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FOUND:
Angel Pin
at Holiday Dinner Dance
Held at Visions at CenterPointe
Please call the HBAGTA Office at 231.946.2305
to claim
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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 23, 2010
Office Closed at Noon
December 24 - 31, 2010
Office Closed
January 10, 2010
Builder Forum: DTE Energy
Table Top Sponsor: Hastings Mutual Insurance
January 11, 2010
Green Build Grand Traverse Committee 11:30 am
January 13, 2010
Public Relations Committee
8:00 am
EXPO Committee 12:00 pm
January 15, 2010
Regional Energy EXPO at NMC
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
January 18, 2010
Membership Committee Meeting 8:30 am
January 20, 2010
Parade of Homes Committee 8:00 am
January 21, 2010
Budget Committee 1:00 pm
January 26, 2010
Board of Directors 7:30 am
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:
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.
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MAHB FILES SUIT
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On December 15th, the MAHB filed suit in Oakland County Circuit Court charging the city of Troy with collecting excessive building department fees and violating the Headlee Amendment. The MAHB was joined in its suit by the Michigan Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association and Associated Builders and Contractors/Michigan.
This is not a suit against privatization. The lawsuit does not seek any injunctive relief against Troy's use of a private company to operate their building department. Neither the request for preliminary or permanent injunction would prevent a private company from providing those services so long as the fees charged and services provided are compliant with the Act and do not violate Michigan's Headlee Amendment.
READ MORE |
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| Greetings! ,
As we approach one of the most treasured of holidays, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and participation in our association this year. Many individuals have worked tirelessly to make sure that your interests were a priority. Our Board leaders, committee chairs, MAHB and NAHB pro-housing advocates and HBA staff have all played a role in ensuring the viability of the organization. But as you know, this has been a challenging year in several ways.
Over the course of the next quarter, we intend to dedicate considerable time talking to members about what they want to get out of their membership. In addition, we are committed to underscoring the value of doing business with our fellow members. An ambitious project, entitled our Membership Discount program will be instituted in January. Everyone will receive a letter by mail which will detail the benefits of participation. There is no cost for members to participate, but hopefully, a great deal of value will be added for members. Unlike other Member-to-Member programs, the perks offered by fellow members to you as an HBA member will not be available to others. We will promote offers on our website and in periodic Tuesday Toolbox News articles. This will not be merely a yellow pages type of advertisement but actually discounts and value plus offers made available only to members. Your new HBA membership card, which will be included in the January mailing, will serve as your "ticket" to those benefits.
One I intend to utilize right away is the 20% off discount at Wyndam Hotels offered through Days Inn. I've already booked a room for some holiday travel and found that indeed, I was able to save quite a bit! I hope you will also take advantage of this special program once you receive the info in the mail. Until 2011, on behalf of the staff and Board, may you all have a blessed and relaxing holiday.
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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The HBA office will close at noon, Thursday, December 23rd in order for our staff to enjoy some time with their families. Phone messages may not be retrieved until after the holidays but emails will be checked periodically by the staff during the break. We will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Monday, January 3rd. In case of emergency, please contact Kathy on her cell phone at 231-632-7025.
Happy Holidays! |
SAVE THE DATE | |
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 Kick off the new year at Floor Covering Brokers
Monday, Jan. 10th
4:30 p.m. Builder Forum - new energy savings with DTE
5:00 p.m. Member Orientation
5-7 p.m. Networking with adult beverages and hors d'oeuvres |
EXPO 2011 | |
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 FEBRUARY 26 & 27, 2011
TRAVERSE CITY EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
Here is your opportunity! You won't want to miss out on this valuable marketing event to showcase your business. This premier event in our community brings in thousands of pre-qualified buyers who will be coming to you to help them plan their dream projects! Don't miss out!
The "Wheel of Dreams" will give our community participants an opportunity to win great prizes towards their dream projects!
So, let's Help Build A Dream during the 2011 Home Builders EXPO!
If you would like to participate, please contact Kerry at 231.946.2305 or email at kerry@hbagta.com.
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HASTINGS MUTUAL TO HOST TABLE TOP JANUARY 10th
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 For more than 125 years Hastings Mutual Insurance Company has "focused on financial strength and responsible management of assets," according to a recent MSNBC new release. The company was recently awarded the A+ highest honors by Weiss Ratings. Weiss is an independent research and ratings company since 1971. The Weiss score is based on the current and future financial stability offered to customers. Less than 1% of financial companies reviewed meet the criteria for this exceptional rating the report notes.
