There are some exciting changes to the 2009 SPIKE Club, NAHB's recognition and incentive program for individuals working in membership recruitment and retention.
1) All RETENTION credits will be TRIPLED in June!
2) Double Credits for New Council Members Beginning in June and running until December 31, 2009, NAHB will double all new Council member recruitment credits. If you are a member of a council, reach out to others to join.
3) 2009 Amnesty for Spike Credit Losers According to the rules of the Spike Club program to become a Spike member, an individual must earn 6 Spike Credits within two consecutive years and to retain that Spike status a minimum of 1 credit (new or retention) must be earned each year until a total of 25 credits have been earned, which triggers Life Spike status. For individuals that do not earn 6 credits by December of their second year of recruiting, all credits from the first year are forfeited.
However, the NAHB Membership Committee has recently approved a temporary amnesty for all Spikes in this situation and will allow them to keep their credits and maintain their Spike status providing these individuals participate in one or more of the "Credit Savers" put forth by the Committee – these “credit savers” are activities that will allow the individual to maintain their credits. The Spikes in question will receive a letter directly from NAHB notifying them of their status and outlining this program.
Credit Savers are ...
Recruit at least 1 new member by October 31, 2009
Collaborate with local EO on a retention-based outreach program targeting current members
Collaborate with local EO on lapsed member reinstatement outreach program
Provide NAHB with a testimonial appropriate for use in membership marketing materials
4) Spike Club Spot Awards
This NEW spot award program recognizes two high performing individuals each quarter with highly customized prizes. For instance, during the first quarter of 2009, the Spike Club awarded Tasha Soto of Raleigh, N.C. for her “Outstanding Reliability as a Recruiter,” meaning she recruited the most new members during each month of the first quarter, and we will recognize her with a luxury spa getaway in Hilton Head, N.C. Congratulations Tasha! Similarly, Clark Johnson of Frisco, CO, earned a fantastic package for “Greatest Impact on His Local” meaning that he recruited the largest number of new members relative to his local association membership size making the greatest impact on his local association. Clark is off on an adventure mountain biking vacation to Moab.
One of the two second quarter Spot Awards will be earmarked for the individual making the greatest impact on retention this June. (See #1 above)
5) Spike Hero Ribbons
Is there are hero in your membership? You’ll know there is when you receive the NEW very special Spike Hero Ribbon denoting your special recruiter’s outstanding year to date achievements for rapid recruitment in 2009. These new campaign-themed ribbons will be sent quarterly to locals for distribution to the individuals within their membership who have earned 6, 10 and 20 Spike Credits since January 1, 2009. Heroes wanted!
6) Fall Double Credit Recruitment Campaign
This fall NAHB will be hosting yet another 3-month credit-doubling super drive during September, October and November on an OPT-IN BASIS. You must sign up to receive double credits. Stay tuned for details on how to opt in and the finer points of this campaign which will include a) assigned competitors, b) prizes, and c) 3 month end call bank dates with a detailed Web tracking page denoting the achievements of every participating local HBA.
NCHBA leadership and Government Affairs staff wishes to thank members for taking the time to come to Raleigh last week and lobby members of the General Assembly on behalf of the home building industry. Our legislative reception on Tuesday night was well-attended and legislators commented on how nice it was to visit with so many of our members. Having good food and drink didn’t hurt either! NCHBA members were very successful in meeting with their representatives and senators on Wednesday and were very helpful in lobbying against the expanded franchise taxes, as that provision had just been inserted into the budget the previous night.
Be sure and check out the August issue of North Carolina Builder for our legislative day wrap-up.
The N.C. Building Code Council delayed a vote at its meeting Tuesday that would have limited arc fault circuit interrupters in houses to only bedrooms. The vote will be delayed until the September 15 meeting of the council.
Builders Mutual Insurance Company is pleased to announce that John Boggs has been named President and CEO. Boggs is the successor to John Q. Beard who announced his retirement earlier in the year.
