NRCA Resources

A message from NRCA President Reid Ribble

I recently entered into an online discussion on www.rooferscentral.com with a roofing contractor from Chicago who was considering not renewing his NRCA membership because, as he explained it, when he joined he received "great stuff" but at renewal all he got was his membership card. After a series of exchanges, I realized his question was not about getting things but about whether his membership was actually valuable to his company.

I have traveled throughout the U.S. during the past 12 months visiting with state and regional roofing contractor associations, manufacturers, architects and roof consultants, and I frequently am asked about NRCA's value proposition and why I donate so much time. The short answer to those questions is I believe NRCA matters.

The beginning

On Oct. 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire caused catastrophic damage to the city in terms of loss of life and property. The city needed to be rebuilt, and roofing contractors were in high demand. Out of this tragedy came the need for roofing contractors to share materials, equipment and manpower. Out of that need came the association that now calls itself NRCA.

What happened in Chicago is that circumstances caused roofing contractors to realize that collectively they could accomplish more than they could individually. I think about those early leaders and what they started. Now, more than 100 years later, many of the same reasons the original members came together still exist. The circumstances have changed, but the need to "associate" is even more important now.

The value proposition

Roofing contractors have many issues to face every day—not the least of which is profitability. A defining purpose of NRCA is to help its members improve their bottom lines.

In June 2005, I asked NRCA's Executive Committee a question: "What does NRCA do that makes its members' lives and businesses more profitable, fun and easy?"

What I wanted to hear was the defining value proposition for members. But the problem was the answer to my question depended on who supplied it. Here are some of the comments:

"NRCA provides the best educational programs in the roofing industry."

"NRCA has three full-time staff members in Washington, D.C., working every day on behalf of my company and all roofing contractors."

"NRCA provides easy access to the leading technical experts in the roofing industry."

"NRCA brings roofing contractors together so they can learn best practices from each other. The networking benefits are tremendous."

"NRCA produces Professional Roofing magazine, a reliable source for industry news, technical information and business tips."

"NRCA leverages its size to put on the largest roofing convention in North America."

"NRCA represents roofing contractors at ASTM International, before building code bodies, manufacturers and roof system designers."

"NRCA, through its Web site, has access to more than 400,000 roofing consumers each year, directing those consumers to NRCA member contractors."

"NRCA produces the leading technical documents in the roofing industry."

This list reflects just a few comments of the many that were discussed during our two days of meetings. I realized there is no single answer to my question. Each comment provided a significant value to the person sharing it.

Revealing questions

Contractors have asked me why NRCA needs five full-time technical staff personnel. When I explain that during the past year, NRCA technical staff responded to more than 2,300 telephone calls for technical assistance, attended ASTM International meetings, completed numerous technical publications, conducted testing on TPO membranes, completed the joint Midwest Roofing Contractors Association/NRCA fire test work, and made presentations at numerous state and regional roofing contractor association meetings, the questioner often reveals he had no idea NRCA is so actively involved. And the questions keep coming.

Why do we need three staff people in Washington? Why do we spend so much time and resources on education? Whenever I address these questions, I remind the questioner that NRCA is a nonprofit trade association led by volunteer roofing contractors who determine the resources necessary to achieve NRCA's goals.

And I usually get the question, "Why are dues priced as they are?"

NRCA contractor dues range from $725 to $8,750 per year depending on a company's annual sales revenue. The cost per dollar of revenue is not even 1 cent. In fact, it's not even 4/10 of 1 cent.

How much would it cost you to hire industry experts like those employed by NRCA? Most members are unaware NRCA has two architects and two licensed engineers on staff. NRCA also employs, according to Fortune Small Business, one of the 50 most influential lobbyists in the U.S.—Craig Brightup. Bill Good, NRCA's executive vice president, has been cited countless times by various industry groups and associations as one of the premier association executives in the U.S.

