Judy Jenkins HBAM President

Dear Fellow HBAM Members,

It is an incredible honor and responsibility to be your new President. It’s an honor because we are a 50 year old Association with a long and dynamic history. I follow many accomplished and dedicated men and woman. It’s a responsibility because we are in difficult times and we need strong leadership.

But one person cannot lead an Association of almost 1600 members (and climbing!). I am so very excited about working with your other officers- Walt Tomala, our President –Elect represents Western Mass. as its President this year and brings an incredible energy and a good grasp of the important issues facing us. John DeShazo, our Senior Vice President, has been President of BAGB, a leader in the Remodeling Industry in Massachusetts and a well-spoken advocate for all members. Mike McDowell knows building from inside and out and his knowledge of codes and regulations is an incredible asset to us as he assumes the position of Vice-President. Having also served as President of Western Mass he has the experience to get the job done. Rich Gagnon has been our Secretary for a number of years now and he serves Bristol-Norfolk and all members well with his knowledge of IT and websites. He has completely redone out website to be ready for us to start making this the tool it should be for members and consumers. Robin Ward is our dedicated Treasurer again and her enthusiasm and commitment to HBAM and her local, Cape Cod, is invigorating.

But we need you to participate.

Recently we asked for you to join in a letter writing campaign to oppose the Stretch Energy Code. While we did not prevail, the hundreds of members who took the time to send a message were heard. Mention was made of our efforts at the hearings before the BBRS.

We will be calling on you to lend your voice and send a message in the future I am sure. Why? Because we are faced with constant challenges. Let me name a few:

• The Stretch Energy Code
• Assault on Chapter 40B- a probable new effort to repeal this necessary legislation
• Stormwater regulations that are onerous and unfair
• Endangered Species mapping that threatens to make most of the remaining land in the Commonwealth unbuildable and under Natural Heritage jurisdiction.
• Zoning Reform that would eliminate ANR lots

I could go on and on.

We will also be providing you with tools to help your company survive this downturn and come out stronger. We have educational offerings that will help you stand out from your competition.

We are building a program on our website that will enable you to list your company there in one or many categories and areas for a very nominal fee.

We are reaching out to all types of media to get our message out. Recently we met with the Globe and the Banker & Tradesman and have appointments with other media in the coming weeks. Just today a reporter from the Boston Herald called to ask for our opinion on an issue. We can and will be heard. As I said at my installation last week, few voices are but a whisper, but we have the collective voice of a lion if we speak together.

We will help you find the information you need to succeed. I urge every member to sign up for the National Association of Home builders email news.

Go to www.nahb.com and register to get things like “Monday Morning Briefings” and “The Nation’s Building News”. They have the economic stats and outlook and they will be happy to get you the information you need. I can’t tell you how often I quote what I have found on the NAHB website. And it’s not just for builders.

Every member of a local Association, Builder or Associate, is a member of the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts and the National Association of Home Builders.

Take advantage of that.

But also give something back. As Teddy Roosevelt once said:

“Every man owes a part of his time and money to the business or industry in which he I engaged.

No man has a moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere.”

When we need your help, please give it. Please offer your help.

One person cannot do it all, nor can a group of dedicated volunteers like your Executive Committee and others. We will do as much as humanly possible but to do superhuman things we need your help. With that, anything is possible.

I leave you with a challenge. Bring in one member to your local Association this summer.

I have mine. Do you have yours?

I’ll be in touch soon. You can count on that. But tomorrow I’m having wrist surgery so it may not be until next week.

Have a great weekend. Maybe the sun will come out.

Judy Jenkins

HBAM President.