How Do You Measure The ROI Of Your HBA PRO Membership Dues?

I found the article below by Jeff Hurt that I thought was particularly insightful in regards to return on investment for association membership dues.  Since the PRO has recently changed our name, brand and logo this topic has been on my mind. 

Read the article below then leave a comment to share your views.

Article by Juff Hurt, Midcourse Corrections

How do you measure the ROI of your association membership dues? What is the value of your association membership? What dollar amount would you put on the value of your membership?

What tangible benefits do you receive by joining an association? How do you choose which association you’re going to join each year? Is it based on the number of “leads” you receive for possible new business? Is it the networking opportunities? Do you place a high value on the mission of the organization and want to align with it? Or do you join because you care about the industry and want to further its goals?

Perhaps you join because you want to learn new information, meet like-minded individuals and engage in community? Or maybe you join because you’re new to the industry and want to learn more? Or do you join so you can put it on your resume? Or because you’ve always been a member?

Associations by their very nature exist primarily for their membership. An association’s members are considered its owners, customers and stakeholders. Most have a governing structure that is “member-driven, board directed and staff managed.” (Or at least they are supposed to!) In most associations—whether charity, education, professional or trade–members have a voice and a vote. Members have a say in the structure and priorities of the association, the right to elect board members and officers, and the ability to approve bylaw amendments. The formal association structure goes far beyond the discounts, newsletter and information.

I have worked for associations for nearly 20 years and have learned the standard association elevator speech: “We exist to provide education, government relations, networking and research for our members.” Some people would add community to that list of services.

People usually join associations for one of two primary reasons: because they believe in the mission of the organization or they receive benefits that are worth the member fee.

So…What is the value of being a HBA member? Why join the PRO in addition to the HBA? How do you measure the ROI of your membership dues? What benefits do you expect from your membership fees? Why did you join the Organization?

Singing the praises of unsung heroes: Tough economic climate fails to deter progress on major Home Builders Foundation project

By: Luke Morley, HBF Board Member

The Foundation’s Cordero House remodel, which breaks ground in just a few weeks, is a daunting challenge. Cordero House is a community based treatment program providing a safe haven for teenage boys. The original objective was to simply increase the number of beds at Cordero House, as the highly successful program had been forced to turn away applicants due to a lack of capacity.

But the tired, old 6,500 square foot structure was also in dire need of major repair, a fact that was not lost on builder captains Jim Feild of Progressive Builders Northwest and Mike Arnett of Lifestyle Homes. Feild and Arnett deduced that a $900,000 remodel of the facility would be required to convert this “facility” into a real “home.”

Feild feels that “donor creativity” has made the difference in an otherwise stingy environment for contributions of expertise and materials. “Individuals and companies have risen to the occasion to show their support for the project. While the donation may not be what was originally intended, they are still on board with co-op opportunities. The Foundation and its partners are looking for other ways to help, including helping write a grant that got the Cordero House $12,000 worth of kitchen appliances from the USDA. Thinking “out of the box” ensures the success of all us and allows us to fulfill our promises during these times.”

As Mike Arnett so aptly stated, “It may not be as easy to maintain our individual donations and commitments in these unprecedented times, but for those in our industry who are able to stay the course, there’s a house full of kids eagerly waiting the fruits of our giving, whose counseling and treatment will be enhanced and expanded exponentially. That’s our ultimate goal…helping these individuals move on with their lives, enabling them to make a positive difference in the world at large.”

Never having been known to “mince” words, Feild concludes, “Making the Cordero House a part of what I do this year is still a priority regardless of the adversity surrounding us. We all are busy. My experience with busy people is that busy people get things done. So let’s get this done!

Major HBF Contributors:
Alarm Access Control Technologies
Blazer Development
Central Air
Farnsworth Building
Design and Planning
Gary’s Vacuflow
George Morland Plumbing
Globe Lighting
JB Insulation
Jim Fisher Roofing
Lakeside Lumber
Lamps Plus
Lifestyle Homes
Medallion Industries
Milgard Windows
Miller Paint
ProBuild
Progressive Builders NW
Red’s Electric
Sherwin-Williams
Sports Court of Oregon
Terry Voss Framing
The Carpet Place
United Tile
Westland Industries, Inc.

