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SAVE MONEY WITH
MEMBER ADVANTAGE! | |
CLICK HERE
FOR A LIST OF MEMBER ADVANTAGE OPPORTUNITIES |
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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
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS | |
CLICK HERE
to view the HBAGTA Calendar
March 7, 2012
Awards Committee Meeting
1:00 pm
March 12, 2012
General Membership Meeting
Floor Covering Brokers
4:30 - 7:30 pm
RSVP
March 13, 2012
Green Build Grand Traverse Committee Meeting
11:30 am
March 14, 2012
Board of Directors
7:30 am
March 15, 2012
Golf Committee Meeting
8:00 am
March 26, 2012
OFFICE CLOSED
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CELEBRATING OUR DESIGNEES | |
In March, NAHB celebrates the thousands of home builders and remodelers who have taken the time to earn an NAHB designation. Designations are obtained by attending a series of advanced training seminars and passing national exams. Professionals who attain a designation have demonstrated their commitment to improving their craft and the value they place on professionalism in the industry.
Today we honor and celebrate our local HBAGTA members who have completed such advanced training and have achieved one or more national designations. For those not familiar with the terminology, the acronyms are: CGP-Certified Green Professional, CAPS-Certified Aging in Place Specialist, CGB-Certified Graduate Builder, GMB-Graduate Master Builder, and CGR-Certified Graduate Remodeler.
HBAGTA DESIGNEES
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SPRING GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING DATES / LOCATIONS
March 12th - Floor Covering Brokers
April 9th - Morse Moving & Storage
May 14th - TC Millworks
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Architectural Elements of Michigan is your source for JELD-WEN windows & doors. A locally owned company offering you quality products at affordable prices. Please contact Architectural Elements at 231-995-9700.
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HBAGTA PARTNERS WITH SAM'S CLUB FOR MEMBER SAVINGS | |
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Greetings!
 I had a great idea for my letter in this issue of the Wednesday Workbench. It was all about what an oddity February 29th is. I had some fun facts to share and a bit of trivia to boot. Even wanted to tell you about my old friends, twins Heather and Sandy Beech who told the guy at the License Bureau they were 4 years old when they went to get their driver's license! They were Leap Babies- and the first I ever met!
However, as I peer out my office window today and watch the beads of freezing rain, sleet and snow slither down the glass, I doubt that the Wednesday Workbench will actually go to press today. I've asked the staff to stay home, be safe and enjoy this "extra" day that only occurs once every 1,461 days!
So looking ahead, let's consider another important date-Monday, March 12th. That's when our next General Membership Meeting will be held at Floor Covering Brokers. No doubt, we again will be treated to some delicious hors d'oeuvres, snacks and sweets. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. with a unique Builder Forum, "Understanding Trucking Regulations and Compliance." It will be presented by Ron Edwards, Michigan Center for Truck Safety. If you operate a truck of any kind in your business, there is a good chance some of the state and federal regulations apply to you! Come find out!
Also our host, Floor Covering Brokers, has graciously offered two wonderful door prizes for the evening- a beautiful area rug and a whole house carpet cleaning. But here's the catch, you must register for the meeting to be entered to win a prize. It only takes a couple of seconds- just click here. Or call the office at 946-2305 by Thursday, March 8th and tell us who is coming. Invite a potential new member or business colleague to come along and find out more about our association and the benefits of membership.
Hope to see you there.
Kathy
Kathy Maisonville
Executive Officer
kathy@hbagta.com
www.hbagta.com
231.946.2305
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WELCOME NEW / RETURNING HBA MEMBERS | |
The Membership Committee is pleased to announce ten new members have joined since November. Membership growth, whether due to the Association's positive influence on area business, or a sign of the improving economy, is great news. Please say hello or introduce yourself and them get acquainted at an upcoming HBA event or meeting.
Kevin McCarty - Blue Bay Builders
Autumn Solem - Fireside, LLC
Jack Lynch - All-Tile, Inc.
Amy Dagenhart - Contractor's Rental Corporation/CRC
Steve Cobb - Eco-Wise Home Services
Denise Wright - D & M Culinary Cookware
Dr. Bill Cadotte - Piche Family Chiropractic
Dave Wilson - Striker Supply, LLC
Russ SmitH - Master Electric, Inc.
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FREEDOM BUILDERS SEEK HELP | |
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We have an urgent and specific need. Currently we are working with a family man who has a rare form of cancer. Now wheelchair bound, he is having trouble paying for the special transportation to and from the hospital for treatments. The family is in need of a van with a lift. If you know of someone who has such a vehicle, please contact me at Freedom Builders. I know this is a large request but if you can help at all it would be great.
Thank you in advance!
Skip Brown
sbrown02@chartermi.net
231-941-4171
www.freedombuildersministry.org. |
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HOME INSPECTION SCHOOL | | |
 Do you have an interest in adding some new tools to your toolkit? Many skilled professionals would like to expand their repertoire of saleable services. How about opening a sideline Home Inspection Business? There is a demand for this service and unfortunately, people without a thorough understanding of building science and technology are sometimes performing that service. You, however, can start to change that.
Join Bruce Frost on Friday, April 13th for an all-day seminar at the HBA office. Learn how to perform home inspections properly, what type of insurance is required and the contract liabilities and risks involved. Come away with all the materials needed to set up your own business. Bruce will also provide forms and publications to get you started.
For more information, call 946-2305. To register, click here.
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IT'S BACK! GM $500 PRIVATE OFFER FOR NAHB MEMBERS! | | |
 NAHB members can get a $500* private offer toward the purchase or lease of most new GM vehicles. Learn more at: gmfleet.com/nahb
How it works:
- Get your NAHB proof of membership form at nahb.org/ma.
