Building Success: The Spike Club and the Power of Community in the Housing Industry

What is a Spike? A Spike is an individual who, through his or her recruiting and retention efforts, builds a strong association membership base and strengthens the housing industry as a whole. In 1953, the National Association of Home Builders created the Spike Club to recognize and reward those members who are responsible for recruiting, involving and retaining members. Because we realize that Spikes are very special members, Tulsa HBA has established a local Spike Club. To become a Spike, you must earn six Spike credits. Credits are earned by bringing in new members and retaining current members.

On September 12, 2023 at the Charles Gilmore Legacy Awards, we celebrated a man with over 300 Spike points. Not only is he a member of the HBA, but he has recruited many people to the HBA and continues to grow his business through his membership in the HBA. Frank Sawyer is a husband, father, entrepreneur, Eagle Scout, engineer, business owner, second-degree Black Belt, HBA member, and Spike Club member. He and his wife have renovated homes for forty-three years. They have started more than one business while raising three children, and Mr. Sawyer has been with the HBA since 1992 with Associated Mortgage Corporation then a small gap, rejoining in 1996. His current companies include NuReDo Media and Select Outdoor Solutions, and like most entrepreneurs, he has had other businesses over the years. Frank’s involvement in the HBA has helped him grow his businesses over the years while supporting the HBA membership with his dedication to recruitment.

He states: “I remember clearly when I first decided to start recruiting that to hit six new members seemed daunting. But, to become a Spike sounded like something I could be proud of accomplishing. It's kind of like one of my 36 merit badges back in Scouts. But, like most things I do, I just kept on going and going. Along the way, I set other goals, like Life Spike at 25. Then, my first 100. At some point I realized I was passing HBA members that had been around a lot longer than me. I think right now there are only three above me on the local list, and I’m not done yet.”

Once you have a conversation with Frank you can see his drive and passion for growing his businesses as well as the membership of the HBA. When asked what is the best thing about the Spike Club he said, “I went into business to help people. Joining the HBA has helped me grow my business and help a LOT of people. Being a Spike is one of my ways of giving back to the HBA (as well as volunteering on TRC). Of course, Spike Club events help you hang around with the other ‘cool kids’ and celebrate jointly not only our recruiting efforts but our long-standing friendship.”