Happy 4th of July!

Don’t forget there will be no Fort Vancouver fireworks show this year.  If you need an alternative location to get your yearly fireworks fix click here for a list of all the local fireworks displays.

Hope you all have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Did you know: Robert G. Heft is a designer of the 50-star flag for the United States of America. He spent his childhood in Lancaster, Ohio, where he created the flag as a school project.

He designed the current U.S. flag in 1958 while living with his grandparents. He was 17 years old at the time and did the flag design as a class project. He unstitched the blue field from a family 48-star flag, sewed in a new field, and used iron-on white fabric to add 100 hand-cut stars, 50 on each side of the blue canton.

He originally received a “B-” for the project. After discussing the grade with his high school teacher, Stanley Pratt, it was agreed that if the flag was accepted by Congress, the grade would be reconsidered. Heft’s flag design was chosen and adopted by presidential proclamation after Alaska and before Hawaii was admitted into the union in 1959. According to Heft, his teacher did keep to their agreement and changed his grade to an “A” for the project.

Mind Your Own Business: A current approach to marketing and finding more business

July 20 * 1-5 p.m.
Presented by the Professional Remodelers Organization
$25 PRO Members / $35 HBA Members / $45 Non-Members

What if you had to compete against yourself and win? How honest can you be in answering this question? While many business people get into business because they are extremely skilled, there is a growing need to marry the craft knowledge with ways to best monetize such skill sets. Come listen to national speaker Ken Jones’ “edutaining” discussion on ways to do just that.

Click her to register.

Ken Jones, MBA has more than 25 years of experience creating, building, and selling businesses. His background includes an array of responsibilities with documented success in the areas of entrepreneurial development, turnaround management consulting, software development and implementation, and e-business creation. Jones’ background also includes experience in financial management, sales management, and strategic marketing. Jones teaches the Business Management Workshop, and wrote and teaches Mind Your Own Business, and Sales: Managing the Outcome.

Street of Dreams News: What you need to know

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Professional Remodelers Organization will be running the official Street of Dreams parking lot as a fund raiser for our group.  Volunteers will be needed to direct traffic, collect money and ensure safety within the parking lot.  The parking lot will be open every Saturday and Sunday in August.   Come out and have a great time interacting with an excited and energized public. Make sure to wear your company’s logo shirts, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. For more information or to volunteers, please contact Sarah at 503-684-1880.

IDEA GALLERY
The Idea Gallery is now open for a third weekend (August 22-23). The first weekend (Aug. 8-9) is a few slots from being full, and the second (Aug. 15-16) and third are well on their way. Don’t miss this great opportunity to showcase your products to the 60,000+ consumers that attend the show annually. Call Hallie at the HBA to reserve your booth today.

TICKETS
1.  Tickets are available online at www.streetofdreamspdx.com for $13.00 until July 15. Simply type in “2off” when you check out to receive the discount.
2.  Tickets are available at all Safeway locations beginning July 1. Receive a $2.00 discount by showing your Safeway Club card.
3.  Tickets are also available at NW Rugs and Bedmart.
4.  Bulk tickets are available at the HBA. They are $13 (for 10-19), $12.50 (for 20-49) and $12 (for 50+).

PEARL PASS
Seventy Pearl District businesses have now signed up to take part in the Pearl Pass Program, making your NW Natural Street of Dreams ticket worth close to $6,000 in discounts and freebies! Visit the SOD website to view a full list of the participating businesses and the discounts they are offering.

SPONSORS
Thank you NW Natural, John L. Scott and BASCO for your continued support of the Street of Dreams. This year’s show is shaping up to be one of our most exciting and unique yet, and we are so glad that you are once again a part of it!

Also, thank you to the Oregonian, Oregon Live, NW Rugs, and BedMart for your support and participation in our first-ever urban edition of the show.

Midsummer Night’s Dream set to take The Pearl by storm in July

The annual A Midsummer Night’s Dream charity benefit, organized by the Home Builders Association, has kicked off the NW Natural Street of Dreams with style and class for the last 25 years. And the 2009 rendition, which takes place July 30, promises to impress like never before as it takes guests on a unique journey through Portland’s beautiful Pearl District.

