As I was saying …

NRCA's nominating committee, composed of the five most recent NRCA presidents, met in early January to conduct its annual task of developing a slate of officers and directors who were formally elected during NRCA's 123rd Annual Convention Feb. 20-24 in New Orleans.

Nominations are solicited (and encouraged) from affiliate associations, suppliers and members. Often, directors are chosen after they've had a chance to be involved with association matters, such as serving on a committee or, more recently, participating in NRCA University's Future Executives Institute.

What is remarkable about this process for NRCA is there is no shortage of qualified people who want to serve. Those in the association community frequently talk about the difficulty volunteer organizations have attracting people to serve. And this is arguably the worst roofing market many of us have experienced. So how do we account for this?

First, I think, is the fact NRCA's volunteers are put to work. They are not given token assignments; rather, NRCA board members are asked to serve on committees and task forces where much of the association's work is done.

Second, we have no shortage of issues. NRCA's Government Relations Committee, as you might imagine, has never been busier. NRCA's Health and Safety Committee is anticipating changes from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. And technical committees are heavily involved with building codes and standards as new technologies gain market acceptance. The list goes on.

Third, NRCA offers the unique opportunity for noncompeting peers to work on issues of common interest. Working together leads to the development of friendships, the sharing of information and, in some cases, more formal business relationships. This is true not only among roofing contractors but among roofing contractors, manufacturers and distributors.

The first step of getting involved is to let NRCA know you're interested in serving. NRCA's next president, Allen Lancaster, president of Metalcrafts Inc., Savannah, Ga., will make committee appointments this spring. Let him—or me—know of your willingness to get involved. Tell us your areas of interest. And as those who have served before will tell you, almost unanimously, you will receive more than you give.

Bill Good is NRCA's executive vice president.