(L to R) Harry Mashburn, AGS' 2006 President; Mark Lindquist, AGC of Califoria Past President; Steve Sandherr, AGC CEO; Steve Blois, AGC of California President and Tom Holsman, AGC of California CEO signed the first chapter partnering agreement in October 2006.
The Associated General Contractors of America and its 96 chapters have always worked together to provide the best in services to members. Sixty–five of those chapters recently renewed their dedication to further cultivating these relationships and broadening the scope of resource sharing by signing the AGC of America Chapter Partnering Agreement.
AGC and its chapters already enjoy many healthy working relationships. The agreement serves as a catalyst for both parties to refocus their goals and reexamine the resources available to both parties.
"The partnering agreement will help AGC of America direct its resources to areas that are most beneficial to the chapter and its members," says AGC COO Dave Lukens.
The goal is to improve communications to chapters as well as to members.
"The Chapter Partnering Agreement has given clarity to our relationship with AGC national," says David Semerad, AGC of Minnesota CEO. "We’ve always maintained a strong relationship with AGC and I think it is important for our members to understand what the parameters of the relationship are. This agreement does that."
CHAPTERS THAT HAVE SIGNED THE AGREEMENT(as of 7.31.07)
AGC of California • Georgia Branch • AGC of Washington D.C. • Southern Illinois Builders Association • AGC of Greater Florida • Kansas Contractors Association • AGC of Washington • AGC of Minnesota • AGC of Greater Milwaukee • AGC of North Dakota • Master Builders of Iowa • Alabama AGC • San Diego Chapter • San Antonio Chapter • Florida East Coast Chapter • AGC of Alaska • New Mexico Building Branch • Montana Contractors Association • AGC of South Dakota, Building Chapter • AGC of Utah • AGC of St. Louis • AGC of Iowa • AGC of Wisconsin • AGC of Oklahoma, Building Chapter • Houston Chapter, AGC • Central Illinois Builders of AGC • AGC of Missouri • Wyoming Contractors Association • Colorado Contractors Association • AGC of Colorado, Building Chapter • Nevada Chapter, AGC • Oregon-Columbia Chapter, AGC • AGC of Kansas • Contractors Association of West Virginia • AGC of Kentucky • General Building Contractors of New York State • AGC of Texas • Western Kentucky Construction Association • Austin Chapter, AGC • AGC of Massachusetts • Arizona Builders Alliance • Mississippi Valley Branch, AGC • Heavy Constructors Association Greater Kansas City Area • Associated Contractors of New Mexico • Inland Northwest AGC • Central Texas Chapter AGC • General Building Contractors Association (PA) • Panhandle of Texas Chapter, AGC • AGC of Tennessee • QUOIN Chapter • South Florida Associated General Contractors • AGC of Virginia • Associated Constructors of Maine • Rio Grande Valley Chapter, AGC • Carolinas AGC • Nebraska Building Branch, AGC • Arkansas Chapter, AGC • AGC of South Dakota • Constructors of Western Pennsylvania • Idaho AGC • AGC of Michigan • Arizona Chapter AGC • AGC of New Jersey • Builders Association • Kansas City Chapter, AGC
The agreement provides a broad definition of the roles and responsibilities of AGC and its chapters with the goal of working together to achieve a higher performance while allowing for local market and operational diversity. It covers the important areas of marketing, communications, membership, products and services. Chapters are also encouraged to further develop the agreement on a chapter by chapter basis.
Chapters are reaffirmed in their role as the voice of the local construction industry. The agreement recognizes the immense need for both the strong national and local presence of industry representation.
"Signing the agreement provides mutual benefits between the entities with clearly defined roles in such areas as political and regulatory, advocacy, economic information and industry–wide initiatives," says Tom Holsman, California AGC CEO, the first chapter to sign the agreement.
The agreement has sparked ideas of how to better use the many available resources. The Master Builders of Iowa is already working to make it easier for its members to purchase AGC products through the chapter’s Website. Other chapters also are reexamining new avenues of partnership and resource sharing.
AGC national also will benefit from chapter ideas.
"I think AGC can be the beneficiary of many innovative ideas coming from the chapter level," says Master Builders of Iowa President and CEO Scott Norvell. "The agreement creates a channel for bottom–up ideas."
Signing the agreement also has facilitated increased interaction among the chapters. "I believe that it is important for all chapters to work in concert with AGC of America and each other," says Mike Dunham, executive vice president, Georgia Branch AGC. "Many chapters are doing creative things, and it is in our best interest to learn from each other. Signing the agreement has facilitated even more sharing among us."
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