Win

Bitterroot

Building News

MONTHLY

JOURNAL OF THE

BITTERROOT BUILDING

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Inside this issue

Membership Minute P. 4

News From the State P. 7

GRIP Safety Memo P. 10

Calendar of Events P. 11

Bitterroot

Building

Industry

Association

“Serving to unify

and enhance the

building industry in

the Bitterroot Valley

through education,

community

involvement and

quality construction

practices.”

June 2011

ISS UE

06

President’s Message The summer months in Montana are symbolized by the harvest of forage and grain crops. As I drive Highway 93 and East Side Highway, the smell of fresh-cut hay evokes memories of days past for this Montana raised farmer and rancher’s son. Our blessing in life stills remains our freedom and the ability to do what we want, where we choose, of course, always with some risk.

The members of the BBIA, in many ways, are no different; as business men and women, we too depend on the efforts of our “harvest.” For example, while I actively pursue the insurance business year-round through cherished renewals and hard-earned new business, I often refer to the July 1 date as my “harvest” because so many workers compensation insurance policy renewals occur in Montana on July 1. What about you, when and how do you measure your harvest?

How do you plant your crop? Likely through referrals, networking, cold-calls, advertising, etc.

How is your planting equipment? Do you regularly attend networking opportunities or just when “things are good.” What about advertising and social networking? Are you

willing to make the commitments long enough to see if they produce some “harvest.” A long-time Missoula friend and businessman once told me this story. His son and business partner wanted to move from radio to television advertising; dad said, “Okay,” and they moved forward, but at the end of approximately 12 months they had no measureable results from their increased television exposure. Dad wanted to hang it up and go back to radio, but his son convinced him to try television for “just a little longer.” I’m happy to report that after 18 months television advertising was paying dividends for this long-time Missoula/Western Montana business and father and son have never looked back.

This month our Tour of Homes committee, chaired by Flora Buoy, Alpine Granite Accents, and Angie Previte, our EO, harvest the fruits of their labor with the annual tour of Bitterroot Valley homes and properties. These fine folks have worked hard to bring what we consider to be our finest “tour harvest” to you and I would like to personally challenge you to partake of this event. The committee is offering several ways for us to take the tour this year. I will leave that

venue up to Angie and Flora as they deserve all of the credit in the world for their unique, creative ideas.

We also added another membership benefit to the Building Association fold this month. Angela will also detail this new opportunity in her monthly newsletter. I cannot believe how quickly the summer months pass by as soon kids and teachers will be returning back to another school year. My prayer is that you have found time this summer to spend hours with your family and friends, and my prayer for you is also that you have a bountiful “harvest.”

God Bless Each of You,

Dale

2

Bitterroot Building Industry Association Board Of Directors

President:

Dale Hanson

Western States Insurance

1st

Vice President:

Pam Spillane

Stewart Title of Ravalli County

Immediate Past President:

Willie Schrock

Schrock Construction

Directors:

George Bingham

Bingham & Associates

Flora Buoy

Alpine Granite Accents, LLC.

Donny Ramer

PCI

State Directors

State Life Director . . . . . . Tom Vanorio

State Life Director . . . . . . Chip Pigman

NAHB Directors

National Life Director. . . . Tom Vanorio

National Rep . . . . . Open Seat

Alternate Rep . . . . . . . . . Chip Pigman

BBIA Committees

Home Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant

Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pam Spillane

Membership . . . . . . . . . . Archie Thomas

Tour of Homes . . . . . . . . . . . Flora Buoy

Government Affairs . . . . Donny Ramer

Golf Tournament . . . . . . . Willie Schrock

Staff

Angela K. Previte . . . Executive Officer

BBIA Shout Out

17th Annual Bitterroot Tour of Homes &

Taste of the Bitterroot Tour

By Angela K. Previte, BBIA Executive Off icer

“Golf Tournament” Thank you to following sponsor companies:

Stewart Title Schrock Construction Meridian Drywall/Quest Insulation Territorial Landworks Mountain Supply A2Z Personnel Western States Insurance Kinetico Quality Water K Design Marketing Dig It Excavating, Inc. Culligan Water Conditioning

Congratulations to Lester and his team from Quest Insulation for winning this year’s tournament!

“Tour of Homes” The 2011 Bitterroot Tour of Homes is in full swing. We have added an evening event on Thursday August 18

th called

Taste of the Bitterroot. The fun filled evening will allow individuals to tour the six homes aboard a coach while sampling food and beverages from some of the valley’s best chefs. Tickets are $35 per person limited seating available and includes seeing the six homes, coach ride, food and beverages. Attendees must be 21 years of age.

