Name:    John D. Hamrick, Jr., CWCA, CBIA

Company:   Greenpoint Insurance Group

Position: Insurance Agent with “Certified Workers Comp Advisor” and “Certified Builders Insurance Agent” designations

How Long in Business: 13 years

Spike Credits:  329.5

HBA:   High Point Area Builders Association, Greater Greensboro Builders Association

HBA Involvement:  Former NCHBA membership chairman, High Point Area Builders Association Associate of the year, HPABA membership committee (Former  Chair), golf committee, associates council, former state director; Greater Greensboro membership committee member.

 Nickname:   Hammer

 Children:   3; Jack 8, Noah and Samantha 6 (twins)

 Favorite Food:  Anything that’s not moving or doesn’t grow in shade…really.

Favorite Movies:  Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Phenomenon, The Untouchables, The Fugitive, Field of Dreams, Coming to America

 Favorite Magazine:  North Carolina Builder, June 2006 Issue

 Ideal Vacation:  Skiing at Deer Valley Resort or laying on a Caribbean beach

 Last Book Read:  Who Moved My Cheese

 Hobbies:   Coaching soccer, playing drums and percussion, snow skiing, golf, BMW racing (before children)

 Pets:    I have an aquarium that does not leave hair on my couch

 First Job:   Bookkeeper at Central Savings Bank in High Point

 If you had 15 minutes in front of the NCHBA membership, what would you say about membership recruitment/retention?
 
Membership recruiting and retention are the lifeblood of any organization and the NCHBA is no different.  Don’t make the mistake of assuming that someone else will extend an invitation to a prospect to join, or that someone else will make the effort to make someone feel welcome.  One person cannot equal the sustaining power of a whole local association.  Be that active member that gives a person the reason to join the builders association and stay.  Be the one that encourages a new member to get involved because they see you involved, and don’t be shy about what you do for the association.

So many times when talking about membership with a prospect, I am quizzed about what the association can do for them.  I reply that one should consider what they can add to the association so that it becomes stronger.  A strong association has unlimited benefits for its members.  The NCHBA and affiliated associations provide opportunities for community involvement, social interaction, professional growth, vocational education and just a general sense of belonging.  After all, who wouldn’t want to belong to a top organization and be recognized for their affiliation with that organization? We are often judged by the company we keep and I’m proud to be judged by my involvement in an association that does so much on such a broad scale for North Carolina.  You see, it’s what I do for the association that makes the association work for me.

Over the past ten years or so, I have made business contacts certainly, but more importantly, I have made deep and lasting friendships that are spread across this whole state.  Recently, I ran into someone that I originally met in the High Point Area Builders Association.  He is now in an unrelated business, but the friendship remains and is built on the same interests and values shared through membership.  So maybe we don’t just invite someone to join the NCHBA, rather we invite them to be our friend and share something that is mutually important.  Membership is not to be taken lightly, for with it comes great reward and great responsibility.  No one person can do this alone.  Working together is how this association is continually being built.  This is one building job that should never be completed.  When the time comes for me to pass my torch, I hope that I  have prepared a number of people to take it and that my certificate of membership is deemed “suitable for framing”.  So go out today and invite your business friends to become closer friends.