“Replacing the excellent leadership provided by John Beard is a formidable task, but we are quite fortunate to have the internal management talent such that our company will continue on sound and steady direction with John Boggs,” stated Rick Judson, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “His overall grasp of the business, sensitivity to policyholders needs and awareness of the unique family culture at Builders Mutual will serve to make him a success.”
For the last five years, Boggs served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with Builders Mutual and has more than 30 years of experience in accounting and the insurance industry. Prior to joining Builders Mutual, Boggs served as a Senior Consultant with Dean Consulting, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in the insurance industry, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for London Pacific Life and Annuity Company, Vice President of Agency Compensation, Premium Services and Annuity Administration at American General Life Insurance Company, Controller and Vice President of Agency Services for Sun Insurance Services, Inc., and Assistant and Associate Controller for Financial Reporting at Integon Life Insurance Company.
The STARS awards program honors builders, associates, realtors, advertising professionals and many others who make major contributions to the residential home building industry. Enter your favorite projects, and then join us for an evening of excitement on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at the Hilton Charlotte Center City Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Please note that category numbering has changed slightly this year, with the addition of a brand new category - Best Internet Marketing/Advertising Project - to the marketing and advertising section of the program. Also, pricing has been reworked for the Single Family Detached Home and Attached Home Plan categories.
Entries will be accepted now through July 31, 2009. Don’t be left out of this exciting event! Enter today!
North Carolina bank Citizens South has been a leader among lenders when it comes to working with builders and AD&C loans. The bank used its TARP funds to make low interest loans to customers of its current home builder customers. Instead of forcing repayment, the banks went further into business with the builders and now both sides are winning.
NAHB is hosing an audio seminar “Making Lemonade with Lenders: Positive Responses to the AD&C Loan Crisis,” June 25, 2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT, that will discuss the bank’s efforts, provide further examples and recommend strategies and messaging that participants can use to discuss AD&C lending with lenders, government officials at the local, state and national level, and local media.
This audio seminar has valuable content for:
• Bankers at the local, regional and national level—Speakers will illustrate ways to deal with increased regulations and strategies for maintaining relationships with long-time customers.
• Builders and remodelers from small to large volume—The seminar will show effective ways to communicate with banks and possibly get more funding.
• Suppliers and NAHB associate members—The program will provide vital information on how the AD&C lending crisis is changing the relationship between banks and builders.
Speakers
• Chellie Hamecs, Assistant Vice President, NAHB Housing Finance Department - Hamecs will provide background information on the issue.
• Scott Meyer, Federal Lobbyist, NAHB – Meyer, a specialist on financial services legislation, will provide an update on the latest actions by Congress, regulators and banking institutions as well as effective lobbying tips.
• Kirk Hartley, Sales Manager, Builder/Renovation division, Bank of America Home Loans California - Hartley will provide the perspective of an NAHB member and representative of a lending institution.
Moderator
• Karl Eckhart, Political Director, NAHB - Eckhart will provide strategy and messaging for builders to effectively relate their experiences to local government officials so they can, in turn, apply pressure to local banks.
After the presentation, participants will be able to ask questions of the expert speakers. E-mail advance questions by Friday, June 19 to .
The registration fee for “Making Lemonade with Lenders” is $79. One registration fee per phone site enables as many people as can fit in a room to participate.To register, visit www.nahb.org/ADCLoanAudio. Registrants also will receive free online access to the archived seminar after June 25.
For more information, please contact Karl Eckhart at or 800-368-5242 x8126.
Registration for the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference (21CBEC) in Charlotte Sept. 16-18 is officially open. 21CBEC is one of the fastest growing regional builder shows in the nation, with attendance projected to surpass 5,000.
If you are a builder, remodeler, realtor, subcontractor or anyone else involved in the home building industry, you don’t want to miss this chance to see a large array of products and services by the industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers. In addition, a three-day educational conference includes a line-up of more than 50 general session seminars, North Carolina Builder Institute courses and NAHB University of Housing classes ranging from “Green Building” to “Thriving in Times of Uncertainty.”
