"The Modular Building Institute and its Decision-Making Process" The President's Message, November / December 2000 by Randall D. Holler, Manufactured Structures Corporation

A lot of decisions are made on an ongoing basis at the MBI. While many MBI members have served on the Board of Directors over the years and have seen how the process works, I am sure there are many new members that are interested in how the whole decision-making process works, so that they may get their own ideas into play. Knowing the basics can help you achieve your goal.

It seems that there are six main groups or individuals generating ideas for consideration and taking action. They are as follows, in my own personal rank of overall influence:

1. The Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC)
2. The Executive Director
3. The President and Vice President
4. The Executive Committee
5. The Board of Directors
6. Standing and Ad Hoc Committees

Many members may not have even heard of the Long Range Planning Committee, or LRPC as the Board calls it. I would guess that many members of the Board do not consider it as influential as I. But many activities of the past several years were initiated due to the recommendations of the LRPC.

The LRPC is composed of a group of past MBI Board Presidents and is chaired by the immediate Past President. Because of their status and previous support of the organization, this group is given great respect as they influence long-range plans, just as their group title suggests.

The MBI Seals Program is just one of many ideas initiated by the LRPC. Other recommendations not fully implemented include:

1. Hire an industry spokesperson
2. Review MBI Headquarters space and consider using a modular building
3. Evaluate and implement regional chapters

Programs ongoing in addition to the new Seals Program, which the LRPC promoted, include:

1. Maintain a financially sound association
2. Provide educational opportunities
3. Monitor and influence regulatory agencies
4. Recognize outstanding contributions by industry members

There are other MBI activities, which were promoted by the LRPC as well. Currently, Ramtech's Linc Moss chairs this committee. Other active members include Barry Gossett (Williams Scotsman), Mike Roman (Resun), Mike Morton (Modular Technology), and Robert Kullman (Kullman Industries).

The Executive Director is the most influential full-time employee we have. Judy Smith is thus the most accessible of the MBI decision-makers. Judy is almost 100% sure to bring members' ideas to the attention of the Board President or appropriate Committee Chair.

Judy has a staff of three skilled employees available to help members. They by far do most of the association's work. Judy, along with Steven Williams, Matthew Gunning, and Betty Muri, make the Board's work relatively easy. There is no doubt in my mind that our staff is dedicated and skilled. Their achievements far exceed those which our limited budget should lead us to expect.

It is only logical that the Association is able to perform more and better things for its membership with the addition of each new employee. While Board members are pretty dedicated to the industry, they are part-time volunteers with full-time jobs elsewhere. I believe an important step will be made when a full-time industry spokesperson is employed by the MBI.

The MBI President's influence is primarily the result of three things:

1. The President conducts meetings, assigns members to committees, determines the time available for committees, decides the time available for each subject discussed, limits debate, etc.
2. The President is usually able to guide the Board to tackle one major item or area during their one-year term. For example, I decided to bring the seal issue to a head after five or more years of Board discussion.
3. As a public figure the President has a public forum to disseminate ideas and gain accessed to members ideas.

I readily admit that other Presidents have been more active. The Board jelled on the Seals Program more rapidly than expected. Because I chose to serve you due to appreciation for the prior efforts of others, my agenda was apparently less ambitious. At the same time we are trying to accumulate the funding necessary to move onto future important long-range matters and a lull in new activity might help us accumulate the money we need. I am available for your calls at any time. I can be reached at MSC's phone number, which is 219-825-9518.

The Executive Committee is composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, immediate Past President, and Executive Director. This group rarely meets. But when it does, it means something serious is under consideration. This group would discuss employee compensation or member disciplinary action, for example.

This committee would seldom meet to address a member's question or concern. However, I am sure that anyone in this group would be happy to facilitate other action for a member.

The Board of Directors influence is the consequence of being able to vote on important association matters. The four main areas of membership are fairly represented on the full Board. These areas include dealers, manufacturers, integrated companies and associate members (primarily suppliers).

In fact, the Board is divided into three Councils that are charged with representing the interests of manufacturers, dealers, and integrated companies. Pat Van Den Bossche (Modtech Holdings) chairs the Manufacturer Council, Mike Wilmot (Wilmot Modular) chairs the Dealer Council, and Robert Kullman chairs the Integrated Council.

You can find the Board's full membership roster in your printed membership directory or online at http://www.mbinet.org/member/board/index.html.

If you want the name of a board member near you or want the names of those representing your particular interest, you may call MBI Headquarters at 804-296-3288 or just check your latest copy of Factory Built Structures magazine.

As you might expect, most of the work done by the Board happens in committee. Currently standing committee chairs include:

1. Annual Meeting and Awards
1. Laurie Robert (NRB)
2. Legislative and Regulatory
2. Jerry Brosius (NTA)
3. Industry Statistics
3. Pat Van Den Bossche
4. Membership
4. Michael Wilmot
5. Financial
5. Marv Shetler (Blazer)
6. Public Relations & Marketing
6. Jeff Deutschendorf (Mckinney)
7. Long Range Planning
7. Linc Moss
8. Nominations
8. Linc Moss

Our only ad hoc committee is working on the Seals Program and is jointly chaired by Jeff Deutschendorf and Mike Wilmot.

What comes to the floor during a full Board meeting is primarily determined in committee, but the full Board votes to accept or reject committee recommendations when appropriate.

It then seems logical that getting an idea in front of the Board is as simple as calling a Board member. They would then normally pass the concern onto the appropriate committee. You, as a member, can, of course, simply go directly to the committee chair yourself. This group is dedicated to serving you and we are all sincerely appreciative when you call us with ideas.

Randy Holler of Manufactured Structures Corporation in Middlebury, Indiana was elected president of the Modular Building Institute in March 2000.

Copyright © Modular Building Institute, November 2000.