Home Builders Association - Commitment To Excellence

The Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc.

e-NEWSSEPTEMBER 18, 2012
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IN THIS ISSUE

FALL PROTECTION

2012 SHOWCASE

ASSOCIATE APPRECIATION

HBA WORLD SERIES

LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD..

7 YEARS IN THE MAKING

EXCEPTIONAL STRATEGIES

BLUEPRINT BASICS

EXCELLENCE CLUB

TOGETHER WE STRENGTHEN

DO BUSINESS..

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNTIES

PAY ONLINE



 

 

Member Advantage

 SAVE MONEY WITH

MEMBER ADVANTAGE!

CLICK HERE

FOR A LIST OF MEMBER ADVANTAGE OPPORTUNITIES


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
 

 

September 26, 2012  


Board of Directors Meeting

7:30 am

 

September 28, 2012

 

Exceptional Marketing Strategies Seminar

8:00 - 11:30 am

Register

 

October 6 & 7, 2012


Showcase of Remodeled Homes & Inspiration Center Open Houses

October 8, 2012
 

General Membership Meeting hosted by ProBuild

Membership Drive Wrap Up

Annual Meeting & Elections
RSVP


October 9, 2012

 

Green Build Grand Traerse

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

 

October 11, 2012

 

Critical Dunes Presentation

Traverse Area Assn of REALTORS® Office

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Register

 

October 16, 2012 

 
Membership Committee

8:00 am 


October 17, 2012

 

Executive Committee

8:30 am 


October 24, 2012

Board of Directors

7:30 am

 

October 25, 2012

 

MAHB Fall Board Meeting

Kalamazoo 


 

NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS SOUGHT

 

 

 

 

The HBA thrives due to the commitment of dedicated members who give their time to make association events successful.   At this time, we are looking for people who would like to get more involved and try out an HBA committee.

 

New members are needed to keep fresh perspective and generate new ideas. We are looking for one or two more for each of the following committees: Parade of Homes, Showcase of Remodeled Homes, EXPO and Golf Committeeto begin work this summer. Also, we would value additional builders on our Membership Committee. If you are interested in serving on a committee, or just trying one out, contact Kathy at kathy@hbagta.com or call the office at 231-946-2305.



FALL PROTECTION DEADLINE EXTENDED

 

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will extend for three months its temporary enforcement measures in residential construction. The temporary enforcement measures, now extended through December 15, 2012, include priority free on-site compliance assistance, penalty reductions, extended abatement dates, measures to ensure consistency, and increased outreach. Fatalities from falls are the number one cause of workplace death in construction.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov
.

 



DTE HOSTS FREE BREAKFAST SEMINAR

 

Learn more about how to effectively use natural gas for construction heat at a free breakfast seminar hosted by DTE Energy for HBA and Builders Exchange members.

 

Date:

October 4th

 

Time:

7- 8:30 a.m.

 

Place:

Holiday Inn

615 East Front

Traverse City

 

Cost: FREE!

 

To participate in this educational breakfast meeting, RSVP to Geri Nelson at DTE Energy 906-786-3270 or nelsongl@dteenergy.com by September 25th.



Greetings!   


 

Kathy new photoOkay! I admit it. Officially I'm a senior citizen and unfortunately, I recently had one of those dreaded "senior moments". It could have been on Candid Camera, or better yet, a segment on Betty White's "Off Your Rocker".   This past weekend I went to get gas and decided on a car wash ... it was such a gorgeous day! I'd been driving around with the sunroof cracked open a bit - lovin' the sunshine and warm breezes. And then half way through the pre-rinse cycle . . ."WHAT THE HECK!!! WHOA!!!" Where's the rain (and foam??) coming from . . duh??! Well, I had a nanosecond to react . . . . and three console buttons to pick from . . . and sure enough, I selected the one that now opened the sunroof completely!

 

Exiting the car wash a young man (now with two towels in hand) peered into the window I sheepishly rolled down, offered me one of them and said, "No extra charge for the shower, Ma'am!" (snicker . . . snicker!!) Geez!

