Susquehanna Builders Awards & Mentions
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As an active member for over 15 years, Venema is heavily involved in every aspect of the association, and at all three levels. For his local association, West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association, he has served as President, Vice President, Life Director, Personnel Committee Chair, PaCAH Trustee, and more. Venema is also a PBA Past President (2011) and has served as the NAHB State Representative. His determination to grow the association's membership was cited as one of the many reasons he was nominated for this award.
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Keystone Builder Magazine
Keystone Builder Magazine - Read as Ray recounts his own history in the home building industry, and - as the 2011 PBA President - shares his vision on how the Pennsylvania Builders Association can best serve its members and partners."It is PBA's responsibility to find a way to bridge the gap with them, especially since membership now spans three generations [Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y] and each generation has unique expectations from PBA." ~ Ray Venema
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One Team One Voice
We Made A Difference
We Made A Difference
Was the story of H.B. 377 a textbook demonstration of how pulling together as a team and speaking with ONE STRONG VOICE can make a big difference or what?? Wow. There was so very much at stake for our industry and the removal of the sprinkler mandate was a much-needed win.
For all of you who stood up and did something in this fight – thank you. You truly made a difference. PBA staff working the legislature often report in on what the lawmakers are communicating to them. Sometimes they hear that our legislators are being pounded by the opposition. That’s when staff reaches out to the PBA membership and requests that we take action and make sure our collective voice is heard. Nothing has the power to move our lawmakers like their constituents, and they DO want to hear from us. For those of you who act when you get those alerts, thank you for not just sitting on the sidelines.
I would also like to point out that this much-needed and well deserved victory would not have been possible without some core members of the team in place. The PBA Codes Task Force with Dan Wise at the helm was integral to the planning and direction of our strategies, the Governmental Affairs Committee, our highly competent and persistent Governmental Affairs staff, our committed staff running things back at PBA headquarters, and an impressive array of coalition partners: Modular Building Systems Association, Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, Pennsylvania Residential Owners Association, Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, Eastern Building Material Dealers Association, Code Officials Alliance of PA, National Federation of independent Business.
We need to continue to speak with one voice and multiply the strength of that voice. Let’s keep the momentum going. If ever there was validation that together we can make a difference, this is it. Ther is more that needs to be done and with you help, we can do it. Never forget how critical your participation is. By being a part of the grassroots effort, by support PaCAH, you are helping to bolster our industry and provide a better future for all Pennsylvanians.
Do you know others in the industry that should be PBA members? More members equal a stronger voice and more clout, so check your contacts and make sure they know the story of HB 377.
For all of you who stood up and did something in this fight – thank you. You truly made a difference. PBA staff working the legislature often report in on what the lawmakers are communicating to them. Sometimes they hear that our legislators are being pounded by the opposition. That’s when staff reaches out to the PBA membership and requests that we take action and make sure our collective voice is heard. Nothing has the power to move our lawmakers like their constituents, and they DO want to hear from us. For those of you who act when you get those alerts, thank you for not just sitting on the sidelines.
I would also like to point out that this much-needed and well deserved victory would not have been possible without some core members of the team in place. The PBA Codes Task Force with Dan Wise at the helm was integral to the planning and direction of our strategies, the Governmental Affairs Committee, our highly competent and persistent Governmental Affairs staff, our committed staff running things back at PBA headquarters, and an impressive array of coalition partners: Modular Building Systems Association, Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, Pennsylvania Residential Owners Association, Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, Eastern Building Material Dealers Association, Code Officials Alliance of PA, National Federation of independent Business.
We need to continue to speak with one voice and multiply the strength of that voice. Let’s keep the momentum going. If ever there was validation that together we can make a difference, this is it. Ther is more that needs to be done and with you help, we can do it. Never forget how critical your participation is. By being a part of the grassroots effort, by support PaCAH, you are helping to bolster our industry and provide a better future for all Pennsylvanians.
Do you know others in the industry that should be PBA members? More members equal a stronger voice and more clout, so check your contacts and make sure they know the story of HB 377.