This year’s first ever urban edition of the event, themed Treasures in the Pearl, offers attendees a sneak peek at the nine condominium homes featured in the show while raising money for local charities. Since its inception in 1983, this benefit has provided more than $1.2 million for 72 local charities.

Special features of the 2009 event include:

• Five parties in one: Delicious cuisine, wine, beer and live entertainment will greet guests at the event’s headquarters, Portland Center Stage, along with at each of the four highlighted buildings: 937, Block 90, Encore and Waterfront Pearl.
• A uniquely Portland culinary experience: Bay 13, Henry’s 12th Street Tavern, Palamino Restaurant Rotisseria & Bar, Paragon Restaurant & Bar, and PF Chang’s China Bistro will provide the evening’s delicious local delicacies.
• Limousines shuttles: Guests will travel in luxury as they are shuttled from location to location by JMI Limousines. (Contact JMI for evening deals.)
• Live music and dance performances: Body Vox and a number of local musical performers will get the party started with unique live entertainment. Performers will also whimsically dance attendees to the event’s closer condo locations.

“This one-of-a-kind event is packed full of fun and surprises,” said Jennifer Wessling, the MSND coordinator. “There is no better opportunity for people to come experience the beauty that is the Pearl District while joining together for a good cause.”

Tickets are now on sale at www.streetofdreamspdx.com and can be purchased at the HBA office. Tickets are $100 and as an additional bonus, each MSND ticket may be exchanged at the end of the event for a ticket to the 2009 NW Natural Street of Dreams (a $15 value). Ticket sales from this year’s event benefit three local charities known for their dedication to creating a better environment and better future for those in need in the Portland area.

HBA Golf Classic

Nearly 150 golfers hit the links at Stone Creek Golf Club today for the annual HBA Golf Classic. Many thanks to our generous sponsors for making this event successful…

Breakfast Sponsor:  W.B. Wells
Beverage Sponsor: Lakeside Lumber
Golf Cart Sponsor: Sherwin Williams
Hole Sponsors: Aflac, Alpine Mortgage, Apollo Pools, Art4orm, Gary’s Vacuflo, HBW 2-10, Home Builders Foundation, Newberg Ford, NW Natural, Pacific Lumber, PARR Lumber, Pro Build, Rodda Paint, The Saunders Company, ServePro of Tigard/Tualatin and Sterling Savings Bank

Fist Place Team

2nd Place Team

3rd Place Team

Social Media: Facebook and LinkedIn

By Kevin Curry, Command Consulting part 3 of a 3 part series.  Also see Twitter and Blogging.

Online social networking is not just “social” anymore. It has become an integral part of business networking as well. In our final segment, here’s a look at two of the internet’s biggest, Facebook and LinkedIn, and how they can be used for business networking.

Originally started as a social networking site for Harvard University students, Facebook has exploded far beyond its original scope. It grew slowly at first, allowing other Ivy League students on board, then expanding to all college students, and finally to anyone age 13 and over. In fact, ask anyone in their early 20’s about Facebook and you just might get a disgruntled reply that “my parents and grandparents are taking over Facebook!”

Users create Facebook pages which allow them to link to Facebook networks, organizations and causes. People can search for other Facebook users by identifiers like high school, college, and other shared organizations. Users extend a Friend Request to people they would like to follow and have access to their personal pages. This is different from Twitter where people can just follow you and do not have to have an approved request. Your Facebook page can include personal info, photos, links to stories, and numerous time wasting games and diversions. The explosion in usage for those over 25 can be linked primarily to using Facebook to reconnect with old friends and with family.

LinkedIn is a business-oriented site that focuses on professional networking. Similar to Facebook, you set up a page and people request to be linked to your professional network. Far different than Facebook, however, is LinkedIn’s primary goal of professional networking.

So, how can Facebook and LinkedIn be used to promote your business? Your Facebook friends are a great audience to tell about your business, your accomplishments and your expertise. After all, word of mouth is one of the best ways to get referrals, so keeping you and your business top of mind with others is vitally important. And LinkedIn can help establish you and your company as experts in your field and communicate that message to an audience far beyond your immediate contacts.