Our HBA is proud of its recent partnership with hastings Mutual and their Selected Contractors Insurance Program designed specifically for our members. The program benefits include:
- Up front discounts
- Monthly reporting of payroll
- Loss control assistance to manage and reduce costs
- MIOSHA certified training
Hastings Mutual will host a table top at our January General Membership meeting. For more information about the products and services available to contractors, please take time to visit the representatives who will be on hand Jan. 10th at Floor Covering Brokers. . |
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HOLIDAY DINNER DANCE A HUGE SUCCESS
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 Although it took a bit of finagling to get people excited about a dinner dance with business associates just a week prior to Christmas, the 100+ attendees danced the night away after enjoying a wonderful dinner catered by Greystone Mansion. The event was held Friday, December 17th at Visions at CenterPointe. It was made affordable through the generosity of our corporate sponsors Hastings Mutual Insurance and DTE. The Board of Directors made personal contributions to enable the guests to have some special hors d'oeuvres.
Guests had an opportunity to take a chance on a $250 cash prize by placing tickets in pockets on a stylized Christmas tree. There was also a $50 gift card awarded to the person who named the most holiday carols based on some very obscure clues. Karen Long was the winner of the drawing and Nancy Lisabeth took top prize in the "Name that Carol" contest.
It certainly appears that we've begun a new tradition that many may look forward to next December! |
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BURKHOLDER INSTALLED AS 41st PRESIDENT
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 On Friday, December 17th, Marc Burkholder was installed as the 41st president of the Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc. Marc chose his father, Jim Burkholder, former president of Burkholder Construction, to do the initiation.
Marc was joined at the podium by his Executive Officers: 1st VP-Denny Lauterbach, 2nd VP-Bill Packer, Secretary-BJ Stark, and Treasurer-Mike Farrer who were elected to those positions by the Board in November.
The membership elected new Directors Jody Fisk, Natalie Foisie, Mike Farrer, Junior VanDyke and Victor Lisabeth in October. They were installed this evening as well and will serve a 3-year term on the Board commencing in January 2011.
Outgoing president, Rob Whims, was recognized for his outstanding commitment, leadership and dedication to the HBA in 2010. He was given a beautiful plaque and provided the Past President's pin. He will continue to serve on the Executive Committee for 2011.
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HOLIDAY STRESS RELIEF
TIPS FROM DON WETMORE |
The holidays are a time for great joy for some, and a time of stress and frustration for others. None of us should be denied the joys of the holiday season and so I have put together the following seven suggestions to help you "bust" the holiday stress and enjoy this time more.
1. Plan ahead. We know well in advance, (like a year before), that the holidays will require a lot more of our time for special preparations in addition to our regular routines and responsibilities. However, many of us get caught short, in crisis management, running around at the "eleventh hour", trying to get the last minute stuff done, feeling a bit (or a lot) stressed out. The solution is to plan ahead and schedule these tasks and events with greater care. It always seems to get done sooner or later. Why not sooner, at your pace, without so much of the hassle?
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TAGLINE WINNER DONATES PRIZE
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Congratulations to Donn Westman of Peterson McGregor whose concept "HBA - Helping Build A . . ." (Dream, Community, Healthy Environment and Future) won the tagline contest. He was awarded a $50 Visa gift card that he donated back to the association. The card was then given as a prize at the recent Holiday Dinner Dance. Appreciation goes to Donn and the fifteen other association members who took time to offer their suggestions. The new tagline will appear on the face of the 2001 Membership Directory: Helping Build A. . . Community. |
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COUNTY EXPANDS CURBSIDE RECYLCING |
Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Department (RecycleSmart) announced recently that the 8 recycling drop-off sites serviced by American Waste will remain. As a form of "community goodwill", American Waste has decided to leave the bins in place at no cost to residents. Mark Bevelhymer, general manager for American Waste, said the decision to leave the bins in place is part of American Waste's new waste diversion and recycling initiative. Bob Osterhout, Resource Recovery Department Manager, stated, "I am pleased with the recycling opportunities being provided to Grand Traverse County residents, including the expansion of the curbside recycling district to all of Grand Traverse County."
For more information on Recycle Smart, contact Kim Elliott at 231.941.5555, kelliott@grandtraverse.org
MORE INFORMATION |
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Thank you for your membership and support of the Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc.