Why should you sign up now?
Get free admittance to the Expo floor. Simply register before Sept. 15, and you can visit the exhibit hall filled with more than 350 exhibits showcasing products and services for FREE!
Have your pick of the more than 50 general session seminars, NCBI courses and NAHB courses. Act now ... courses such as those needed to fulfill the Certified Green Professional designation fill up quickly!
Get a discount on a full delegate badge, which includes conference lunches, Expo floor access and unlimited general session courses.
Be registered to win a 4-day, 3-night stay at the Amelia Island Plantation in Amelia Island, Florida.
The Charleston Trident Home Builders Association and the Sustainability Institute are joining together to bring the first Green Educational Conference and Tradeshow to the Charleston region. Atlantic Green will be held June 19-20 at 10 StoreHouse Row in the Navy Yard at Noisette.
The Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association is offering both NAHB courses required to achieve the NAHB Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation. Green Building for Building Professionals will be offered June 22-23. Cost for members is $395 and $445 for nonmembers. Business Management for Building Professionals will be offered June 24. Cost is $195 for members and $245 for nonmembers. Both classes will be taught by Tom Gotschall and will be held at the UNCW Madeline Suite. For more information contact Tyler Newman at (910) 779-2611 or .
The Home Builders Association of Charlotte is offering the required courses for members pursuing the NAHB Certified Green Professional designation. Green Building for Building Professionals will be offered June 22-23 at a cost of $395 for members and $445 for nonmembers. The Business Management for Building Professionals course will be offered June 24 at a cost of $195 for members and $245 for nonmembers. The courses will be held at Ryland Homes, 3600 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28273. The last day for registration is June 15. See flyer for registration information.
The Green Home Builders of the Triangle is offering the Green Building for Building Professionals class Aug. 31 & Sept. 1 in Chapel Hill. The class is one of two courses that is required for the Certified Green Professional designation and will be taught by Michael Chandler of Chandler Design-Build. Fees are $325 for members of the Green Home Builders of the Triangle; $350 for HBA members; and $425 for nonmembers. Click here for the registration form. About the instructor:Michael Chandler has been building solar and green homes for over 30 years. His company’s projects have been seen in Fine Homebuilding Magazine and Natural Home Magazine. Michael also has a blog on GreenBuildingAdvisor.com.
FHA Tax Credit Monetization Helps Home Buyers With Upfront Costs
First-time home buyers who would otherwise qualify for the $8,000 tax credit, but don’t have the money for a down payment or closing fees, may now be able to get a loan to help cover those upfront costs.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on May 29 that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will allow state housing finance agencies to provide second mortgages "monetizing" the tax credit so that borrowers can use the funds toward their down payments and closing costs for the purchase of homes with FHA-insured mortgage loans.
“This is great news for thousands of families who want to take advantage of today’s low interest rates, competitive prices, great selection and the federal tax credit that is only available until Nov. 30, but could not save enough money for a down payment and closing costs,” said National Association of Home Builders Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. Click here for the entire article.
Green Act The Right Approach For Affordable, sustainable Homes, Says NAHB
In testimony before Congress today, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) praised H.R. 2336, the GREEN Act of 2009, which sets new green building and sustainability benchmarks for properties that get financial assistance from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.
But NAHB President Jerry Howard also left members with a warning: H.R. 2454, the other major piece of climate change legislation now before Congress, includes requirements that conflict with H.R. 2336 – making the GREEN Act obsolete before it’s even signed.
“I am hopeful that this Subcommittee will be able to restore the balance necessary to truly incentivize green building and preserve affordability as the debate over climate change continues,” Howard said. “It would be terribly disappointing to see the good faith effort and collaborative work on the GREEN Act displaced with unworkable federal mandates as envisioned in H.R. 2454.” Click here for the entire article.
The STARS awards program honors builders, associates, realtors, advertising professionals and many others who make major contributions to the residential home building industry. Enter your favorite projects, and then join us for an evening of excitement on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at the Hilton Charlotte Center City Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina.