Setting up a specific business page in Facebook is also effective. Kevin York with Art4orm did that recently for the new home sale his company promoted for two Portland-area builders. “We just launched our new Facebook page for NewHomeSale.org,” York said, with the goal being “to not only give them information about this large builder sale but to also educate them about the home buying process.”

Angela Todd of Angela Todd Designs uses her Facebook page as another landing spot for her blog posts, utilizing an RSS feed to take the info from her regular blog and post it to her Facebook page. She also uses the Facebook Status Updates to post thoughts, comments and tips on interior design.

Online social media and the tools used to implement them are a new and fast growing part of business marketing and communication. If you feel left behind, don’t, because most are just learning about it and figuring it out. But it can be an important part of every businesse’s coordinated communication plan. So, wade into the social media pool, test out the waters a little. Soon you’ll be swimming right along with everyone else.

Kevin Curry is a partner in Command Consulting. You can follow his online social media in these places:
Company Blog: www.CommandConsulting.com
Personal Blog: www.ThinCurrent.com
Twitter: twitter.com/KevinCurry
Facebook and LinkedIn

FACEBOOK/LINKEDIN TIPS

How do you navigate these growing new medias successfully? Todd and York offer some thoughts:

- Todd: Give credit to the source when you use photos or concepts that aren’t your own. Link to them if it is listed online.
- York: Keep in mind it’s in real time and live to the world. Make sure that you post is clear and concise. Don’t leave anything open for assumption.
- Todd: When you finish a satisfying project, are acknowledged by your peers, win or are nominated for an award, teach a class, make an appearance, or do a non-profit project for goodwill, let your network know. They want to see you successful and they will remember you as a subject matter expert in your field.
- York: Don’t over think it and have fun. Building your network of friends or fans should be exciting.

June PRO Luncheon

Thank you to The Closet Factory for sponsoring our luncheon today and thank you to our speaker Kris Sleeman of Element Design and Strategy.

King of the Grill: Evo flattop appliance

I recently stopped by the Ferguson’s showroom on NW 18th in Portland (which is awsome you should totally check it out) and saw a cooking demonstration of the Evo cooktop.  With summer upon us this would be a great alternative to the traditional outdoor grill for outdoor living spaces.  Plus, they have indoor and tabletop versions so the good times can last all year long.  Read the excerpt below then jump over to their website or walk into Ferguson, BASCO or the NW Natural Appliance Center to learn more.

From Evo Website:

Certain cooking styles (more than others) reveal the wonderful flavor potential of foods- particularly steak, seafood, and vegetables. With Evo’s circular flattop cooking surface you have the ability to sear, sauté, braise, boil, roast, steam, stir-fry, bake, poach, toast, fry and grill. Similar to traditional cast-iron pan cooking techniques, Evo’s large and versatile cooking surface lets you cook foods while highlighting the natural wonderful caramelized flavors of food.

Evo’s cook surface gives you ample room to cook whole pieces of meat or fish. Professional chefs know that sear cooking with high heat caramelizes the natural carbohydrates of food, turning them into flavorful, natural sugars. The contrast in taste between the seared outside crust and the interior makes food more interesting and fun to eat.

Evo’s cook surface also protects food from the negative effects of charring, which is a familiar problem with open-flame barbeque grills. Burning and charring of food is not the same as searing and caramelization. With an open-flame grill, the leaping flames and pulsating heat cause proteins to repetitively contract and relax, expelling natural, flavorful juices. Cooking foods on Evo’s solid plate cooking surface eliminates any chance of food coming into contact with a direct open flame, so you can cook moist, tender meats and poultry without the burn and char.

Additionally, the design of Evo’s cooking surface has a slightly crowned shape that allows cooking juices and liquids to flow from the center to the outside edge and into the drip tray below. This allows you to keep foods separated across the cook surface, and if you’re cooking several things at one time, it also allows you maintain the distinct flavor of each item being cooked. Unlike open-flame grated grills that allow cooking juices to smolder and smoke everything with a universal charred taste, Evo lets food cook in its own juices and provides wonderful natural aroma that enhances the taste experience.