September 9, 2008

The following persons participated in the strategic planning meeting:

Board Members
Doug Williams, President
Mark Larkin, Vice President
Shawn Butter, Secretary/Treasurer
Rob Abbott, Director
Brian Kerzetski, Director
Keith Ozawa, Director
Laura Parrish, Director

Invited Members and Guests
Robert Flores
Bill Laub
Aaron Hawley
Rich Kerzetski
Dave Bold
Robert Oxley

Staff Members
Bob Benedict, CAE, Executive Director
Crystal Caywood, Office Manager

 Facilitator
Bob Harris, CAE

A strategic plan serves as a road map for an association.  It guides successive chief elected officers in advancing an agreed upon set of goals and general mission on behalf of members.  Though each president may identify a theme or priority for his or her term, the plan should be the primary focus. 

The committees should advance the goals and strategies of the plan.  The plan will influence the budgeting of income and expenses.   Staff may develop an annual business plan based upon the board's strategic plan.

When properly promoted, the plan becomes a public relations/communications tool to inform various audiences of the priorities and programs important to the organization.

The strategic plan was developed at a time when the economy and construction industry is down significantly; thus some goals reflect this economic aspect and its impact on members and the association. 

The plan should guide PHCC NV through 2011.  Annually, the board and staff should review the plan to measure progress.

The association image (internal and external) is made up of the mission, vision and values statements. 

Mission Statement - Referenced by the IRS as the "statement of purpose," is often a sentence or two that answers "who we are, who we serve, what we offer."  Sometimes it identifies a secondary audience, i.e. the public, consumers, patients, etc.

Vision Statement - The long term, compelling statement about the intended outcome if the organization is entirely successful.

Values Statement - The guidance principles of leadership and staff.

The following recommendations were offered:

Mission Statement - Existing

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of Nevada is dedicated to the promotion, advancement, education and training of the industry for the protection of our environment and the health, safety and comfort of society.

Mission Statement - Amended

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of Nevada is dedicated to the promotion, advancement, education and training of the industry for the protection of our environment and the health, safety and comfort of the community.

Values Statement - Proposed

The board and staff are guided by these principles:

• Working to Improve and Enhance the Industry
• Promoting Professionalism and Customer Satisfaction
• Serving as an Essential Resource
• Communicating Efficiently and Effectively
• Encouraging a Cohesive Industry and Camaraderie

Five goals were set. The plan should guide successive board presidents in prioritizing work, appointing committees and developing budgets.

1. Public Awareness and PR
2. Workforce Development and Education
3. Membership Benefits and Growth
4. Government Representation
5. Model PHCC Chapter

• Improve Member Business and Industry Image through Positive Public Relations
  

• Increase member business and revenue through association referrals.  (Bill Laub, Brian Kerzetski, Doug Williams and Bob Benedict to offer input on this strategy in 08-09.)
  
•  Develop an office process for receiving consumer calls and making referrals to members on an equitable basis.
  
• Survey members to improve database of member specialty areas of service.  (Fall 08 effort.)
  
• Consider creation of a PHCC NV consumer web site for industry and member information for selecting qualified, licensed industry professionals.
  
• Approach State Contractor Board to offer to be of help to their staff with consumer calls.  (Doug Williams, Fall 08).
  
• Reach out to other allied associations, i.e. home builders, architects, general contractors, etc. to inform them of the resources available from PHCC NV.  (Brian Kerzetski to prepare plan for the board.)
  
• Increase public awareness and the image of the industry and the association.
  
• Utilize PHCC existing press releases and issues papers and distribute regularly.
  
• Distribute press releases for free publicity to the listing of 130 media contacts (offered by Bill Laub.)
  
• Serve as a source of information to public boards, media, schools, building associations, etc.
  
• Strategically increase student interest (secondary school and community colleges) in the plumbing industry.
  
• Provide statistics to schools, guidance counselors and their associations on opportunities in the industry.
  
