Looking for Help with New Chapter!

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1

Originally Posted By: rbracklow
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Hello Folks,


I am starting a New NACHI chapter in Northern California - NorCal NACHI - on February 14th, 2004, and am wondering if there is someone out here in the NorCal area that would like to help me with starting this Chapter.

I am looking for advice, help, freebies and promotions. Any takers??

If interested, please contact me at;

Ron Bracklow, PE
774 Litchfield Ave.
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 829-5344 Business
(707) 478-2875 Cell
w6br@sbcglobal.net
www.bbproperty.com

Thank you all, and I hope you don't all call at once!! ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)

Ron.

2

Originally Posted By: dvalley
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Inspection Software


info@palm-tech.com contact Will, He was my contact.


ProfessionalEquipment
http://www.professionalequipment.com/xq/ASP/qx/contactus.htm


Tool Experts
http://www.toolexperts.com/

Homegauge Inspection Software
http://www.homegauge.com/inspector/support/index.html

And any other Home Inspection tool/software companies that you prefer to advertise at your meeting. Asking for donations is the fun part.


Good Luck on your initial kick-off meeting!

--
David Valley
MAB Member

Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

3

Originally Posted By: rbracklow
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Hello David,


Than you for your reply. It surprises me that you were the only one to reply. I thought that perhaps that some of the other Chapter Presidents, etc. might want to share some of their positives and negatives, i.e. pitfalls, etc.

I have contacted the referenced vendors and I'm certain that they will help.

Thank you again for your help!

Ron

4

Originally Posted By: mpatton
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Ron,


Good luck on the chapter, I can give you some basics on starting the chapter. With help I started the Kentucky-Indiana-Ohio (KOI) chapter back in November. Thanks to Erby, Nick and my wife Teresa.

When making dinner/room reservations make sure that you can go over by approximately 5 people without problems.

Charge $X the same amount for those that come for the dinner as well as those that come only for the meeting.

Charge an extra couple of dollars to cover unexpected expenses.

Check with Nick to make sure he will cover any overruns.

Make sure Nick is available for the first meeting.

Good luck on compiling a list of inspectors within any given area if licensing is not required, this was a pain.

Check with Nick or I belive Leia? for assistance on compiling an e-mail list of inspectors.

We mailed out post cards do to the limited e-mail addresses found, not as simple as it sounds. (I can forward a copy of the post card if you like)

RSVP to one specific person not you & or others, this gets pretty crazy.

If you do pay by the plate as one bill make sure the $ per plate includes taxes $ gratuities and any other usage charges.

Make sure your cut of date for reservations is well understood typically 3 to 4 days prior to the meeting date.

Payment by credit card, check or cash excepted?

Sign/banner, start early to make sure you have it in plenty of time.

Hold in a room that doors can be closed and the room can be isolated from noise within the rest of the facility.

Suggest that you have name tags available for attendees.

Set-up a table at the entry to the room to handle payment, recommend two people at the table.

Provide receipts for each attendee.

Be able to adjust the air hot/cold.

Arrange for the serving and the removal of dishes with the serving staff so that it coordinates with your speakers and is not a distraction.

At the entrance provide a jar/bowl for business cards to be drooped into for drawing door prizes, this also provides you with an accurate list of who is in attendance and contact information.

If catalogs have been provided be sure to identify to the attendees if a discount is being provided for this group.

Have a digital camera on hand and take pictures.

Have a good time!!!

Good luck, if I can be of further assistance let me know. ![nachi_nachi.gif](upload://uHOMNyaTr9Egc1VkzoQvcptyboG.gif)

--
Michael Patton
AA Home Inspection
Serving Northern KY & Greater Cincinnati OH

AA@AAHomeInspection.net
www.AAHomeInspection.net

5

Originally Posted By: rbracklow
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Michael,


Thank you so much for your pointers - they are/will be very helpful. You've answered some questions on how and why which I really appreciate.

