President's Message

IBA's 2008 President, David Compton

Dear Friends:

John F. Kennedy made an enduring statement: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” That quote became a famous call to service for the youth of America in a newly created government agency, the Peace Corps. Now some 45 years, I make the same request of the nearly 7,000 members of the Indiana Builders Association. We face difficult times today and in the near future as an industry. Your input, experience and dedication to the industry and the state association are more important now then ever. We are facing challenges all on fronts.

Three of these challenges are in the following areas: membership retention, mentoring and governmental affairs. I issue a call to action on all three.

Membership Retention

Last year, the Indiana Builders Association had its greatest year ever in membership growth. We grew by over 1,100 members to a new record of over 7,000 members statewide.

This year is the year of retention. Reach out to the new members and take them to a local meeting, involve them in the local governmental affairs committee, tap their business and management expertise to mentor younger associate and builder members in a time of need, swing a golf club for your local PAC or favorite charity or simply buy them one of their favorite beverages and just say “thanks” for being part of the association.

When times are tough, we all want to be amongst friends and make a difference. Reach out and make sure each new and current member in our local associations knows how much we appreciate their membership and want their ACTIVE involvement in the local and state builders association.

Mentoring

I have been in this business for 20 years come April of 1988, and I feel fortunate to have had so many great mentors in the business: Bob Thompson, Bill Carson, Ray Good, Guy Whiteside and John Hart Sr. just to name a few.

Although not all of our mentors are still with us today, I challenge the senior leadership in each of the 32 locals to reach out and seek the help of those who survived and have thrived since the last major turndown in the late 1970s. This is an invaluable resource that we must tap to survive in the next 12 to 24 months in our industry. I strongly encourage each local to sponsor a dinner gathering with a panel composed of former IBA presidents from your area as well as others who survived and thrived during the last big turndown. Their expertise will be critical to our current members. I would be honored to be invited for an evening to listen to the great minds in our industry.

Governmental Affairs

Not since John Hart was in the Indiana legislature have we seen such a profound proposed change in the state of Indiana property tax system. As an industry, we can either sit by the sideline or be involved in the solution.

If you have not signed up to be a part of voterVoice and receive weekly updates on what is going on in the Statehouse, do so now. Your state representatives and state senators need to hear from you now.

We can be a part of the solution in shaping tax policies for decades to come in the state of Indiana. The last major tax reform was over 30 years ago. Be a part of something that will make a difference. Help protect the homebuilding industry for your children and your grandchildren. Get involved today and leave your mark for the future.

Big challenges face us and our industry. But remember, for to whom much is given, much is required. I encourage each of you to step forward, raise your hand and accept the challenges we have in front of us.

I believe in ALL of you and appreciate the opportunity to serve you along side my fellow senior officers in the year to come. God bless and have a safe and prosperous new year.