FROM THE TAILGATE Sage advice from the trenches
By Ron Jones
A Time For Change
According to historians, at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention Benjamin Franklin was asked, “What have you wrought?” Reportedly he replied, “… a Republic, if you can keep it.” Just as a reminder, a republic is
described as a state or other political unit in which the supreme power is vested in the whole voting community, which elects, indirectly or directly, representatives to exercise the power. For decades, members of the
general construction and home building industries have looked to trade associations to represent their interests in matters of public policy, rules and regulations, as well as providing information, education, public relations, technical expertise, and advocacy that refl ects their needs and basic positions on important issues of the day. For some time now I have observed
the continual erosion in the trust that members have in these organizations along with their growing feeling of frustration from being disenfranchised and ignored. The situation has been greatly exacerbated by the collapse of the housing market and overall economic downturn of recent years. When I fi rst became involved in active
volunteer industry leadership I was cautioned that the greatest threat to any organization is in becoming what it most despises. In the case of trade associations the target of their disdain takes the form of bureaucracies like the various levels of government, especially at the federal level, that can make things diffi cult for
56 GreenBuilder July > August 2010
their members and impede their ability to pursue business without “outside” interference. But over time they have come more and more to resemble their adversaries.
The existing trade associations are not getting the job done for their members, and it seems in great measure to be from a loss of direction and lack of visionary leadership, as well as from attempting to cast too wide a net, trying to be all things to all people, which eff ectively results in being nothing to anyone. In addition, while the organizations’ claim policies of openness and transparency, the communication seems to be one way and one way only—from the top down. With thousands of companies in our
industry struggling, and in many cases failing completely, many of the existing trade groups have not demonstrated an ability to adapt to changing times and conditions.
The industry has perhaps never been more threatened, and yet I cannot remember when we have had less eff ective representation and assistance. I am suggesting that the time has come
to consider alternatives to the present set of choices. The time is here for embracing the formation of a new “republic,” one which will reset the relationship between those who wish to have their interests represented by organizations and individuals they trust and have faith in. It is time to fi nd a new voice, a voice that speaks an authentic and balanced message, not one that speaks for special interests and constituencies who pull strings from behind the curtain. The status quo will no longer stand and will not provide successful navigation of the modern landscape. A new path to the future of the built environment needs to be discovered, and new guides need to be enlisted to help take us there. GB
www.greenbuildermag.com
James Kegley
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