President's Message

I don’t know where to start with my report on the International Builder’s Show. If you have never been there, think of it as the biggest home show you can imagine, then multiply it several times. The show is huge. There is more to see than you could possibly get to in a few days. There was much of the “same old”, but also a lot of new and exciting products for homebuilding. Some of the highlights include updated CAD systems for designing and estimating, soft ware for sub-division design, luminous Corian, new methods for treating lumber for decking and fencing, composite fencing systems, innovations in lighting, patio blinds, HVAC and other new home applications. It was my first international show, and I would encourage all of you to get to one of these shows. Next year the IBS will be going back to Las Vegas.

Thank you to Vince DeMarco, our accountant, for his presentation at the February meeting. As usual, Vince came to us with a wealth of tax information and advice, and delivered it in his casual, humorous style. He fielded a bunch of questions from members with their own tax concerns.

I hope you are planning to join us for our Meet the Builders night on March 12th. Although it’s called Meet the Builders, we really want our elected offi cials to meet and get to know ALL of our members. Our presentation to them includes the work that all of our associate members do to support the homebuilding industry. It is our first time trying this, and it should provide us with some great face-to-face time with several local government officials. We have invited all of the mayors and town supervisors from Niagara County to have dinner on us, and learn who we are and what we do. Th e meeting is at the Hideaway in North Tonawanda, and we can always count on a great meal there. Let’s have a great turnout for this important event!

NYSBA has just announced the 2008 New York State Builders Show. It will be in Albany on September 11 & 12, and they have plans to continue to make the show bigger and better. Feedback from 2007 show attendees was very positive. For the golfers among us, the outing on Th ursday, September 11 will give you the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the top builders across the state, play one of the best country clubs in the Albany area, enjoy some great food and fellowship, and help the state’s Build-PAC. Let’s get a contingent of NCBA members to go to Albany and participate in the show.

Speaking of Build-PAC, we received word that they made a donation to our State Senator George Maziarz last month. Build-PAC is NAHB’s Political Action Committee, which raises funds to support pro-housing candidates. Your donation to Build-PAC helps our national organization go to bat for the homebuilding industry.

Next Meeting

Date:	Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Place:	The Hideaway Grille
Address:	399 Division Street, No. Tonawanda
Time:	5:30 pm Board Meeting 6:30 pm Cocktails (cash bar) 7:30 pm Sit Down Dinner
Program:	"Meet The Builders" Niagara Co. Mayors & Supervisors invited $25 per person

IMPORTANT! PLEASE RSVP 693-5736 to Cathy by Friday, March 7th to let us know if you will attend. THANK YOU!

Meet The Builders Night

The March NCBA meeting is one of our most important meetings of the year. Please join us, as we have invited the mayors and supervisors of all the cities and towns in Niagara County for a Meet the Builders event. We plan to make a brief presentation to the elected officials to let them know who we are and what we do, and have a dialogue with them to see how we can work together to make Niagara County a better place to live, work and build a home. Th e meeting is at the Hideaway in North Tonawanda, and we can always count on a great meal there. Call Cathy today to confirm your attendance at this critical meeting.

The Big Hunt

NAHB’s Membership Day is May 20, 2008. They have a list of incentives for you to sign up new members. All members who bring it at least one new member will be recognized. In addition to the prizes for the campaign, members will receive double Spike points for any new member you sponsor during May. Look through your list of subs, vendors and support businesses and see how many of them you can invite to join. Membership is the lifeblood of any organization. You can help to build the NCBA by signing up one or more new members. Mark your calendar to target May as Membership Month, and start working on those prospects, so we can have another surge of growth like we did in 2007.

Industry Day

Our third annual Industry Day is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at the Seneca Niagara Casino Hotel. This show was originally planned to alternate between Buff alo and Niagara Falls, but participants and sponsors from last year’s event were so happy with the facilities at the casino that they decided to stay in Niagara Falls this year. Industry Day is a one-day “trade only” event that gives companies an opportunity to display their goods and services directly to other businesses in the homebuilding industry. There will be displays, demonstrations, seminars, committee meetings and more. Rooms will be available for classes and workshops. If you want to conduct a workshop call the NCBA office today to get details. Display space is only $300 per 10’ X 10’ booth. The NCBA is a joint sponsor with the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association. Details on speakers and meal costs will be available soon.

NCBA Officers & Directors

Legal Action Fund Makes Litigation Less Painful

Did you know there may be help available for NCBA members who are faced with legal issues? The NAHB’s Legal Action Committee works with members and property owners on the advancement of land use and environmental cases before the United States Supreme Court and lower federal and state courts. The committee also administers a Legal Action Fund, which assists with solid cases that are either of national signifi cance or deal with a common problem among builders and developers. The committee meets three times each year to review applications. Their next meeting is May 2, 2008, during the Spring Board meeting. The application deadline for this meeting is Wednesday, March 19. More information is available at the NAHB website – www.nahb.org.

Calamar Receives National Award

Congratulations to Ken Franasiak and the folks at Calamar! Ken recently returned from Las Vegas with a prestigious award from the Tilt-up Concrete Association. Calamar’s office building at 3949 Forest Parkway in Wheatfield was recognized for its design and functionality. The 31,000 square foot complex was built using the CON/STEEL concrete tilt-up system. Only 40 projects were recognized nationally.

Member Benefits

Remember that your NCBA membership provides you access to several member-specific opportunities through NYSBA’s Endorsed Programs. If you go to www.nysba.com and search the Endorsed Programs tab you will fi nd information about the New Home Buyers and Remodelers Warranties, managed by 2-10 Home Buyer Warranty, Payroll services from USA Payroll, Member Rebate Program, managed by NYSBA’s Builders Management Services (NYSBMS) and several insurance programs, including: SSA Health Insurance; Defi ned Benefi t Plan (Health) from M-One Financial; Workers Comp Safety Group insurance, managed by Risk Management Planning Group; Builders Risk, managed by Warwick Resource Group; Property, Auto, Inland Marine insurance, managed by Commercial Coverage. Our association benefi ts when you buy through one of the endorsed vendors. Once a year we receive a rebate check, based upon our members’ involvement in these programs.

The NAHB also has several money saving programs available to members through their Member Advantage program. Savings on GM vehicles, computers from Dell, delivery services from UPS and DHL, car rental from Hertz, office supplies from Office Depot, payroll services from Paychex and more are all available through Member Advantage. You can access these opportunities on the NYSBA and NAHB websites, or call our office and ask for a brochure to be mailed to you.

Educational Opportunities

NYSBA’s Research and Education Foundation administers educational seminars and training programs to qualified builders throughout New York State on the benefits of ENERGY STAR, the New York State Energy Conservation Code, the New York State Building Codes and on Building Sciences. These courses are designed to enhance and promote better building practices. Several of these educational seminars will be offered in Rochester in March. Check out the list and see how quality training can benefit you and/or your staff.

• March 17 & 18 - two one-day seminars for Building and Marketing Strategies for Aging and Accessibility
• March 18 & 28 - First Step courses for the CGR & CGB Certifi cations
• March 19 - Business Management for Building Professionals
• March 20 & 21 –Customer Service and Sales & Marketing

The popularity of these courses has increased dramatically with builders across the state. Since NYSBA started offering these NAHB training courses in 2004 the program has grown from 4 classes the first year to 70 classes in 2007. The Rochester HBA is offering these courses now so you can take advantage of them before the busy construction season. Check out the course descriptions at www.nysba.com.