In January, I had the privilege of once again attending SBCA Chapter meetings. Having participated in meetings for many years as WTCA/SBCA staff, it was funny to think I was now calling in as an SBCA member. In the past, I spent 13 years working to support members, and now I was a member too! Attending the meetings took me right back to conversations I had over the years and problems we addressed together.
Finding the Right People
The conversation that struck the deepest chord with me happened at the Alabama Chapter meeting. The members began discussing how difficult it is to recruit workers into our industry. Everyone agreed, you can give presentations at high schools, tech schools, and community colleges, but more times than not you feel like there is no reward. You try to entice these students with facts about good jobs in a terrific industry, and you wonder how you can get through to them. But sometimes, there is a connection. Sometimes, you do reach your audience, if only for a while.
Making the Connections
The conversation reminded me of Bob Becht. As we were all sad to learn, Bob passed away in November. In his heyday though, he was a force to be reckoned with in South Florida. I remember that, for a time, he had made a good connection with the Indian River Community College. He had made that link that everyone wants – a connection with an instructor that leads to a room full of students who are actually paying attention during a conversation about truss design. The catch, however, is what happens to everything in life – it’s only temporary. The whole process is cyclical – whatever grows in popularity will eventually fade in popularity. What’s important though is trying. Whether or not it’s a success at any given moment is not the point. You have to keep trying to make the connection, because the value is well worth it when you succeed.
Coming Together in the Chapter
The wonderful thing about chapters is that they can bring together competitors and unite them for a common goal. A room full of people struggling to stay in business can still discuss the day’s issues and offer solutions toward their mutual progress. The solutions may or may not work, but at least they’re trying. At least sometimes they hit the winning combination, connect with the right instructor, educate the right inspectors, agree to the optimal plan of attack.
In chapters, you may not get along with everyone on every issue. You may not be the kind of friends who would ever socialize in another setting. That reminds me of Bob Becht too. Through all of his years in the business, Bob worked with folks who really liked him as well as folks who really did not. But that happens to all of us – some people connect with us and others learn to tolerate us. No one can deny, however, that Bob was a powerful figure as a business leader, as a Chapter President, as Membership Committee Chair, as WTCA President. Bob knew a lot about fighting the good fight, and South Florida won’t be the same without him. Rest in peace, Bob.