You don’t have to be a Democrat to know the wisdom of this Tip O’Neill noteworthy quote, “All politics are local.”
We think about things happening (or not) in Washington, D.C. Certainly huge issues are at play in the Capitol – Dodd-Frank’s impact on manufactured housing finance or the publishing of the SAFE Act’s Final Rule being among them.
But day by day, we have issues at play on zoning commissions, at the county seat or state capitols as well. I wonder how many Industry pros compare the batting average of the state associations or manufactured housing community associations with that of the national associations.
Let’s stress that this is NOT a competition. MHI needs the states, and the states need MHI. While their membership structures are different, MHARR could (and sometimes does) play a role in some state or local matters.
As I read emails or take comments from industry pros who are NOT association members, I wonder or ask:
- Do you keep tab on what is happening in your state?
- Do you track the important work being done day by day in your state?
It is in the interest of all concerned to see and understand the important work that state associations and area manufactured home community (MHC) associations are doing routinely. These groups are often led by very able professionals, with a keen sense of commitment to the Industry.
We want to encourage state and area MHC associations to share their news with us. The more that Industry pros, in or out of associations, see all the good that associations do, the more support associations should merit.
We already get news from state associations. These are posted under association news. It is worth noting that one of our most accessed pages monthly is our associations page.
The now defunct Manufactured Home Merchandiser Magazine used to run a column called the Grassroots Report. This was a helpful column that often brought keen insights you could get no other way.
We have ideas on how to resurrect that grassroots report feature and make it even better. We want that pro-state and local association news and views feature to be a part of our new website format. That new look and feel to MHMSM.com – soon to be rebranded as MHProNews.com – should be in place before the end of the summer.
What about correct twice daily? Those who do not admit or understand the import or value of associations need to see the evidence. If even a stopped watch is right twice daily, can’t we admit that while no association is perfect, that each association does good things on behalf of their members?
Associations aid this process by sharing their news with the public at large. Using our planned ‘remake’ of ‘the Grassroots Report’ will give your state or area MHC association the ability to prove your worth routinely.
With over 60,000 /visitors (readers) last month, the facts are that your members are reading here already. Non-members are surfing here too. So why not broaden the web of association support and thus the power of potential grass roots activity?!
We all need to be fair minded. Intellectual honesty and objective thinking are critical in these days.
Understanding the value and daily work accomplished by state and area MHC associations will make membership retention and growth a reality. Those who toss stones from the outside at associations should see how they are and can be a voice for positive change.
It is harder to build something up than tear something down.
Since we mentioned a famous Democrat, let’s mention a famous Republican for balance.
Ronald Reagan said, we do not need a new third party. What we need is a revitalized second party! That takes invitations, information, inspiration and inclusion.
We will share your information and news, when you share it with us. That is what our newstip email is about:
All comments are ‘off the record’ – anonymous – unless we mutually agree otherwise.
This resource will give you an opportunity to reach people you would not reach otherwise.
Through engagement in your state and/or national association, you have the opportunity to be part of an organized voice for protecting, promoting and enhancing professionalism on the part of the manufactured housing industry.
Let’s be intellectually honest. It is easier and wiser to build the bridge to the future together than solo.
It is better to build a bridge than to blow one up.
Be informed.
Be involved.
That’s our take, based on input and feedback from those in and out of associations.
What’s yours? ##