Question, when you have the business cards placed in a container for the gift drawings, you just have someone draw a credit card and then hand the gift to them, correct??

Also, did you have a sign in sheet, or just used the business cards??

I don't understand to charge the same for dinner or no dinner - Nick has advertised that there is no cost to anyone, except for dinner. Why charge for entrance?? That brings up a good point to the future Chapter meetings, do you charge an entrance fee, and if you do, how much. I assume we use this money for Pick-nicks, etc.

I am starting the Chapter meeting at 5:30 PM, with cocktails for 1/2 hour then dinner at 6:00 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM. Now, did you get up there and announce the speakers, Nick, et all?

You mentioned two people at a entrance table, one to collect the cash, etc. I assume you give them a receipt, or would a ticket for the dinner suffice. Man, 50 to 60 people, that's a lot of receipts?? ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)

I'm having a problem getting people to volunteer and help. Any suggestions??

What are you doing to further the chapter meeting monthly - how did you contact the people, off of their business cards, via e-mail, flyer, or post card. Yes, please send a copy.

Maybe I can do like Samantha the witch, wiggle my nose and it will all be taken care of.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Ron

6

Originally Posted By: mpatton
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Ron,


Glad the in formation helpful, I will try to answer your questions best I can.

1)
Quote:
Question, when you have the business cards placed in a container for the gift drawings, you just have someone draw a credit card and then hand the gift to them, correct??


At the end of the meeting after our speakers (3) were done, Erby and I stood in the podium area and drew for each gift with a description of each one and drew from the business cards and had them come forward and claim the prize (you have to still be there to win)

2)
Quote:
Also, did you have a sign in sheet, or just used the business cards??


Teresa had compiled a sign in sheet that she maintained at the door, she checked people off as they paid and added names as required.

3)
Quote:
I don't understand to charge the same for dinner or no dinner - Nick has advertised that there is no cost to anyone, except for dinner. Why charge for entrance?? That brings up a good point to the future Chapter meetings, do you charge an entrance fee, and if you do, how much. I assume we use this money for Pick-nicks, etc.


Check with Nick on this for the first meeting.
The reason I identified this is that some people will come after dinner has officially been served and the kitchen will automatically count them in and serve them regardless and some one has to pay if this occurs. Also you need to pay for your "guest speakers" dinner.

4)
Quote:
Now, did you get up there and announce the speakers, Nick, et all?


Nervous! is how I did it. Basic answer, went to the podium told them who I was and that this was the first meeting KOI NACHI etc. and who the speakers would be and a big welcome to all, As each speaker completed their portion I stepped forward and announced the next etc.

5)
Quote:
You mentioned two people at a entrance table, one to collect the cash, etc. I assume you give them a receipt, or would a ticket for the dinner suffice. Man, 50 to 60 people, that's a lot of receipts??


See your #2, Teresa used a sign in sheet. We did not have receipts which caused some work after the meeting, a pre printed stack of receipts (no names) is the way I will go in the future.

6)
Quote:
I'm having a problem getting people to volunteer and help. Any suggestions??


In our case Erby volunteered locally, Nick and the NACHI staff helped and Teresa (did most of the leg work). I don't have nay suggestions on volunteers.

7)
Quote:
What are you doing to further the chapter meeting monthly - how did you contact the people, off of their business cards, via e-mail, flyer, or post card. Yes, please send a copy.


Do to our attempting to have a joint meeting with our State association KREIA and legislative meetings in KY we have yet to meet again. I am just now trying to set the next one up.

![icon_cool.gif](upload://oPnLkqdJc33Dyf2uA3TQwRkfhwd.gif) I will forward some of the stuff that we created.


Ron, Hope my slant on things helps you out, again if I can be of help let me know.

--
Michael Patton
AA Home Inspection
Serving Northern KY & Greater Cincinnati OH

AA@AAHomeInspection.net
www.AAHomeInspection.net
7

Originally Posted By: rsummers
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Ron Thanks for setting up a Northern Calif chapter. Do you have any idea how many Inspectors will be attending this Meeting? Its a good thing you are having the meeting close to the city. I don’t know if I could have got my wife to come seeing how its on Valentines Day.

