INSIDE: 2014 Election Review Web version

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A quick overview of BATC's news and major issues from the past week
  • Back by popular demand! More code classes scheduled for December and January. See details below.
     
  • Membership Directory Forms are out and we need them back! Contact Heather for more information.
     
  • Keep your eye on the prize and gather your BATC bucks! Auction moved to Nov. 18. Also, don't forget to bring your food to help team Bel. Oh, and come early for the round table panel on legal and insurance issues. Learn more below.
     
  • Let's Max it out! The Foundation needs your help to support several amazing projects. Click here to Give to the MAX >> Also, we're now accepting schalorship applications. Click here to learn more >>
     
  • Book your booth! BRS booth sales now open to all members. Reserve your spot today >>
     
  • Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase Orientation for new participants November 20th! Email Wendy to register.

2014 Election Review

It was a busy election season for BATC! Watch the video above for our full 2014 election review or read more on our blog >>


2014 Elections: By the Numbers

72  - GOP House Members following the 2014 elections
62 - House DFL Members following the 2014 elections
$681,000 – Amount raised by Housing First in the 2014 Election Cycle
#11 – Housing First checks in as the 11th largest political committee in Minnesota
#3 – Housing First checks in as a the 3rd largest political committee in the business community
17  - Battleground Districts – Housing First and business community members managed a winning campaign – 10 victories in battleground districts + 1 surprise race (24B)  for battleground win percentage of nearly .600!
36 – Just 36 votes of the nearly 20,000 cast in District 48A(Eden Prairie & Minnetonka) separated DFL winner Yvonne Selcer from GOP Challenger Kirk Stensrud. The close vote has triggered an automatic recount.


New Speaker and Leader

Following their election night success, the House GOP elected caucus leadership for the next biennium. The Speaker-designate is Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) and the Majority Leader-elect is Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers). Both Daudt and Rogers are BATC endorsed candidates. Read more >>


New code and lead refresher courses. Sign up today!


Warners’ Stellian is the trusted appliance source of top builders.


Drive more traffic and sell more homes, here.


Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase Open!

Don’t miss your best consumer-directed marketing opportunity! Enter the Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase online now at Paradeofhomes.org. Contact Emily 651-697-1954 for your user name and password.  Or download forms at BATC.org (click on the Marketing tab).

New to the tours? Missed last fall’s Orientation? 
Then make sure to attend our Orientation on November 20th at 9:00 – 10:00 am at BATC. RSVP to Wendy Danks 651-697-7565.


Membership Directory Forms are Out

The new BATC 2015 Member Directory is your best way to connect with other BATC members. Please return your member verification forms (mailed last week) by deadline: November 18th — if you haven’t received them, please contact Heather Litchy 651-697-7573. 

Looking for smart B2B advertising options? 
Then make sure to advertise in the Directory too. Details here >> or Contact Kori 612-801-9874 or Brad Meewes 651-269-2399.


Help Team Bel Win the Food Fight!

BATC has joined Team Bel (Belinda) in the 2nd annual KARE 11 Food Fight!
we need your help to beat Perk! Make sure to join us at our November 18th BATC Auction and food drive and bring non-perishable food items (while you earn extra BATC Bucks to spend at the auction). All food collected will be presented on air on November 25th and goes to benefit Second Harvest. If you can’t make it on the 18th, you can still help by bringing food items to BATC any time on or before November 24th.  Let’s show KARE 11 how it’s done!

The BATC Buck Auction and Food Drive
November 18th • 4:30 – 7:00
BATC
Food, Refreshments, Cash & Prize Drawings
Free, but please register here >> 

Insurance, Lawyers and Contracts, Oh MY!
Come early on the 18th for our next Fast Forward Education
From 2-4:30pm
Free! RSVP  

Get all your legal and insurance questions answered by our panelists:
Attorney Paul Smith, Larkin Hoffman
Mike Hoppe, Corporate Four Insurance
Butch Sprenger, Destiny Homes

 


Let's Give to the MAX!

