Fund Brings Executive Officers to Board Meeting
The first event sponsored by the Education Fund Scholarship Program of the Executive Officers Council (EOC) was an unqualified success, bringing 29 executive officers, 27 for the first time, to NAHB’s legislative conference and spring board of directors meeting in April. “Executive officers are the primary link between NAHB and its grassroots members, so it is crucial for them to be familiar with the many services and resources that are available from NAHB,” said Jerry Howard, executive vice president and chief executive officer of NAHB. “By investing in our EOs we are helping them do a better job of serving members’ needs and thus increasing the value of membership in the federation.” The first order of business for scholarship recipients arriving in Washington was an introduction to the key services that are available from NAHB and a tour of the National Housing Center. Co-sponsored by the Affiliate Services Department, this allowed the EOs to meet NAHB staff members with whom they work on a regular basis. During the remainder of the week, the scholarship recipients lobbied members of Congress on key industry issues; attended educational programs; participated in EOC, NAHB committee and board of directors meetings; and networked with their peers. “Having the chance to visit with executive officers from other parts of the country brought light to issues and challenges that our association faces here in my hometown,” said Elaine Marcinek, a scholarship recipient and executive officer from the Helena Building Industry Association in Montana. “Not only did I benefit from the experience, but Helena’s membership will benefit as well.” The scholarship program will continue to be used to provide the association’s executive officers with professional growth and development opportunities. Ninety-eight scholarships have been awarded to EOs to attend the EOC Seminar — the premiere educational opportunity for building industry association executives — which will be held in Big Sky, Mont. in August. Stay tuned for information on scholarship applications for upcoming events, including: the NAHB Fall Board of Directors Meeting, the National Conference on Membership and the State & Local Government Affairs Conference. For more information on the scholarship program, NAHB members can click here, or contact the EOC at 800-368-5242 x8176. | 