Congratulations to this year’s builders:

Beck Builders Big Sky Builders of Montana

Brooks Cole Construction Grover Construction

Pigman Builders Glenn Construction Company

Thank you to the following Bitterroot Tour of Home sponsors:

Premier Sponsors Massa Home Center

Ravalli Republic

Taste of the Bitterroot Sponsors Alpine Granite Accents, Inc.

RBM Lumber & Sierra Pacific Windows

Gold NorthWestern Energy

Silver Vann’s

BMC Select Temp Right Service Mountain Supply

Bronze

Bingham & Associates Evan’s Ace Hardware

Western Montana Lighting Loren’s Carpet One

Rocky Mountain Lumber Western States Insurance

VIP Builder Bus Tour

Stewart Title US Bank

First Montana Title Co. First Security Bank

Donors

Sweet Pea Sewer & Septic Kinetico Quality Water

Farmer’s State Bank Jerry Wessels Tire Center

The Ranch 107.1

Visit our newly designed website via www.BitterrootBIA.com or www.BitterrootTOH.com

3

4

Membership Minute

Are You Obtaining the Maximum Return on Your Investment with the BBIA?

Thank You to Our New & Renewing

Members

Brooks Cole, Brooks Cole Construciton, Inc.

Dewey Allsop, Truco Systems

Diana Sontag,

Axmen Propane

Willie Schrock, Schrock Construction Inc.

Brandi McKnightm,

Missoula Federal Credit Union

Doug Smith, Pella Windows & Doors

Aaron Grossman, Lynch Insulation

Mike Mostad,

Loren’s Carpet One

Sue Devlin, A2Z Personnel

Don McGourty,

First Security Bank

Ken Senn, Farmers State Bank

Todd Siminiar,

BMC West

Loren Collins, Bitterroot Stoves & Billiards

Ways to achieve the maximum return on your dues investment:

MBIA Health Insurance — Realize potential 15-20% savings on health policies with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Worker’s Comp Insurance Program (GRIP) — Receive refunds on Labor and Industries worker compensation premiums, representation when dealing with Montana State Fund and workplace safety assistance from the GRIP Program.

Verizon Discount — 22% discount on cellular service available for contractor members.

NAHB Member Advantage Discounts — Reduces your day to day business costs. Some of these discounts: business vehicle purchases, car rentals, office products, payroll service, computers, credit cards, freight.

Economic Toolkit — Information to help you enhance the marketing and advertising of your products and services during lean or robust times. Check out our www.biawc.com for additional resources and links to BIAW and NAHB.

Continuing Education — Your Association provides education seminars throughout the year to improve your bottom line. Courses on customer service, building and construction standards, lien law and much more are available. BIAWC supports Construction Academy program and other outreach to youth Trades program. These students are our future workforce.

Western Montana Remodelers

Council — Remodelers have the opportunity to learn, network and expand their business by being involved in the local/national Remodelers Council. Join and explore additional specialty education courses throughout the year.

Montana Green Building — Learn more about green building in Montana through education workshops, as well as the Built Green checklist and resources. Built Green certified homes are listed on the MLS. Built Green offers a community green building conference each year.

Marketing — to the public and other members through signature events & advertising opportunities:

Home and Ranch Expo — Exhibit your product and services to over 1200 + attendees.

Tour of Homes — Builders can market their quality craftsmanship and Associates and subcontractors can market their products.

Advertise in BBIA publications — Promote your products and services to BBIA members and the public; BBIA Membership Directory and Buyers Guide, Monthly newsletter, Home and Ranch Expo magazine, Tour of Homes book and website banner advertising.

General Membership Meetings and Association Activities — BBIA hosts many annual events allowing you to network with your fellow Builders and Associates.

Committees — Get involved in the Association by joining a committee; in doing so you get to know your

5

Royal Spikes (150-249) Chip Pigman 204.5

Red Spikes (100-149)

Ron Pigman 136.5 Tom Vanorio 125

Jim VanSickle 105.5

Green Spikes (50-99) Ray Tipton 55

Angela Previte 55

Life Spikes (25-49) Willie Schrock 38

Blue Spikes (6-24)

George Bingham 18.5 Flora Buoy 13.5

Joanne Hamlin 10.5 Pam Spillane 7

Spike Candidates (1-5)

Tom Allsop 1 Todd Bauer 2

Loren Collins 4.5 Chuck Garber 2

Aaron Grossman 4 Dale Hanson 4.5 John Kellogg 1.5

Brian Mendenhall 2 Jason Rice 2

Jim Rousselle 3.5 Archie Thomas 3.5

Spike roster per

NAHB’s Spike Report Effective thru

6/2011

fellow members and contribute to the housing industry.

