Constructive disruption

Sometimes, it seems the only thing we can count on is change. It's a part of our lives, and we see it everywhere. Some people complain change happens too slowly. Others struggle to address how quickly change occurs in our businesses or families. But in the end, we often come away from change surprised at how much better we are for it. No one wants change forced upon them, but most people relish the opportunity to be part of constructive change.

I use the word constructive deliberately. Change requires disruption, which can be constructive or destructive. The good thing is we get to choose how to change ourselves and the environment in which we work.

Organizations change, too, and NRCA is in a period of constructive disruption. We are looking at virtually everything we do. We study data. We ask questions. We look at history. We make decisions based on our discoveries, and we move forward. We disrupt the status quo and are determined to do so in a constructive manner. There are two specific areas of disruptive change I want to stress here.

The first is the need we see for a trained, and more important, certified workforce. It's long past due for the industry to rally behind the idea of certifying the workers we have trained. Certification communicates accomplishment and offers assurances to consumers. Maybe most important, certification authenticates and demonstrates value to our workforce in a different way. It's important and timely, and we continue working on developing and delivering this change to the roofing industry, taking the time to do it right. And NRCA's Executive Committee is properly funding the program to ensure its success.

The second disruptive change is how we advocate for ourselves. NRCA long has had staff lobbyists working on your behalf in Washington, D.C., yet their work can only go so far. Industries that get enthusiastically engaged in advocacy do so much better and are exponentially more effective than those that solely rely on paid staff.

To that end, NRCA and its many industry partners are calling on roofing professionals to go to Washington, D.C., March 6 and 7 and put a human face on our efforts. Having spent six years of my life in Congress, I fully know the power that personal effort has on moving a member of Congress. We need as many of you as possible to commit to attending Roofing Day in D.C. 2018 and to stand up for yourself and your industry. It's more than past time to do it. I invite you to go to www.nrca.net/roofingday and register to attend. Join hundreds of fellow roofing professionals from all industry segments, and let's make our voices heard.

I have invited a special friend to speak to Roofing Day in D.C. 2018 attendees Tuesday, March 6—Director of Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney. Mulvaney is responsible for overseeing the $4 trillion U.S. budget, which includes the maintenance of thousands of buildings owned by taxpayers. Mulvaney is a personal friend, and I admire his acumen and quick wit. He is a terrific, engaging speaker. This is an event you do not want to miss.

Constructive disruption. No place on the planet needs it more than our nation's capital. No one is more prepared to bring it than you. See you there!

Reid Ribble is NRCA's CEO.
@NRCA_CEO

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