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Join a group today
Dick Snow (The Daily Reporter asked one of the state's foremost experts on construction organizations, Dick Snow, retired executive vice president of the Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee, to describe the role associations play in the growth of the local industry.)
The very nature of the industry has placed its many trade associations in the forefront of progress in the ever-burgeoning growth of construction.
Simply put, the construction industry consists of fragmented interests. For self-protection, the many construction firms band together to accomplish objectives they could not afford to accomplish individually. The bonding occurs in areas of labor relations, technology, education and training, and public affairs.
It was more than 20 years ago when we sat down one day and did one of those exercises with an easel and a large pad of paper listing construction-industry problems by type of work. We discovered in recapping the results that more than 80 percent of the problems were common to all segments of the industry.
Circling the wagons
Probably the biggest single problem lies in constantly attempting to recruit more unaffiliated firms into their appropriate trade associations. The wider the circle of wagons, the more effective a trade association will be.
But try recruiting someone who says, "I don't have to belong to 'XYZ' as long as there is one." Alas, there will always be those folks who forego membership because:
- The dues are too high.
- They have a distaste for legislative activities.
- They have a lack of interest in association programming.
- They can do better on their own handling workforce problems.
- They don't want to be bound by labor-relations agreements.
- They want to keep their techniques to themselves.
The naysayers remind one of ostriches - their heads are buried in the sand while their backsides are exposed.
The plain fact is that the construction industry is better for the myriad trade associations and professional societies.
And a great deal of the credit for the effectiveness inherent in these fraternal entities lies with those professionals who serve as chief operating officers. The COOs are the glue, the bonding agent, holding the membership together as well as moving them forward in the problem-solving areas.
There are several points vis-a-vis membership in a trade association or professional society that should be taken into consideration by those firms and/or individuals who remain aloof:
- One only gets what he pays for.
- The construction industry, fragmented as it is, is easily the most regulated, and involvement in legislative activities is a must.
- Training of workers and management, safety education and practice, technological advancement and frequent contact with others in the business are vital because of the movement of personnel within the industry.
- Everyone deals with labor relations, and that includes the nonunion companies. Federal and state Davis-Bacon requirements on government jobs level compensation for workers. Then there are certain industry standards to be met by individuals, whether it's the licensing requirements for architects and engineers or educational requirements for constructors.
Be a joiner
We are indeed fortunate in Wisconsin to be able to embrace some very top-notch special-interest groups in the construction industry.
Conversely, we decry those firms that and individuals who do not take advantage of the opportunities inherent in participation in the work being done by construction associations and professional societies. We quote the articulated words of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt:
"Every man owes a part of his time and money to the business or industry in which he is engaged. No man has a moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere."
So join the group of your choice and stay tuned!
Dick Snow, the ultimate insider, has been a leading figure in Wisconsin's construction community for decades. We, and Mr. Snow, invite your response. Call us at 414-276-0273, ext. 112, or
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