Government Affairs — Working on “free market” housing affordability, as well as land use and construction related issues will be BBIA’s government affairs advocacy outreach mission. Your Association is recognized as a proponent for the building industry before City and County councils, legislators, congressional and locally elected officials; it’s important to fight for a positive business climate and advancing housing affordability issues.

Community Service Projects —The Association gives back to the communities where your members live, work, raise your families and retire. Every year your fellow members give back to the local communities on projects that are meaningful to the Association. It is pride in community that is important.

State Meetings & National Conventions — Attend quarterly MT BIA meetings and NAHB conventions for education and networking. Your three in one (3:1) membership includes being a member of BBIA, as well as your State and National associations (Montana Building Industry Association and National Association of Home Builders).

Those that belong to professional trade associations historically earn

more than those that do not continue their professional

development and learning. With continued training you are

investing in your business and professional development.

For more information on any of

these benefits, check out our website at

www.BitterrootBIA.com or call us at (406) 375-9411.

VIP Builder Bus Tour Tickets on

Sale NOW!

See six beautiful Tour Homes in comfort; includes bus transportation, lunch, prizes and more! Contact the BBIA to reserve your

seat today!

375-9411

Tickets are limited. $20 each

Buses depart from Ravalli County Fairgrounds at 11am

Wednesday, August 17th.

Sponsors

Stewart Title US Bank

First Montana Title Company

First Security Bank

Bus transportation provided by Tucker Transportation.

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7

News from the State By Dustin Stewart MBIA Executive Officer

MBIA Announces Loyalty Rebate Program

We are excited to introduce a new addition in a long line of MBIA member benefits programs, one that can put money back into your pocket. This exciting new initiative is our MBIA Member Rebate Program. Through this program over 30 of the country’s leading manufacturers pay rebates as their way of thanking our members for their loyalty to their products. Many of you are already using these products, so why not get a rebate for something you are already using? So what is the catch? The only catch is that you need to sign up for this free program. You cannot participate unless we have your signature on an application. We know that you don’t like paperwork, so we’ve worked hard to keep the red tape to a minimum and to keep the process simple. When you register, you simply indicate which of

the participating manufacturers you already use. Then, on a quarterly basis, you report the number of homes you have closed; our program administrator does the work of notifying the manufacturers, collecting your rebate, and mailing your quarterly check. You will not be asked to change your local supplier or buy alter your buying practices. If you register and file a rebate claim before August 19

th you will be eligible

for rebates on the products installed in all the new homes or remodeling projects closed or finished after January 1, 2011! Please don’t wait, as you must register and fill out the claim forms by August 19

st (sent at the same

time is ok) or you will jeopardize your rebate check. The North Dakota Builder’s Association has partnered with HBA rebates for

the last year and were quick to share their enthusiasm for the program with us. In that state, the largest quarterly rebate amounted to $6,000. Most of their participating members experienced quarterly rebates between $300 - $2,000. The program registration form, and claim forms are included in this letter. You can learn more at: http://www.HBArebates.com, just click MBIA on the right side of the page. Please help us spread the word on this outstanding MBIA member benefit. We want to get as many members registered and receiving rebates as possible. Your consistent support of MBIA through your association membership makes this program possible. It’s one of the many benefits of belonging to MBIA, the voice of the housing industry in Montana.

MBIA Loyalty Rebate Program

www.HBArebates.com

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www.HBArebates.com

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10

GRIP Safety Memo West Nile Virus By Mike Rocchio

MBIA Safety Specialist

Recently I was sitting in the middle of a Montana road construction project waiting for the flagger to allow me to continue on my travels. While sitting idle I noticed the flagger swatting the air every couple of seconds; as I looked beyond the flagger I noticed other workers flailing arms around as well; what was going on? I then noticed on the windshield and windows of my car hundreds of mosquitoes buzzing around and landing on the vehicle; I had my answer. West Nile Virus (WNV) is an illness transmitted to humans primarily by mosquitoes; employees working outside especially in warmer weather are at particular risk. Flooded areas (Think Montana had any flooding this year?) provide the increased opportunity for mosquitoes to breed in stagnant water. What can you do to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile Virus? Elimination of mosquito’s breeding grounds (bodies of stagnant water) is the ideal method for reducing mosquito’s populations and the number of bites.