- Bring form to your GM dealer and mention this private offer.
- At time of purchase or lease, present your NAHB Proof of membership.
More valuable offers for business owners are available through the GM Business Choice Program**, Choose one great option for each eligible you purchase or lease. Details at gmfleet.com/nahb.
* Offer valid toward the purchase or lease of new 2011, 2012 and 2013 model year GM passenger cars and light duty trucks, excluding the Chevrolet Volt, Spark, and ZL1 Camaro. Not available with some other offers. Not valid on prior purchases. Program subject to change without notice. See dealer for details. Take delivery by 1/2/13.
** To qualify, vehicles must be used in day-to-day operations of your business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. Visit gmfleet.com/nahb or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details. Take delivery by 9/30/12.
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HBA SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE MARCH 31ST
 This year the HBA has $2500 available to award in student scholarships. The HBA- NMC Home-in-a-Day fund has $1500 and the HBA Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has $1000. Grants are awarded each spring to those who aspire to careers related to the housing industry. For more information or to obtain an application, click here.
The deadline to apply is March 31st. The HBA Scholarship Committee will meet in early April to review the applications. Any current Master Member who wishes to serve on the review committee is encouraged to contact Kathy at kathy@hbagta.com. Awards will be presented to the winners at the May 14th General Membership meeting at TC Millworks.
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PARADE OF HOMES CONTRACTS NOW AVAILABLE
We've begun the countdown - now just 100 days - to our 23rd annual Parade of Homes & Developments to be held June 16-24, 2012. The Parade Contract is now available online at www.hbagta.com. The deadline for Parade Home submission is Thursday, April 26th.
For more information, contact Kerry at 232-946-2305 or email kerry@hbagta.com | |
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HELP STOP THE INVENTORY TAX | | |
MAHB's Dawn Crandall sent an important message yesterday regarding a House Floor vote on our top legislative priority (HB 4134 which would end the inventory tax on new homes). This bill WILL BE VOTED ON TOMORROW and we need your help to get this bill passed. It will take less than a minute to help...What we need is for you to send an e-mail to your legislators in the State House of Representatives. The link below will allow you to do this even if you don't know who your local representatives are. All you do is fill in your name and address and hit send. The wording of the letter has already been filled in for you.
Please click on the link below to send a letter requesting that your legislator vote yes on House Bill 4134:
http://www.votervoice.net/Groups/MAHB/Advocacy/?IssueID=27728&SiteID=-1
Bob Filka, CEO
Michigan Association of Home Builders
6427 Centurion, Suite 150B | Lansing, MI 48917
517.646.2555 direct line | 517.322.0224 | 517.322.0504 fax |
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2012 Spring Solar Energy Tour- Saturday, May 12th
Traverse City area is home to several important solar electric and solar hot water installations. Gain understanding of how these systems capture energy from the sun to produce electricity or hot water (or heat) for your home or business. Evaluate the operational experience of each system first hand as you hear from the experts who install or operate these systems. If you are wondering how solar energy works in Michigan and how it can be used, this event will provide you with valuable information and insight. Tour begins at the Parsons/Stulen Building at NMC's Aero Park Drive Campus.
2012 Spring Wind Energy Tour-Saturday, June 9th
A Spring Wind Energy Tour will also be sponsored by NMC. Tour participants will learn about local wind energy production while viewing three innovation installations. Beginning at the Northwestern Michigan's Aero Park Lab, a short history of wind power production in Michigan will be provided. Participants will next tour the 10 KW Wind Generator at NMC's University Center and the well-known Traverse City Light and Power Generator on M-72. Van transportation will be provided for the group. The cost is $19 for each seminar. For more information or to register, call NMC at 995-1700. |
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"DO BUSINESS WITH A MEMBER"
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CHECK THE HBAGTA WEBSITE BEFORE YOU MAKE A PURCHASE to take advantage of the Member Discounts that are available to you! We now boast 17 participants that are offering discounts to our members and it's never too late to get involved!
If you would like to offer a free or discounted service or product to your HBA colleagues, please complete the application you received in the mail or print another one here. You may mail it or fax it to the HBA office. There is no charge for this opportunity.
To take advantage of these discounts simply show your current HBAGTA Membership Card to the provider at the time of purchase. |
Top
 Thank you for your membership and support of the Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc.
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SPONSORSHIPS AND ADVERTISING AVAILABLE FOR E-NEWS
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Sponsorships are available for our bi-weekly e-newsletter for $25 an issue. Get your name out in front of the HBAGTA Members and event participants. Sponsorship includes your logo prominently placed in the publication along with a link to your web site. Don't miss this unique opportunity! Sponsorships must be pre-paid. Go to your member profile to sign up for this service then send an email with your requested dates and graphic to jenny@hbagta.com.
Classified Advertising is now available. Each ad will be $10 and will be limited 30 Words and will not include graphics. Classified ads will be located at the bottom of the e-newsletter with a link in the table of contents. Go to your member profile to sign up for this service then send an email with your classified ad to jenny@hbagta.com.
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PAY ONLINE AND SAVE YOUR TIME!
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YES YOU CAN!
We are proud to announce that you can now pay your invoices and register for events on the HBAGTA web site!
It's this easy:
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Click on the "Members Only" Link on the top right hand corner of the Home Page. -
Log In with your User Name and Password.
If you haven't logged in to your account yet, your user name and password are:
User Name: First name initial with last name (jsmith)
Password: Fusion (this is a default password that should be changed.)
You won't believe what you see! Take a tour and see how much information is at your fingertips! |
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