FRSA – 100 Years Strong Lisa Pate, FRSA Executive Director
Throughout 2022, this column will recap some of FRSA’s rich history, through accounts from minutes and a published book called FRSA The First Half Century. Miami was chosen as the Convention site for 1942, the year which would mark the start of the third decade of existence for the Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Florida. The President selected to guide the Association into the new decade and through the opening of the war years was William M. Palmer of Miami. The war, with hardships caused by loss of working men and lack of supplies, would bring new challenges to the members but perhaps never again would the Association be threatened as it had been through the Florida Land Bust and the Depression years. At the beginning of the 1930s, the survival of the Association had been in doubt. By 1941, the Association had gained a solid foothold in the industry and was beginning to make its presence known to the State Legislature. The founding fathers were still active, still solidifying the foundation which would carry the Association through the difficulties of future years. The pace was set.
1942 – 1949
As the 1941 Convention closed, the attack on Pearl Harbor was only seven months away. The gloom that descended upon America during the first days of World War II overwhelmed some members and they seriously considered abandoning the Association. Other members rallied, however, to face new challenges. The war changed the lives of all. Young men from the industry were called to serve in the Armed Forces. Supplies were limited. Roofing contractors found themselves building roofs to withstand even more than nature’s elements. Some new roofs had to withstand bombs. A shortage of metals forced contractors to shift to new compounds, some of which had been thought to be inferior at best and useless at worst. 14
FLORIDA ROOFING | May 2022
A raging storm heralded the first Convention of the new decade in Miami in the Spring of 1942. Early arrivals huddled together in the dark during a blackout. The Mayor of Miami, following the welcoming tradition at each Convention, said he hoped the members had brought their tools as there was much work to be done. President Bill Palmer said the storm had caused severe damage to many roofs in Miami, because so much poor construction had been allowed. He told of poor cooperation from other roofing shops in the area, who had done little to help him make the meeting a success. As Palmer poured out his heart to the members, his message was underscored by the realization that his was the only local shop represented. Perhaps, Palmer suggested, the other shops couldn’t come because they were busy taking care of leaks caused by the storm. Continuing the depressing discourse, George A. Churchill reported things were worse in St. Petersburg. His local trade Association had suspended all activities for the duration of the war. Palmer said he had heard some members say the state association should be discontinued. He asked for a vote to express the opinion of the assembly. The members voted unanimously to continue despite the war. Though World War II was only a few months old, the demands for material, men and supplies had begun to take its toll. During the Convention, members learned that steel was becoming scarce and securing asphalt was a problem. Asphalt was available, but there was difficulty in shipping it overland and distributing it. Members were advised to use tar. Even the trusty little nail was scarce. Although there were a scant 80 members present at that bleak Convention in 1942, the reasons were understandable. The storm and resulting leaks had kept many dedicated roofing and sheet metal contractors working in a continuous downpour. Many who had attended the previous year found themselves in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Convention of 1943 was set for Lake Wales but was canceled because of the united war effort. The