At GHBA, we believe that fostering relationships and professionalism in the residential construction industry is central to the work we do on your behalf. Our councils, committees, divisions and staff are hard at work, making sure we get back to a full calendar of classes, programs and events to bring our industry together. Time and again, our members tell me that they always get more than they give, when they participate in GHBA.
I hope that in 2022, you’ll consider making a resolution to become involved in GHBA in a way that supports your business and your professional growth. In case you are unsure where to start, I’ve compiled a brief refresher on some of our most popular GHBA communities. If you are interested in getting involved, just contact a staff liaison or reach out to our membership department to help you find the right fit for your business.
Ambassador/Membership and Retention Committees – Looking for an opportunity to both network and receive recognition? Join the Membership Committee! The committee focuses on locating and recruiting prospective members. The Ambassadors Committee focuses on welcoming all new GHBA members to the association. The Retention Committee works to keep memberships from lapsing and ensure that members are receiving the full benefits of their membership in GHBA. These committees are a great way to meet and network with lots of members.
Advertisement
Associate Council – The Associate Council hosts near monthly luncheons and events to support relationship building between associate and builder members of GHBA. The Associate Council is made up of vendors, suppliers, trades, Realtors™, mortgage lenders and more.
Bay Area Builders Association – If you do business in the coastal region south of Houston, it’s essential you get involved with BABA! BABA works closely with local city officials to ensure new laws and regulations are not detrimental to the building industry and keeps its members informed of important updates. They also host the annual fishing tournament.
Benefit Homes Committee – Every year, one or more benefit homes are constructed to help fund contributions to HomeAid Houston and Operation Finally Home, as well as support GHBA’s work on behalf of the industry. In 2021, the Benefit Homes program allowed donations of more than $100,000 to each of GHBA’s official charities! We work with developers, builders and trades to donate as much as possible for the construction of a market-rate home. All profits from the sale of that home go to the Benefit Homes program!
Community Developers Council – Membership in this council is open to any developer member of the GHBA. Members in related fields, such as engineering and land planning, may also find the council meetings useful. The council is active at the state, municipal, and county levels monitoring legislation, regulations, and ordinances that affect the development community. The council is proactive in reviewing and offering input to various government entities on specific issues.
Custom Builders Council* – The Custom Builders Council offers a forum to discuss the challenges faced by small volume builders while providing members with hands-on information they can incorporate in their everyday business activities. Issues and opportunities addressed include contract standardization, education programs, political updates, builder/Realtor™ relations, codes and standards, and cooperative purchasing.
Education Committee – The Education Committee focuses on GHBA’s educational seminars and programs like the “ABCs of Homebuilding” and bringing in trainers and speakers to help improve local members’ professional education. In 2022, they are working to launch additional designations to help support our local builders, remodelers and industry partners.
Government Affairs Committee – Together we work to protect our industry from over-regulation by monitoring codes, ordinances and legislation that directly impacts the homebuilding industry, and by communicating directly with elected officials and policy makers. The committee works closely with the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) on state issues and has direct contact with the 42 state legislators in our area, as well as county and city officials. Although the program’s primary focus is at the state and local levels, the committee monitors and provides input on federal legislation and agency activity directly to our federal officials and through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Green Built Gulf Coast – Green Built Gulf Coast (GBGC) is a voluntary green building program in which all association members can participate. Whether you are a builder, a remodeler, a developer or an associate offering green products, there is a place for everyone. Under GHBA’s green building program, Green Built Gulf Coast (GBGC), the program is an adopting entity of the National Green Building Standard™ ICC 700, the first American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved residential green building program in the nation.
HOME-PAC* – The political action committee of the Greater Houston Builders Association, is an essential part of GHBA’s advocacy program. HOME-PAC directs financial support of the homebuilding industry and is committed to protecting housing affordability and consumer choices. GHBA’s HOME-PAC empowers our members to help shape the political environment and elect candidates who will support our industry’s goal to provide Texans the opportunity to realize the dream of homeownership. Trustees and Sustaining Members are invited to join their elected officials at special events throughout the year at no additional cost.
Remodelers Council* – The GHBA Remodelers Council (RMC) is an organization of remodelers and industry associates. They are dedicated to the promotion of excellence and professionalism within the organization, and public awareness of the Remodelers Council. They achieve this through education, certification and service to the membership, industry and the community. Join RMC to attend informative monthly luncheons and networking events and stay on top of the issues impacting your business.
Sales and Marketing Council* – The SMC is committed to the education, motivation and growth of its membership—those who represent the epitome of professionalism in the marketing, merchandising, and sales of new homes. The council consists of GHBA members who are dedicated to the professional sales or marketing-related disciplines of the industry, including new home sales and those who support the activity of new home sales. The SMC includes employees of home builders, developers and associate members.
Volume Builders Committee – The Volume Builders Committee serves as a focus group for industry issues, provides a voice to our small/large volume builders, and is a way to communicate public policy and other initiatives to this group. Committee participation is limited to volume builders only.
Young Professionals Committee – The Young Professionals Committee is a group of emerging industry professionals. They typically get together for networking and educational programming two to four times a year.
Changes to Councils and Committees for 2022:
Northern Counties Builders and Developers Division – Formerly known as the Montgomery County Builders and Developers Division, the new name for this division better encompasses the territory North of I-10 that this group’s professionals serve. If you work in Northern Harris County, Liberty County, Montgomery County, Waller County or beyond, this group is for you. In 2022, this group will shake up their typical schedule by rotating networking, educational luncheons and other events.
Professional Women in Building Council* – GHBA’s newest council is a community supportive of opportunity for women in our industry. Membership in the local PWB also includes membership in the National Association of Home Builders’ PWB Council. And, don’t let the name fool you! Men are welcome to join PWB, too. The council will begin hosting events on February 15 with an Iron Chef-style kitchen competition to foster relationship building among the group’s members. They will then meet quarterly for educational programs and networking. Check out page 12 for photos from PWB’s signing day kick off in December.
Workforce Development Committee – GHBA’s newest committee is focused on supporting the next generation of workers for our industry. Committee members help facilitate relationships with school districts, community colleges and non-profits working to train students. There will be opportunities in 2022 for committee members to speak to students in career and technical education programs and to advise educators on the skills that our industry needs.
This list does not include many working groups and subcommittees that help carry out important advocacy, events and community partnerships. Please check www.ghba.org for the most up to date details on upcoming events and many more opportunities to get involved and serve.
* indicates that there may be an additional cost to join this group.
About the Author