• Use PHCC resources and campaigns to attract students; and working to improve the image on the field at their grade levels.
  
• Position PHCC NV as the essential resource for all industry members.
  
• Explore advertising in The Construction Notebook publication and web site.
  
• Reach prospective members through improved PR and more frequent use of the PHCC logo.
  
• Encourage members to use the PHCC logo on forms, uniforms, t-shirts, window decals, etc. (Staff to suggest branding specialty items for purchase, to board.)
  
• Provide members with information on existing PHCC advertising programs that can be easily adapted for use by members.
  
• Promote environmental stewardship, through press releases and on the web site.
  

• Maintain an Effective Workforce through Continuous Education and Training
  

• Apprenticeship Program (JATC Committee)
  
• Re-evaluate the costs of the apprentice program with a need to break even or increase revenue.
  
• JATC to review and report 09-10 projections to the Board ASAP.
  
• Consider leasing warehouse space, school or supplier warehouse for the training site.
  
• Keep members informed of apprentice placement needs; safeguarding the availability of apprentices as a member benefit.
  
• Business Education (Doug Williams and Keith Ozawa)
  
• Develop courses to enhance business operations for company owner-managers.
  
• Identify potential speakers and/or utilize PHCC programs on topics such as:
  
• Cost of Doing Business and Balance Sheets
• Business Law
• Retaining Employees and Labor Issues
• Software Applications
• Environmental Certification
  
• Plan calendar of education in advance and market to non-members at a higher cost.
  
• Workforce Specialty Training
  
• Offer specialty training for plumbers during the down economy to enhance their skills for the future, considering courses such as:
  
• Tankless Heaters
• High Efficiency Boilers
•  Environmental Issues and Compliance
  

• Advocate for the Industry at the State and Local Levels through a Government Relations Program
  

• Participate in coalitions to monitor and influence government (Dave Bold)
  
• Work with NSA (Become part of the Subcontractor Legislative Coalition)
  
• Subcontractor Legislative Coalition
  
• Allied building associations.
  
• Make effective use of the Political Action Committee (PAC) to contribute to pro-industry lawmakers.
  
• Involve members in understanding, monitoring and influencing government.
  
• Improve government affairs awareness of the processes and issues, through newsletter article or classes.
  
• Keep members informed of the issues and positions of PHCC NV; becoming proactive rather than reactive.
  
• Monitor environmental issues and green initiatives of the government; and their impact on members and the industry.
  
• Monitor the agenda of the Nevada State Contractors Board; on-line and by attending meetings.
  

• Provide Benefits and Services to Increase Member Business and Prosperity
  

• Develop communications tools to enhance industry awareness of the benefits and services of PHCC NV.
  
• Laminated guide of member services and the benefits of joining.
  
• Strategic plan brochure.
  
• Improve member awareness of the new benefits and services.  (Bill Laub, Laura Parrish and Bob Benedict to review member needs and potential member benefits.)
  
• Build upon and promote existing PHCC array of benefits and programs.
  
• Identify additional PHCC NV benefits that produce royalty and income for the association.
  
• Consider development of a PHCC NV Labor Resource Pool; identifying persons or consultants willing to accept short term positions, i.e. Drafting, office support, engineer, etc.
  
• Expand PHCC NV member services to include entire state; potentially chartering a Reno PHCC Chapter.
  

• Maintain a Highly Effective Association to Serve Members and the Industry
  

• As a board and staff, be responsible stewards of the resources of the PHCC NV.
  
• Ensure that the subsidiary organizations - PAC and Foundation - are used effectively and are beneficial to the PHCC NV goals.
  
• Provide a board notebook and leadership orientation for volunteers; and focus on inviting young professionals to take leadership positions.
  
• Utilize standing committees and task forces to supplement the work of the board of directors and engage more members in PHCC NV.
  

PHCC NV Plan Alignment with Association Structure