NRCA's partnerships are valuable, helping to efficiently serve its members and the
roofing industry. The association's partnerships flourished during 2007-08.
NRCA once again partnered with Hanley Wood to hold the 2008 International Roofing
Expo (IRE) and NRCA's 121st Annual Convention Feb. 19-23 in Las Vegas. IRE's trade
show had about 9,000 attendees and 1,060 booths with 442 exhibiting companies. The
convention included educational programs, and NRCA recognized its newly elected
slate of officers for 2008-09. Other events included NRCA's Member Luncheon, NRCA's
Final Banquet, the National Roofing Legal Resource Center Breakfast, ROOFPAC sporting
events and IRE's keynote speaker, Archie Manning.
NRCA's Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing is a separate 501(c)(6) organization
that promotes the development and use of environmentally responsible, high-performance
roof systems. Located in Washington, D.C., the center endeavors to advance innovative
solutions to energy and environmental challenges by coordinating and encouraging
objective research; serving as a repository for environmental information; expanding
market opportunities; participating in science-based advocacy; and coordinating
environmental standards and codes.
Firestone Building Products Co. LLC, Indianapolis, committed $1 million to the center,
and a Firestone Building Products representative serves on the center's board of
directors. Other donors include Carlisle SynTec Inc., Carlisle, Pa.; Tremco Inc.,
Beachwood, Ohio; GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J.; Sika Sarnafil, Canton, Mass.;
D.C. Taylor Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Nations Roof, Bridgeport, Conn.; Advanced Green
Technologies, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; DRI Cos., Irvine, Calif.; Tecta America Corp.,
Skokie, Ill.; and William Wallace Collins LLC, Berwyn, Pa.
NRCA continues to work with Rebuilding Together® during its Kickoff to Rebuild
event each year, when volunteers rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners
in conjunction with the Super Bowl. NRCA and Rebuilding Together and its 235 local
and state affiliates also provide roof system repairs for service members, veterans
and military families through two new partnership programs-Heroes at Home and Serving
Those Who Serve. Both programs focus on making necessary repairs, improvements or
modifications to veterans' and soldiers' homes.
NRCA's Affiliate Executives Council is a forum for NRCA affiliate executives, allowing
them to exchange information and ideas and become more involved in NRCA while also
improving communication. The council met twice to address issues and voice opinions
regarding matters being considered by NRCA's board of directors and committees.
In addition to NRCA's partnership with the Roofing Contractors Association of California
and Mid Atlantic Roofing Contractors Association, it also has formed partnerships
with the Kentucky Roofing Contractors Association (KRCA), Arizona Roofing Contractors
Association (ARCA) and New Mexico Roofing Contractors Association (NMRCA).
NRCA and KRCA agreed to promote membership in both associations. NRCA offers rebates
to roofing contractors who are members of NRCA and KRCA. With KRCA's assistance
and approval, NRCA publishes and distributes a quarterly newsletter for KRCA members
and helps with the newsletter's advertising sales. NRCA also maintains KRCA's financial
records; develops, hosts, maintains and manages content for KRCA's Web site,
www.krca.org; and conducts a one-day educational conference
of KRCA's choosing in Kentucky each year during the agreement.
As part of NRCA's agreement with ARCA, NRCA conducts two one-day educational seminars
per year for ARCA; holds an orientation meeting at NRCA's offices for a person or
persons of ARCA's choosing; and advises ARCA in advance of all planned NRCA events
in Arizona. NRCA also consults with ARCA whenever possible about political issues
arising in Arizona and political candidates from Arizona NRCA is considering supporting.
NRCA and NMRCA agreed to promote membership in both associations. NRCA offers discounts
to roofing contractors who are members of NRCA and KRCA; holds an orientation meeting
at NRCA's offices for a person or persons of NMRCA's choosing; works closely with
NMRCA in the development and promotion of any publicly offered educational program
NRCA offers in New Mexico; and helps NMRCA promote attendance at any of its own
educational programs. NRCA also consults with NMRCA whenever possible about political
issues arising in New Mexico and political candidates from New Mexico NRCA is considering
supporting.
The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress, which was established within the National
Roofing Foundation to create an endowment fund to serve as a highly focused resource
for the roofing industry and its customers, created the Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship
Program to replace its current scholarship program. The scholarships will provide
recipients with $5,000 per year for enrollment in accredited university or vocational
programs. Eligible participants must be employees of NRCA member contractor or supplier
companies or immediate family members of employees of NRCA member contractor or
supplier companies. Scholarships may be renewed annually provided recipients reapply
and continue to meet award criteria.
The Alliance initially funded the program with $400,000 from previous scholarship
fund receipts. Additionally, the Alliance will match 50 percent of the first $100,000
pledged each year during a five-year period, as well as commit $25,000 per year
thereafter to fund the scholarships directly. Once the program is fully funded,
it is expected that 25 scholarships will be awarded each year. The fund has surpassed
$1.5 million.
The National Roofing Legal Resource Center (NRLRC), which was established by NRCA
as a separately funded organization, had 50 new members this year and an 85 percent
retention rate. Acting as a legal advocate for roofing contractors, NRLRC offered
new benefits for its members. It developed and distributed 26 formal legal contract
provisions focusing on key legal elements, such as payment terms; various obligations
of the parties, representation and warranties; liability issues; remedies; and termination
rights. NRLRC also distributed 12 legal guides called
Sidebar, which address
situations such as what to do when work may be suspended for nonpayment, or how
to protect yourself from a former employee disclosing or distributing proprietary
information concerning your company.
NRLRC members received an updated copy of the
OSHA Citation Defense Manual,
a comprehensive resource that helps contractors become more familiar with OSHA procedures,
practices and terms; better prepared to handle OSHA inspections and respond to citations;
and better equipped to defend themselves against alleged violations and improper
citations. NRLRC also began working on a comprehensive immigration compliance package,
which members received free of charge. This six-part immigration compliance package
provides information about how to comply with I-9 requirements; how to respond to
a no-match letter from the Social Security Administration; E-verify; H2B program
eligibility; general contractor and subcontractor liability; and Immigration and
Customs Enforcement raids.
NRLRC's 28th annual seminar, Roofing Issues: Decks to Dockets, was held in Tucson,
Ariz., Nov. 1-3, 2007. The seminar hosted 125 attendees who learned about legal,
technical and safety issues and shared ideas and best practices.
NRCA and Indianapolis-based Firestone Building Products Co. LLC formed the Partners
Plus Auto Care Savings Plan, a new affinity program that entitles NRCA members to
15 percent savings on Bridgestone and Firestone brand tires and vehicle maintenance
and repairs from more than 2,300 participating retail stores, including all company-owned
Firestone Complete Auto Care,™ Tires Plus, Expert Tire and Wheel Works locations.