NUCA Jumpstarts Volunteer Engagement

During the recent NUCA Fall meetings in Vancouver, British Columbia, attendees received a first-class tour of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers’ new state-of-the-art world headquarters. For me, the impressive part of the tour was a demonstration showing buyers from around the world participating in a live auction via the Internet. Of course, the big advantage of online bidding is that one can join in live without the expenses associated with travel and time away from the office, jobsite or other competing activity.

Recognizing that NUCA members highly value their time and money, especially in the current challenging economic climate, the timing was perfect to improve the scheduling and content of our important committee meetings and construction market forums. Beginning immediately, we will more actively incorporate conference calls, web conferencing and other communication technologies into our committees and forums, where valuable knowledge is shared and important policy decisions are made.

We will simultaneously reinvigorate our face–to-face meetings, which are vital to building cohesive and effective workgroups and professional networks. Committees and forums will now meet at least once annually for a full or half day, instead of three abbreviated meetings in the past, allowing our volunteers to dive deeply into crucial details and comprehensively address substantive industry challenges. Committees and forums will also meet at the time and place of their choosing, adding new flexibility to the mix, opportunity for field trips or specialized presentations and additional cost and time savings. Committee and forum meetings will no longer overlap, thereby eliminating scheduling conflicts.

We are in the process of implementing the new structure for 2010. Whether your interests lie in political action, lobbying, safety and risk management, contract documents and specifications, technology, craft training, site work, treatment plant construction or any of the other subjects covered by our committees and forums, you will see and experience a mix of face-to-face meetings, supported by conference calls and web conferences. Each committee will tailor its meeting schedule, format and location to best suit their own needs and maximize value — to develop their own “DNA.” Of particular note, the new structure will open participation to all members and not just those who are fortunate enough to travel to the face-to-face meetings.

All told, these changes will strengthen our committees, create a renewed sense of esprit de corps among our volunteers and management, and will produce better results for the association and industry. Details are being ironed out right now as we prepare to roll out the new format in 2010 — so be on the lookout for our future committee meeting announcements and get ready join in our efforts to enhance our industry.

Executive Briefings for EXPO ’10 Attendees

As a part of the structural change, NUCA’s standing policy committees will present “Passion for Excellence Management Briefings” in lieu of the typical committee meeting at Utility Construction EXPO ’10, January 10-13, at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel in Lake Buena Vista,. FL. Attendees will hear brief presentations on timely issues and concerns being addressed by the committees. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to see for yourself how NUCA’s committees are working for you!

See you at EXPO!


     Lyle Schellenberg