year always brought a sense of excitement.
For seven years, I taught juniors and seniors in the business college at my local university. I used to get a kick out of the things students would say in our after-class discussions especially as the spring semester waned.
READ MORE |
2011 REGIONAL ENERGY EXPO | |
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SATURDAY
JANUARY 15, 2011
NMC AERO PARK LABORATORIES
9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM
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ARE THEY UNLICENSED? TURN THEM IN!
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Back in June we told you about an aggressive effort by Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) and the Attorney General's office to police unlicensed activity in residential building and how you could help. This new program was a direct result of the changes in Michigan's new licensing law, changes that were strongly advocated by MAHB.
Since then the AG, acting on complaints filed with DELEG, has successfully taken action against a number of unlicensed contractors with more on the way.
To learn more about the law and how to turn in the unlicensed: .
COMPLAINT FORMS
To read the entire article from Lee Schwartz at MAHB CLICK HERE |
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TAX TIME INFO
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 Dues to MAHB and NAHB are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. However, dues payments may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses, subject to exclusion for lobbying activity. Because a portion of your dues is used for lobbying by MAHB and NAHB, the non-deductible portion of state dues will be $46.73 for builder and associate members. The non-deductible amount is $27.00 for NAHB dues.
As a point of clarification, of the $395 in dues collected from each builder and associate member, $150 is forwarded to NAHB and $80 to MAHB. Only $165 is retained by the local association to finance our operations and member services. |
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NAHB INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS SHOW:
LAST WEEK FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING | |
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 The NAHB International Builders' Show, the building industry's premier event is January 12 - 15 in Orlando, Florida. Don't miss your chance to attend for less!
This is the last WEEK to take advantage of the Early Bird pricing! Good through December 10 ONLY, a four-day exhibit pass starts at just $50 for NAHB members! In addition, there are amazing prices on one and two education passes, including all four days of exhibits, are also available.
With over 1,000 of the industry's most respected suppliers and more than 200 education sessions, there is something for everyone!
Why should you attend IBS? Find your reasons at www.BuildersShow.com/whygo.
 IBS GAZETTE
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COUNTY EXPANDS CURBSIDE RECYLCING |
 RecycleSmart has announced that effective January 1, 2011 all of Grand Traverse County will be designated as "within" the curbside recycling district. This provides all single family housing units (up to a fourplex in size) to set their recyclables out for pick up. Also, effective this date, county funded drop-off recycling sites will be eliminated due to the expense of operating them. However, the recycling station located at the Public Service Building, 2650 LaFranier Road will remain open due to the generosity of American Waste.
MORE INFORMATION |
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FREE WEBINARS FOR HBA MEMBERS
 It's been rough sailing for builders, but now it's time to head in a new direction with NAHB's New Horizons Webinars: Setting a Course for Success in the New Market.
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Thank you for your membership and support of the Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc.
