Sacramento SMC Shines in California
SMCs from Washington and California came together at the SMC Workshop at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference to share ideas and discuss how to run a successful SMC. Here is one SMC's story of how they have achieved success.

Last year the Superior California (Sacramento) SMC set a goal of reaching 500 members, and they accomplished that goal with a fresh approach to welcoming new members, and getting new volunteers involved from the beginning.

One important aspect of growing membership was to get new members involved as active participants, because they knew that member volunteers would get higher returns on their membership and were more likely to promote the council and renew their membership. New members of the Sacramento SMC are sent a welcome packet, which details the benefits of membership and encourages them to join a committee and get involved.

The first part of the packet lists and explains all the benefits of membership:

• Contacts
• Education
• Recognition
• Social Times
• Professionalism
• Advantage

Then the packet introduces the SMC committees and explains volunteers’ roles on each committee. This creates the impetus for members to get involved, while also explaining how each committee fits into the SMC's overall structure. New members understand the importance of each committee in planning the programs and events.

One particularly innovative committee is the “Sunshine Ambassadors.” Their new member packet asks, “Are you the type of person who enjoys cheering people?  Someone is sick… there is a new baby… someone has died… or perhaps we hear of a member’s promotion… As a member of this committee you can do just that! Send a card, drop a note, and/or give a call on behalf of SMC!” This group reaches out to members on behalf of the entire SMC during joyous or solemn occasions. “It is a simple program like this that brings a group closer together,” says Bridget Powers, SMC President from 2002-2004.

Another successful committee is the Sponsorship Committee, which solicits member volunteers who are adept at raising money. The new member packet states, “If you like talking to folks about donations… or are goal-driven, then this is the committee for you!” Powers explains that a few years ago they revamped their sponsorship committee. “Each committee member is responsible for bringing in a certain dollar amount each year, which is determined after we have set up our budget," she says. "With each member helping out a big task has become manageable, and we have more than doubled our sponsorships.”  

The Superior California SMC knows how to get members involved and how to maximize the skills and abilities of each volunteer. Instead of simply calling for volunteers for the Sponsorship Committee, they ask for members with certain skills — members who would love to call and ask for money to support various SMC programs and events. This creates successful programs and events, and gives new members a way to see how their contribution to the group is important.

How does the SMC accomplish all of this? “An upbeat and positive attitude as well as a good and open-minded BIA support staff makes a huge difference. When we are all willing to work together for the common good, things just happen,” says Ingrid Pierson, a SMC Board Member.

For more great ideas, download the newly updated 100+ Bright Ideas for Your SMC. If your SMC has a success it would like to share, please email tblanchard@nahb.com.  [ return to top ]