ADVOCACY

Bottom: Ian Beaton, Labor Masters, Moorhead City Councilman Chuck Hendrickson and Moorhead Government Affairs Director Lisa Bode visit during this year's HBA New Year Celebration.

Facing page:

Home builder and state legislator Ben Koppelman approached his HBA when he learned the North Dakota Electric Board was considering codes that would be problematic for builders.

HBA Membership Is Leverage by Mark Puppe, Communications & Public Affairs Strategist

When asked “Why did you join HBA of Fargo-Moorhead?” members tend to answer, “Networking.” The wisdom in that decision cannot be questioned: HBA provides builders and trade partners a treasure chest of opportunities to meet counterparts from every corner of the industry. Those contacts often evolve into business partnerships that increase profit potential. Members see results right off the bat.

Membership also provides another influential network that is generating benefits that members might not see, but directly experience. The benefits are continuous and result from the network HBA engages to collectively promote and protect business interests. Members deserve to know how belonging to the HBA generates results beyond appearing in the directory.

PROACTIVE LOCAL RELATIONSHIPS

HBA works directly with local government officials, building authorities and policymakers in other states. These relationships ensure that state borders do not compromise community or industry growth. " The working relationship between the HBA of F-M and area cities - not just Moorhead - is based Lisa Bode, government affairs director for the city of Moorhead, on the foundational explains why this collaborative approach functions well: “The understanding that our working relationship developed between the HBA of F-M and goals are the same. area cities - not just Moorhead - is based on the foundational LISA BODE understanding that our goals are the same, even when our perspectives are different. This approach advances both community prosperity and business success. We all win!”

WELL-CONNECTED

Home builder and state legislator Ben Koppelman approached his HBA when he learned the North Dakota Electric Board was considering codes that would be problematic for builders. HBA engaged the North Dakota Association of Builders; a statelevel builders organization consisting of six local associations.

Kim Schneider, NDAB chief executive officer explains the effectiveness: “Members from around the state participated in a call with Rep. Koppelman, a call to action was sent to local associations and the legislative rules committee members were contacted. Those contacts made the committee aware of our concerns and ultimately opened up discussions. It was the collaboration and dedication of members from local associations across the state that made it a success!”

HBA’s advocacy network provides members leverage in code discussions. For example, the Association caught wind about energy code changes being proposed by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. HBA partnered with Housing First Minnesota and other building associations to challenge the changes because their return on the increased cost to comply would have been slight. HBA of F-M’s collaboration provided members the leverage to convince a judge to advise the commissioner to postponing rulemaking.

“Sometimes in policymaking, having the better argument isn’t enough and it takes a broad collation of organizations to get an initiative across the finish line,” explains Housing First Minnesota Director of Research and Regulatory Affairs Nick Erickson. “The recent partnership on the residential energy code is the perfect example of what the housing industry can accomplish when it puts up a united front.”

The list of victories and connections goes on, but these successes demonstrate how HBA members are networking and benefiting beyond the business partnerships that HBA membership delivers. Advocacy is member-driven, collaborative and often unknown, but never subject to weather.