 

Sometimes - you just can't take life too seriously! (Anyone have a umbrella to loan?)

 

Happy Fall!


Kathy

 

 Kathy Signature
Kathy Maisonville

Executive Officer

kathy@hbagta.com

www.hbagta.com
231.946.2305
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

SHOWCASE OF REMODELED HOMES 2012

 

srh2012
The 4th annual Showcase of Remodeled Homes will be held the first weekend in October and organizers expect this to be the best yet. Seven outstanding remodeled homes will be featured on Saturday, October 6th from 12- 6 p.m. and on Sunday, October 7th from 12 noon-5 p.m.

 


New this year is the addition of Inspiration Centers that specialize in products and services for those interested in home renovation. Each location will have demonstrations, give-aways and special pricing available. The Inspiration Centers will be open on Saturday only from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 

Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Currently they are available online at www.hbagta.com. On Friday, September 21st Showcase Guidebooks and tickets will be available at the Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Floor Covering Brokers, Preston Feather Design Center, Traverse City Convention & Visitor's Bureau and the HBA office. For more information about the Showcase Homes and the Inspiration Centers, click here.

 


SEPTEMBER IS ASSOCIATE APPRECIATION MONTH!
by Barry Rutenberg
As Chairman of the Board of The National Association of Home Builders, I would like to personally kick off "Associate Appreciation Month" by asking all builder members to work with our associates and provide as many opportunities as you can for them. Our entire membership, both builder and associate, can only grow stronger by the inner bonds we build in partnership.

 Associate appreciation

 

 

Associate members involved with building a home

(click image to enlarge)

 

Note: The picture illustrates how associate members contribute to housing construction. It is provided as a courtesy by The New Jersey Builders Association.


HBA WORLD SERIES MEMBERSHIP DRIVE IN FULL SWING

BASEBALL PLAYERTeam captains and managers have been out recruiting- and so have their ball players. But you can still get into the game! Any HBA member can participate. Every player who successfully recruits a new member by October 8th will receive a cash prize. It's a Win-Win scenario.   For example, any player who hits a single (recruits 1 new member) will receive $25. And the awards keep increasing. Those who hit a home run (recruit 4 new members) will earn $250 and the pot keeps growing.

 

New members also receive over $450 in special incentives which include free advertising, website links, table tops, and coupons for HBA educational and recreational events. For details on the Drive Incentives, or to get a New Member Application form, click here.

 

  
 

LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN...AND WOMEN!

 

Five Directors' terms will expire at the end of the year. If you've ever wanted to take a seat at the table, influence policy or better understand your association, now is the time to volunteer.
 

The Nominating Committee is seeking members who wish to run for a three-year term on the HBA Board of Directors. If you are a Master Member in good standing and want to be considered, please contact the association office by the end of September or discuss your wishes with President, Marc Burkholder. Elections will take place at the Annual Meeting on October 8th which will be held at ProBuild.


 

SEVEN YEARS IN THE MAKING

  

  
 What many are calling "the most substantial changes ever" to the Critical Dunes Act are now law.  But what are those changes and how do they affect you?

Learn directly from participants in the 7 year process:
 
  • How environmental protection is now balanced with property rights.
  • What does and doesn't require a permit.
  • The new standards you'll have to meet to get a permit, as well as the new standards that must be followed for issuing a permit.
  • How "driveways by right" work.
  • And much more.

This Critical Dunes Seminar is sponsored by the HBA.  It will be held on Thursday, October 11th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the TAAR office located at 853 S. Garfield Avenue.  This is a members only (and invited guests) of HBA, TAAR and Builders Exchange. Representatives from MAHB and MAR will be on hand to provide "the rest of the story!"


Adult beverages and refreshments will be served.  There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.  To sign up, click here.  The deadline is October 8th.