Be aware of your presence in relation to areas where water accumulates.

Advise employees to get rid of sources of standing water if possible (drain ditches, gutters, large puddles, etc., to remove water).

Encourage workers to protect themselves from skin contact with dead birds (also known to become infected by the WNV).

What can workers do to protect themselves? It may not be possible to eliminate all potential mosquito havens so key steps

should be taken to minimize the risk of mosquito’s bites and potential WNV transmission.

Cover as much skin as you can by wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts whenever possible.

Use insect repellents that contain DEET on skin not covered by clothing. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the most effective repellents contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzanide)

Avoid the use of perfumes and colognes as mosquitoes maybe more attracted to individuals wearing certain aromatics.

Choose a repellant that provides protection for the amount of time that you will be outdoors in areas of concern. The more DEET a repellent contains, the longer you’re protected. Protection times commonly range from 1 hour (4.75% DEET) to 5 hours (23.8% DEET).

Spray clothing with repellent as mosquitoes may still bite through the clothing.

Never apply Repellent to open wounds or irritated skin.

Do not apply directly to ones face; spray on your hands and carefully rub on face (don’t allow eye and mouth contact).

BE sure to wash repellent off with soap and water when no longer working in areas without mosquitoes.

What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus? In most cases, individuals infected with

WNV show no symptoms or have mild flu like symptoms (West Nile Fever) that will last several days and are not believed to cause long term affects. Signs and symptoms of West Nile Fever include headache, fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and/or a rash on the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control, severe illness is reported to occur in about 1 in every 150 individuals infected. For these people the disease effects may last several weeks with potential permanent neurological effects. The signs of a more serious infection, West Nile Meningitis or West Nile Encephalitis include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and potential paralysis. If you develop symptoms of severe WNV you should seek immediate medical attention, as this disease may be fatal. Additional Resources: CDC West Nile Virus Home Page The U.S. EPA (information on the use of insect repellents)

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AUGUST 2011

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28 29 30 31

SEPTEMBER 2011

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OCTOBER 2011

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Upcoming Events

August 4th

Final Tour Builder & Committee Meeting

Noon at the BBIA Office

August 8th

11:30am Board Meeting BBIA Office

August 11th

Signage Pick Up

August 17th

VIP-Builder Bus Tour

August 18th

Taste of the Bitterroot Tour

August 19-21st

Tour of Homes

August 26th

Tour of Homes Awards Banquet and

August GMM

August 29- Sept 2nd

Office Closed – vacation

Sept. 5th

Labor Day, Office Closed

Sept 8th

Tour of Homes Wrap up meeting

Sept. 12th

11:30am Board Meeting, BBIA Office

Sept 15-18th

Missoula Parade of Homes

October 10th

11:30am Board Meeting, BBIA Office

October 11th

GRIP Safety Meeting 7:30am at the

Bitterroot River Inn

October 13-14h MBIA State Board Meeting in Great Falls,

Office Closed

October 15-16th

Montana Green Expo, Great Falls

October 31st

Happy Halloween!

Bitterroot Building Industry Events GRIP Safety Meetings Events of other HBAs Holidays

This monthly newsletter is a publication of the Bitterroot Building Industry

Association, PO Box 1299 Hamilton, MT 59840. The newsletter is

published for the benefit of our association members. We welcome your

contributions of articles about our industry and our members. Please

address all correspondence to above address.

Advertising Rates:

Half Page Ad 7” x 5” $45 /month, $125 /quarter

1/4 Page Ad 3.5” x 5” $30 /month, $ 75 /quarter

Business Card Ad 3.5” x 2” $15 /month, $ 40 /quarter

Copy for ads must be in the BBIA office no later than the 20th of the

month for publication in the next month’s issue. All ads submitted are

reviewed for appropriate content. Ads can be submitted in color or black

and white, preferably in PDF format, and print ready.

Our newsletter is distributed via email, mail and displayed on our website.

Publication Information

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Special Events

BBIA Board Meeting Monday August 8th 11:30am at the BBIA Office

BBIA Tour of Homes August 17-21st see calendar for detail of events.

August 29th-2nd the office will be closed for SCCA Nationals Lincoln, NE (vacation ).

PO Box 1299 Hamilton, MT 59840 www.BitterrootBIA.com