Get more bang for your buck! Bell Morgtage renewed their thousand dollar match for the 2014 Give to the Max Day. Click here to give >>

Also! The BATC Foundation is now accepting Scholarship applications for the 2015-16 academic year.  Eligible applicants have (or will) be high school graduates, live in the Twin Cities metro area and will study an academic program in construction or a construction related field. High School Seniors may apply online here. Current college level students or adults beginning a college level program may apply online here. Paper forms are available by request.


Fast Forward Next Week!

Come learn about insurance and legal issues at our Fast Forward Remodelers Roundtable Panel Discussion. Our panel of experts include Attorney Paul Smith, Larkin Hoffman; Mike Hoppe, Corporate Four Insurance; and Butch Sprenger, Destiny Homes. Bring your insurance questions! Both builders and remodelers are welcome! Registration is free.

November 18 • 2-4 PM
@BATC

More Details >>  


Shawn McCadden coming to BRS on April 2nd!

Shawn McCadden is a nationally-known columnist, remodeling speaker, business trainer, remodeling business coach and award-winning remodeler. As a Certified Remodeler, Certified Lead Carpenter, and RRP Certified Renovator Instructor McCadden has more than 30 years of personal experience in the remodeling and new home construction industries. 

Choosing and Targeting the Right Customers and Project Types for Your Business
3 Hours: (8:30-11:30 AM)
Many remodelers and builders have come to realize that their businesses can no longer be all things to all people and that trying to do so makes it almost impossible to differentiate themselves in today’s marketplace. Smart consumers don’t want generic. They want different and they are using the internet to find, research and prequalify which businesses they will work with. 

Know What You’re Selling Before You Sell It
1 Hour (12-1 PM and repeated 1-2 PM)
Being strategic about the process you use to collect and document project information when selling to customers can really make a big difference for your business. Done right, your estimating process can help you sell, sell at higher margins and help protect profits while producing those projects. 

Associates, Reserve Your Booth Today! 
Don't wait, just $200 will hold your chosen spot. Log on to our interactive show floor plan now to save your space.

Watch video tutorial for online booking here >>


New Lot development a Good Sign

A sure sign of a recovering housing market?  How about new lot development occurring for the first time in several years!  Surveying the Chicago, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis/St. Paul markets Metrostudy has noticed that new subdivisions are beginning to come through the pipeline. Read more >>


Study Shows: The Newer a Home, the Less Energy it Uses.

Newer homes are larger, but over the long run the effects of increased efficiency offset the extra square footage, so that homes built since 1999 tend use the same to slightly less energy than homes built before 1950. Read more >>


New Remodeler 20 Club Forming Now

The 20 Club program is forming the first new Remodeler 20 Club since 2006. It will be the ninth remodelers’ club established in the program’s 20-year history. Read more >>


Realtors More Bullish On New Homes Than Builders

Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtor’s chief economist, is optimistic about the new home market–even more so than home builders.

Mr. Yun on Friday unveiled his housing market forecast for 2015 and 2016 at the Realtor Association’s annual conference in New Orleans. He foresees home sales gaining significant momentum next year, due mainly to his prediction that sales of newly built single-family homes will surge by 41% to 624,000. Read more >>


David Siegel Obtains his CAE Renewal

The Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation is designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and identify association professionals who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of association management. Founded in 1960, the CAE Program stands as a mark of excellence and has evolved to reflect what it takes to manage an association in today's challenging climate. The CAE Program was accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies in 2010.


Upcoming Calendar of Events

December
New Building/Energy Code Courses [Register]
November 13
Member Orientation [more info]
November 13
Give to the Max Day, Plan to Support your Foundation
November 18
Fast Forward Education [More Info]
NEW DATE: November 18 after Fast Forward!!!
BATC Buck Auction & Holiday Food Drive [More info]
November 20
Parade of Homes Orientation [More info]
December 2014-June 2015

BATC-U Lead Recertification Course [Register]
December 10
EPA Lead Refresher Course [Register}
January 7
Lead Refresher Course [Register]
January 8
Industry Forecast and Dinner Meeting [Register]
January 21
IBS Hospitality Suite in Las Vegas
February 18
Builder Day at the Capitol
February 19
Job and Career Fair at Mall of America [Get a Booth]
February 24
Foundation Annual Recognition Lunch with Belinda Jensen

For a complete list of events, visit our website at WWW.BATC.ORG.


Thank You to Our 2014 Elite Partners