MEMBER SERVICE STRUCTURE
As MBSA continues to evolve in services, first-class programs, and collective knowledge, it has become clear to the Board of Directors and professional staff that the greatest benefits to our members are the ones that can be delivered conveniently, which often means locally. With the joining of forces of two states, the geographical area of membership has essentially doubled. This, then, creates the challenge of being effective as an association, while also being “up close and personal”.
This is especially important when delivering critical professional development programs. Many associations, as well as for-profit companies, bridge the distance gap with the use of web-based delivery, as in webinars and other technology-driven delivery systems. While these are a great element of an overall educational and meetings strategy, they don’t, by themselves, fill the need. Members are social, and they have a need to occasionally gather in person; essentially, great professional networking doesn’t occur from behind a computer screen.
So, here’s the overall goal – to create a structure for delivery of member services – led by actual members – in limited, manageable areas of geography. By having a knowledgeable member volunteer in each of the designated six Districts in Indiana and Michigan, the environment is created that would foster:
- Improved, more personal communication from Association leadership to members;
- Convenience of events in the Districts, eliminating hours-long drives to these events;
- Faster response to critical needs of members, especially in compliance-related issues;
- Increased effectiveness in recruitment and retention of members;
- The association becomes more “personal” to the members, and not just a logo on a page, or a disembodied voice on the telephone.
THE DISTRICTS OF MBSA
The two-state area represented by MBSA is divided into 6 Districts; three in Michigan, and three in Indiana, as follows (from north to south):
- DISTRICT 1
(Michigan) – The counties of Keweenaw, Houghton, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Baraga, Iron, Marquette, Dickinson, Menominee, Delta, Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac, and Chippewa - DISTRICT 2
(Michigan) – The counties of Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Charlevoix, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Mason, Lake, Osceola, Clare, Gladwin, Arenac, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Midland, Bay, Huron - DISTRICT 3
(Michigan) – The counties of Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, Montcalm, Ionia, Gradiot, Clinton, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Genesee, Sanilac, Lapeer, St. Clair, Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Jackson, Washtenaw, Wayne, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe - DISTRICT 4
(Indiana) – The counties of Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Lagrange, Steuben, Starke, Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, Whitley, DeKalb, Allen, Newton, jasper, Pulaski, Fulton, Benton, White, Cass, Miami, Wabash, Huntington, Wells, Adams, Carroll, Howard, Grant, Blackford, Jay - DISTRICT 5
(Indiana) – The counties of Warren, Tippecanoe, Clinton, Tipton, Madison, Delaware, Randolph, Fountain, Montgomery, Boone, Hamilton, Vermilion, Parke, Putnam, Hendricks, Marion, Hancock, Henry, Wayne, Vigo, Clay, Owen, Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Rush, Fayette, Union - DISTRICT 6
(Indiana) – The counties of Sullivan, Greene, Monroe, Brown, Bartholomew, Decatur, Franklin, Knox, Daviess, Martin, Lawrence, Jackson, Jennings, Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio, Gibson, Pike, Dubois, Orange, Washington, Scott, Jefferson, Switzerland, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Spencer, Perry, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Clark
THE DISTRICT DIRECTOR
This unique member service structure requires six main volunteers, known as District Directors, to accomplish the mission. The District Director can be a retail member or an associate member, and is appointed by the President.
Basically, the association needs these motivated and energetic individuals to engage the following:
- Assist the headquarters staff in communicating association events, membership benefits, programs, and other items of interest to MBSA members;
- Communicate specific member needs to staff for action;
- Maintain a roster of firms in the District who qualify for MBSA membership, but haven’t yet joined, and share that roster with staff;
- Host one District Meeting per year in your District
- Attend an annual District Directors Summit
To assist the District Directors in their leadership roles, the MBSA Headquarters staff will back up the DDs with support in:
- Acquiring speaker(s)/educator(s) for District Meetings
- Site selection and facility contracting, if needed (complete meeting planning services)
- Marketing the District Meeting to the members in the District
- Registration and tracking functions for events
- Mailing/communication services
- All office operations needed
- Any other function/system/task requested by the District Director
In essence, the Headquarters staff is at the ready to support these critical volunteers in any way they need, in order to make their volunteer role not only effective, but enjoyable as well.
THE BENEFIT TO THE DISTRICT DIRECTOR
The volunteer District Directors themselves will gain additional leadership experience in their chosen industry, building materials. On top of that, they will develop meaningful relationships with the members in the District, both retail and associate.
District Directors must be members in good standing of MBSA, and can be in any membership category; retail dealer, or manufacturer/wholesaler/supplier (associate).
NEXT STEPS
The next series of steps in creating this new reality for MBSA is relatively simple, and consists of:
- Filling out the online interest form, and setting up a time for you to have a chat with Tim Murphy, MBSA’s Chief Staff Officer.
- Participating in the District Director education event (1 day)
- Begin enjoying the great camaraderie and fellowship with your MBSA members!
