ROOFING
CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 53 Years of Industry Service
Inside this issue: EVP Report
1-2
Incoming EVP Message
3
RGC Updates
4
REF Report
5&8
Apprentice Photos
9-11
Calendar of Events
12
O T N O
P
Summer 2011 ~ 22nd Edition
“Engineering Value” EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Closing Comments from a retiring guy Executive Vice President Brian Hofler
Well… "The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--Of cabbages--and kings--And why the sea is boiling hot--And whether pigs have wings…"
It’s my last opportunity to offer comments that may contain humour, perhaps a few words of wisdom and hopefully inspire readers in some meaningful way. Any foolishness should be equated with withdrawal on my part from a job that has been the best, from working for an organization that is the best, and from having the opportunity to mingle with the members of a unique and vibrant industry that has its share of crisis and accomplishment as well as a cast of characters that I will truly miss. Last October my job description was revised to incorporate transitional roles that required me to play that of confidant, advisor and mentor as well as spiritual guide (well perhaps that is slightly exaggerated), roles I had not anticipated when joining RCABC in 1995. Nevertheless, I considered this an opportunity to broaden my experience and treat this as a “case study in transition planning” before I hit the road this August. In contrast to previous tests of my managerial skills, I approached this new task methodically with the understanding that I should not succumb to the assumption that simply clearing out my desk would be considered a measurement of success. Essentially my new job was to assist my understudy to take over the starring role, a task that every actor accepts as necessary but is hesitant to help implement (call it the “from my cold dead hands” syndrome). In preparation for Ivan’s arrival, I developed an excel type of table with headings that listed the various competencies and
experience that I considered necessary for any individual considering the job as RCABC EVP. Once complete, I sat back, observed, intervened where necessary, provided advice when asked, had long philosophical, personal, and businesslike discussions, some humorous and some serious – and checked the boxes as my successor demonstrated proficiency at each goal In contrast, when I was hired, I remember Klaus asking me how old I was and when I told him he remarked that “you will be able to give 15 to 20 years to the association (all with a bit of a German accent and twinkle in his eye)”. That was the extent of planning for a replacement at the time, which considering the outcome, and in retrospect because this is truly an objective observation, may be looked upon as being
“The time has come," the Walrus said, “To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships--and sealingwax--Of cabbages--and kings--And why the sea is boiling hot--And whether pigs have wings…"
reasonable (smile, laugh, or cry as emotion dictates). Regardless, it is definitely a stretch from the way in which business approaches the issue of recruitment and retention today. Demographics dictate that the days of “finding” the next “so and so” for “such and such” a time, has changed dramatically and businessmen (including roofing contractors) need to be more creative in their approach to transition and succession planning. I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank the current President, Tony Caputo and the members of the Board of Directors, not only for their support during this transition year, but for their commitment and professionalism during all the years that I have worked for RCABC. Every (Continued on page 2)