By Ted McIntyre
Windsor-Essex Takes HBA of the Year
With 27 locals (and a membership entailing more than 4,000), it’s hard to pick just one Local of the Year. But Windsor-Essex Home Builders’ Association (WEHBA) has been on a particular roll, experiencing accelerated growth, reflecting the enthusiasm and commitment of residential construction professionals within its region.
“Vince Lapico told me that when he took over as WEHBA president, there were only 30 members. Now, we’re up to 80, with a goal of 100+ by January,” says WEHBA Executive Officer Melissa Schenk, who accepted the award alongside Lapico and other members of their local at the OHBA President’s Gala.
“I became EO in February and have the privilege to work with the board of directors. They’re dedicated to success. They roll their sleeves up, as do I, and do the work. Everyone is a team player. Items atop the checklist began with aligning the board so that board members were part of committees they enjoy and want to be a part of—be it governance, municipal liaison, Awards of Distinction, golf tournaments, etc.—so that people want to organize events. Some want to work on the ethics and community relationships of our members. For me, it’s about bringing out everyone’s strengths.
“I started from ground zero and needed to learn as much as possible about membership and members,” Schenk says. “The value of membership is key to me. Owning a marketing agency for 25 years (MS2 Productions), I am all about branding and connecting the dots. We’ve implemented new sponsorship programs and campaigns that put our members at the forefront and spotlight them within the community. We recently launched a program called Parade of Homes, a video series that members pay to be a part of, where I bring a film crew and we interview the business owners about what they do. I truly love this! The series appeals to everyone from builders to sub-trades, professionals and suppliers. You learn so much about the business. I learned a pile about our member Windsor-Essex Habitat for Humanity. They have one of the best ReStores in the country. For example, they have a repair department for kitchen cabinets or other items. So when items are brought in, they can refurbish and resell them.
“I’m also EO in Perth-Huron, where we’ve implemented many of the same things,” Schenk continues. “In both cases, we make changes when needed as we grow and evolve.”
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