 



EXCEPTIONAL MARKETING STRATEGIES - SEPT 28

 

 

Raise your hand if you have

a system in place for how you invoice your clients? You probably do, right? You probably have an ordering system in place for your business, too.


Well, guess what? The marketing and sales side of your business should ALSO be run as a system! If the closest you have to a plan is, "Maybe we should try this next," or "Hey, has it really been 12 months since we updated our website? We should do that!" Suffice it to say - you need a better marketing system.

 

If what I say resonates with you, reserve Friday morning, September 28th from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. I will be at the HBA office in Traverse City to present an in-person seminar. I will outline what a great Marketing & Sales System looks like. And I promise- (yes, that's a big statement) - I promise you'll leave with a much better understanding of what you need to do.

 

The end goal? To help you generate a consistent flow of ideal leads and to convert those leads into paying clients. This seminar is not only great for remodelers and builders but also any HBA member who wants to be more systematic with their marketing efforts.

 

I hope to see you there. To register, click here.

 

 


BLUEPRINT READING BASICS FOR COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION OFFERED BY BUILDERS EXCHANGE

 

 

ilevelThe Builders Exchange of NW MI will kick off their Lunchbox Series beginning with a basic overview of blue print reading presented by Devin Hill, adjunct instructor with NMC's Construction Technologies.

A light lunch will be provided. The cost is $5.00 for Builders Exchange members and $10.00 for non-members. For additional information, contact Robin at 231-946-5531 or robin@bxtvc.com
.


Location:

Builders Exchange of NW MI

1373 Barlow Street,

Traverse City, MI 49686


When:

Wednesday

October 3, 2012


Time:

11:30am - 1:00pm

 





THE EXCELLENCE CLUB FOR HBA MEMBERS

The HBA is pleased to be able to offer to all members a webinar-based Marketing & Sales Training Program. The program has been underwritten by MAHB and features Kyle Hunt of Remodel Your Marketing, Inc.

 

THERE IS NO COST TO YOU TO PARTICIPATE!
 

 

Every month there will also be a 1-hour Q & A phone call. You can call in and ask your questions directly to Kyle or listen to what other members are asking. This is your opportunity to ask ANY marketing, sales or business related question you have. We'll have a great, value-packed call each month. 
 

CLICK HERE For More Information

 



TOGETHER WE STRENGTHEN & PROTECT
Membership in the local, state and national association has benefits that strengthen and protect your business. Take advantage of the affinity programs through NAHB Member Advantage, MAHB Membership Pays and our local Member to Member Program along with these other options:

Networking - One of the most valuable benefits of membership is networking. Business relationships are built on trust and credibility. Members network at numerous association events with other builders, subcontractors and others doing business in the building industry.

Continuing Education - From changing codes to the ever-changing market, members owe it to themselves and their customers to educate themselves on what's new and what's necessary in the industry. Contact your local association or the national association for classes or designation programs.

Legislation - From tax increases to building code changes, results of many legislative decisions impact your livelihood. MAHB is the only statewide association representing the residential building industry at the Capitol. Are your business interests worth protecting?

Political Affairs - Who are the people that make decisions on the laws and regulations that affect your business? Contribute to Friends of Housing to support and endorse candidates that vote to support small businesses and the building industry. 



"DO BUSINESS WITH A MEMBER"


 

CHECK THE HBAGTA WEBSITE BEFORE YOU MAKE A PURCHASE to take advantage of the Member Discounts that are available to you!mtom discount logo  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.  
  


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vertlogoThank you for your membership and support of the Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc.

Sincerely,

The
HBAGTA Staff

Kathy Maisonville, Executive Officer
Kerry Gartland, Events and Marketing Coordinator 
Jenny Hanrahan, Director of Membership, Education and Technology



SPONSORSHIPS AND ADVERTISING AVAILABLE FOR E-NEWS


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.

 



PAY ONLINE AND SAVE YOUR TIME!

keyboard
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:
  1. Click on the "Members Only" Link on the top right hand corner of the Home Page.
  2. 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!