By / Shaun Ekert
It’s time to look ahead to the next generation that will carry the torch for trade associations like TIAC. I see the innovators group is passionate and making great strides in moving their initiatives and our industry forward, but still there remains a gap. Many people—most, actually—are missing the value that trade associations bring to their careers, their businesses, and this industry overall. It’s not that they don’t care; it is just missed if one is not looking or if one were, say, distracted by a global pandemic. But look we must, and soon.
A great deal of effort, blood, sweat, and tears—compliments of the forefathers and foremothers that have gone before us—have gone into building our strong, credible, active association, and it is up to us and whoever comes next to keep that work moving forward. Otherwise, it is all for naught. If we all looked at the possibility of volunteering and decided it was too much extra workload, nothing would happen. Ever. Then what?
When we return to normal—or rather, settling on the new normal—we must have a strong and willing pool of individuals ready to take the reigns. If we don’t, many trade association in Canada will die, and with them will go pillars of our construction community. I am not sure the next generation of stewards for this task understand the impact industry associations have. Imagine if the torch is dropped and ten years from now, we open the specs and there is no refence to TIAC or standards. That would not be a good situation. We must be cognizant now and invest our efforts now so that our industry’s future is secure. Full stop.
After this year, it will be difficult because people have grown accustomed to working from home and not being at tradeshows or conferences, not having to attend sessions or in-person training. “How,” they will wonder, “can I possibly give up my new-found free time to volunteer?” We get it. We are all in the same boat, and we aren’t asking people to jump back on the crazy train to overworking; we are asking that, when it comes time to rebuild our schedules outside the home, people prioritize their trade association. That means if your “new normal” means a reduced schedule with fewer responsibilities, your trade association is one of them. It has to be.
As we develop cautious plans for a micro-conference in the fall, we are looking at that as a platform for generating momentum and building a knowledgeable, enthusiastic pool of individuals willing to take on task-based projects and make the infamous phrase, “many hands make light work” a new normal for association progress and innovation.
We know the drive is there, lurking. As an example, we held an informational webinar in April to discuss goings on in various parts of Canada and to connect on the challenges and opportunities moving forward. More than sixty attendees committed an hour each, representing sixty hours of participation in association activities. If ever there were an indication of TIAC’s value and evidence that the desire to participate exists, this is it. So, it is time for us all to ask ourselves, what can I do to keep torch burning bigger and brighter?
Over the past year, with the odds stacked against us as the country shut down in phases, a critical mass of a few people’s effort and time led to the Denis formula update, development of insulation best practices, execution of six training webinars, adopting of the MICA standard as TIAC’s standard, and an on-going drive to better our industry and stay connected. Imagine what we could accomplish if we all committed together?
I don’t want you to read about those accomplishments and think, “Ah well. They’ve got it under control. They don’t need me.” We do. The industry needs you and the reward is a better trade environment, a better sector, and recognition as a known leader and premier company.
Individuals can become actively involved in the innovators group—the Petrie dish of leaders in the mechanical insulation industry—or on the board of directors to provide governance and leadership. We aren’t just looking for new ideas, but also drivers of those ideas. Make no mistake: we are looking
for you. ▪
