Concrete Associations - What Makes a Great One?
Posted on Thu, Aug 19, 2010 @ 01:29 PM
Don't know what you think, but there's a few things that stand out to me when I look at state concrete associations around the country (as well as national level concrete associations). The traits I count as most valuable include:
- Strong member involvement. A large percentage of the state's producers are members, and they are involved with the activities of the associations.
- Opportunity for involvement. Easy as it sounds - ways for members to get active through the association.
- Strong programs across the board. Promotion. Technical. Environmental. Educational. The whole gamut.
- Strong leadership. The best associations seem to have outstanding personnel at the top, who are skilled in both administration and organizational leadership.
- Exciting programs at the forefront of the industry. As examples, showing leadership in the type of educational and certification opportunities presented to their members. This includes strong programs in pervious concrete, LEED education, sustainability, and other cutting edge topics.
- An active membership. This is easily identified - how many members participate in the programs and activities of the association. Is it most, or just a few?
There's a lot of good state concrete associations in this country, and I'm a member of many of them. Two in particular that stand out to me are the Carolinas Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the Tennessee Concrete Association. Bill Arent and staff do a great job in the Carolinas, and Alan Sparkman is as good as they come. As a result, the associations they represent are among the best I've encountered, and there's some good ones out there (in fact, nearly all do an outstanding job). I'm a member of both associations, and they are truly a joy to work with and outstanding advocates for the concrete industry.
Want to mention your State concrete association as one of the best? Post a comment here and let me know who and why - I'm always eager to hear about great state concrete associations.
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