I can think of no better demonstration of the value of membership in the Rhode Island Builders Association than our successes during the 2012 session of the General Assembly. Thanks to support from the legislative leadership and key lawmakers, we achieved important milestones in fire code reform and wetlands rule-making. And we can look forward to a statewide, Internet-based permitting system in the not too distant future.
We also have a $25 million housing bond issue on the November ballot. If passed, this will be a tremendous boost to workforce housing in Rhode Island, as well as to the housing industry. If what was accomplished by the $50 million housing bond issue in 2006 was any example, the 2012 version deserves our excitement and active support.
If you work in the residential construction industry, and especially if you are a building or remodeling contractor, you benefit from this and everything else that RIBA does. So why join if you benefit anyway? Because you benefit most if you are a member!
As a member, you get myriad benefits designed to find you work and save you money. These are described in detail on page after page of RIBA's Membership Benefit Guide, available at the association's East Providence headquarters or downloadable at www.RIBUILDERS.org. As a member, you also get a chance to participate in RIBA's legislative and regulatory advocacy. You can be right where the action is, benefiting not only the industry but your own business.
Information and knowledge are everything in today's market. And RIBA is the place to find both - if you're a member.
We are now engaged in our first membership drive in decades, and we have just introduced a new incentive: If you are a member who sponsors a full new member through Dec. 31, you'll receive a $50 cash reward!
We also offer a new "Affiliate Member" category, designed to reach out to the employees of builder and associate members. Affiliate members must be employed by a full RIBA member, but they can enjoy all the benefits of RIBA and National Association of Home Builders membership for just $20 a year. This is a service to our member companies, and it's a great way to add value to working for your company!
For more information, see page 15 or contact Elizabeth Carpenter at the RIBA office, [email protected] or (401) 438-7400.

We can accomplish so much more together than we ever can alone!

Robert Baldwin is president of R.B. Homes, Inc., Lincoln and is president of RIBA.