In addition, NRCA employs experts in education, risk management, print media and communications. All NRCA employees are available to help you run your business more profitably. I am not aware of any other roofing association or manufacturing company that provides the level of expertise that can be found at NRCA. I ask the question again: How much would it cost you to employ experts like the ones I just mentioned?

When a member understands that for as little as $60 per month he has access to the types of services I mentioned and supports the advancement of his industry, the value proposition becomes clear. Regarding the contractor in Chicago who wondered whether he should re-new his membership in NRCA, I responded in the following way:

"Associations bring together people and businesses with common interests for the greater good of everyone. The roofing industry is made up of many types of businesspeople. Some never see beyond themselves; others admittedly might be too idealistic and altruistic but understand that with others they can accomplish more than what they could independently. NRCA has spent the past 119 years compiling information about products and services, sharing best practices, representing industry issues in Washington, publishing the leading technical documents in the industry, representing contractors before building codes councils and ASTM International, and providing education to facilitate roofing contractors' profitability. I admit not everyone will find value in these things, but usually, what members get out of an association is what they put into it. Here's my suggestion: renew and get involved. You may learn some things from others that can help you or maybe you can help others. It's what associations do. And all these things cost money. That's what your membership dollars pay for. Do you ‘get stuff' each year? You bet!"

Upcoming NRCA events

February

17
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
Las Vegas
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

21
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
Los Angeles
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

22
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
San Francisco
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

28
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
Hartford, Conn.
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

March

1
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
Buffalo, N.Y.
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

7
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
Indianapolis
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

8
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
Little Rock, Ark.
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

9
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
Lincoln, Neb.
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

14
Ask the Expert—Energy Awareness: Taking the lead on energy-efficient roof system design
Online
Contact: Janice Davis
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7505
Education/Q & A session discussing the design and installation of energy-efficient roof systems

15
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
Charlotte, N.C.
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

16
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
Charleston, S.C.
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

17
SpecRight: Energy-efficient Roof System Design
Chicago
Contact: Janice Davis
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7505
Learn how to help your customers save money by lowering their energy costs

23
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
Des Moines, Iowa
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

24
OSHA-sponsored Train-the-trainer Safety Program
Billings, Mont.
Contact: Michele Biesiada
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7534
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to train employees in roofing safety

27-30
Performance Technology for Roof Systems
Orlando, Fla.
Contact: Janice Davis
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7505
An interactive roofing technology course

31
Maximizing the Life of Your Roof: Implementing a Roof Asset Management Program
Orlando
Contact: Janice Davis
(847) 299-9070, Ext. 7505
Learn the proper procedures to best manage your roofing assets

Project Recovery

In 2001, NRCA partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). This alliance led to the creation and launch of "Project Recovery," a program designed to help roofing professionals become involved locally in the search for missing children.

According to NCMEC, one in seven missing children is found when someone recognizes a child's photograph and notifies law enforcement. With Project Recovery, participating contractors and manufacturers place on their service vehicles 18- by 24-inch (457- by 607-mm) magnetic posters with photographs of missing children. The posters, which are designed and provided by NRCA, also include biographical information and contact information for when a child is seen. Many posters have age-progressed photographs, as well, to help people recognize a child as he or she may look now. If a child is found, NRCA will send a "FOUND" sticker to place over the poster to keep the community updated about the success of the program.

Participating contractors and manufacturers are asked to reimburse NRCA for the cost of the posters, which are about $30 each. NRCA also currently is seeking program sponsors for Project Recovery to help cover the cost of distribution, administration and promotion.

There are three sponsorship categories. Primary sponsors donate $1,000 and receive 10 posters, as well as press releases and additional communication about the program. Primary sponsors also are included on the program's letterhead. Supporting sponsors contribute $500 and receive five posters. Sustaining sponsors donate $100 and receive two posters. NRCA also welcomes any contributions of lesser amounts to support this program.

For more information, please contact Candice Thomas, NRCA's communications assistant, at (800) 323-9545, Ext. 7527, or cthomas@nrca.net.