What we're up to...
GHBA 1st Quarter Report Card—2011 The GHBA staff is always busy looking for ways to improve members services, advocacy and education. Following is a quick look at what the association has been up to over the last three months.
Benefit Homes • Broke ground on first home of the year with Newmark Homes on a lot donated by Caldwell Cos. in Towne Lake.
• David Weekley Homes and The Howard Hughes Corporation – Bridgeland came on board the Project for the second home of 2011, breaking ground in May.
Membership • GHBA added 75 new members since January, and renewed 300+ members.
• We want to remind you about a great members-only program through NAHB— Member Advantage! Member Advantage is an easy way to reduce expenses, maximize profits and increase efficiency. Find exclusive discounts on a variety of products and services that can benefit your business and family. Visit
www.ghba.org for all these money-saving offers!
Events • Forecast Luncheon - Mike Inselmann of Metrostudy was the keynote speaker at annual Forecast Luncheon, speaking to 800 members, guests and a large contingent of elected officials.
• Extravaganza - Not even the freezing rain and ice could able to stop the 2011 Extravaganza and 70th Anniversary Gala. The sold out event was held at the Museum of Natural Science and was the site of the installation dinner for the organization’s new president, Mike Dishberger, GMB and the 2011 board.
• Million Dollar Circle Awards - The Sales & Marketing Council hosted the sold out Million Dollar Circle honoring salespeople, sales managers and brokers who successfully
closed more than $1 million worth of single family detached homes, town homes or patio homes during the 2010 calendar year.
Associate Council • The Associate Council started the year off right with an afternoon mixer at the GHBA with 65 in attendance.
• The council held its first Chili Cookoff with 15 teams registered. It was a huge success with approximately 300 people in attendance. The categories were red chili, green chili, red salsa, green salsa and a Homemade Ice Cream competition to benefit HomeAid.
• In March the Associate Council along with the Sales and Marketing Council held a St Patrick’s Day themed networking event at Kennealey’s Irish Pub.
• The associates held the annual Spring Golf Tournament at Wildcat Golf Club in March, with 30 teams participating. And the weather could not have been better!
Education • During the first quarter, a combined total of 10 members took the BAR & PREP exams, and we held four NAHB classes: Risk Management, Basics of Building, Estimating and Green Building.
• For the first time GHBA offered Homebuilding 101, a new seminar for Realtors, approved for TREC continuing education credit.
It
is the first of a series of seminars being developed for Realtors. We also held the Lead Renovation, Repair and Paint Certification classes with 15 people getting certified.
Government Affairs • On February 23, about 200 GHBA members gathered at the steps of the State Capitol along with the entire Texas Association
2011 NAHB Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Pictured (l to r): Toy Wood, JD, CAE, executive vice president GHBA; Lisa Clark, Ryko Development; Dave Walton, Trendmaker Homes; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee; Ron Martin, Grand View Builders; and Marie Walton.
of Builders (TAB) delegation for another successful Rally Day. GHBA won the ‘Best of Texas Award’ for the largest number of members attending. GHBA also took home the 2010 HomePAC Star.
• Throughout the Session, the GHBA has been working with lawmakers in Austin to ensure that our already fragile industry is not burdened by harmful legislation.
• Total number of House Bills Filed: 5,272 • Total number of Senate Bills Filed: 2,660 • The 2011 NAHB Legislative Conference was also held on March 16 in D.C., and our members brought forward many issues on the federal level to our U.S. Congressional delegation. The issue of AD&C loans was actively discussed and introduced to lawmakers. GHBA members had the incredible opportunity to inform our members of Congress about the 'Home Construction Lending Regulatory Improvement Act,' which addresses the lack of liquidity in the AD&C loan market and allows banks to start lending again. This legislation directs federal banking regulators to issue new guidance specifically addressing key regulatory areas that apply to loan processing. This legislation will free lending institutions from overly restrictive regulations resulting from the recent credit crisis. For more information, visit:
www.nahb. org/
page.aspx/category/sectionID=1831.
• Government Affairs has also been busy with the development and creation of its Session weekly newsletter, which debuted March 29. There is also a new video gallery with political or economic clips of discussions spotlighting our incredible speakers.
• HOME-PAC has been revving up for campaign season by researching and building relationships with local municipalities all throughout the six region area, and attending numerous functions for candidates. Election day for most cities and county seats will be May 14, 2011.
Green Built Gulf Coast (GBGC) • GBGC has continued to grow exponentially with 595 homes registered as of the first quarter. The program has been recently featured in numerous newspapers and magazines and can now be found on Facebook and Twitter. The program has registered in the first quarter its first remodel and first “Silver” home.
GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION – BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE | HOUSTON BUILDER | MAY 2011 27
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