8

Originally Posted By: mbailey
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Lots of good advice Michael, especially about the receipts.


But I have to disagree on charging for the meal whether you are there or for the meal or not. You advertise a free meeting and then an individual gets to the door and gets charged for a meal, even though that person does not want the meal?
Under that circumstance I for one would not pay to go to a meeting. And if I was not a member of NACHI, and wanted to attend this free meeting, that may be enough reason for me to say?. what a bunch of losers, free meeting my a$$

Perhaps in the announcement if you listed times for dinner and actual meeting start time this would help.

Food for thought? ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)

--
Mark Bailey
Stonegate Property Inspections LLC
Ponca, NE

9

Originally Posted By: dbush
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Ron, I am with Mark on this comment about only charging for dinner. The hotel we have our meeting at charges for the room and we have the dinner caterered. They put enough food in for basically groups of five, in other words, 20 - 25 people, 25-30, etc. It is a modified buffet style and it works really well.


We have our guest speakers speak for 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on how verbose they get. We have door prizes at the end of the meeting and ensure that at least an e-mail list of attendees get to the members for that area. Prefer a phone list so if anyone has questions they can call another inspector in their area.

--
Dave Bush
MAB Member

"LIFE'S TOUGH, WEAR A HELMET"

10

Originally Posted By: mpatton
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


If you notice I did clarify "check with Nick on the first meeting, meetings after that are the ones in question.


Quote:
Check with Nick on this for the first meeting.
The reason I identified this is that some people will come after dinner has officially been served and the kitchen will automatically count them in and serve them regardless and some one has to pay if this occurs. Also you need to pay for your "guest speakers" dinner.


Does this make since if not you will have to mark dinner up, or who springs for any unexpected overruns and guest speakers dinner on a regular basis?

Again I was asked and not mandating that this is what is to be done only suggesting. ![nachi_nachi.gif](upload://uHOMNyaTr9Egc1VkzoQvcptyboG.gif)

--
Michael Patton
AA Home Inspection
Serving Northern KY & Greater Cincinnati OH

AA@AAHomeInspection.net
www.AAHomeInspection.net
11

Originally Posted By: rbracklow
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Hi Michael, Rolland, Mark & Dave.


Hey thank you Gentlemen for all your good advice and pointers. You've made my job a lot easier and more confident.

I just wanted to make certain that all my Ducks are in a row and in order. I just want to make certain that we come across professionally the first time around here in California, considering the competition.

Rolland, we are expecting roughly between 50 to 60 people, plus the speakers and sponsors - I hope to see you there!

Listen guys, I really do appreciate all the help you've given me on this and other forums. This really is a wonderful and outstanding Group, and very experienced and knowledgeable Inspectors, and I am very happy to be part of this Great Organization.

Here's to a great inspection and business year to all of us.

Ron.

12

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Ron:


I'll cover any cost overruns for your first meeting. It is typical to come up short sometimes.

Nick

13

Originally Posted By: rbracklow
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Thanks Nick,


I knew you would come through!! ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)

See you in California, bring your shorts! ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)

Ron.

14

Originally Posted By: Chris Norman
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Ron,


How did the first meeting go? Am new to NACHI and plan on joining in the near future. Would like to get involved and help you as I can with the chapter. Don’t know how the practics of that will work out as I am in the Chico-Paradise area. Email me or respond here and hopefully we can hook up and make the NorCal chapter a good one!


Look forward to speaking with you one way or another!


Chris Norman

15

Originally Posted By: rbracklow
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Hi Chris,


We welcome all the help that one may avail of themselves, thank you!

The 1st NorCal NACHI Chapter Meeting went off with an exiting bang. Much information was given, Nick's help was excellent and a good time was held by all. ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif) ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)

We have some exciting things coming up in the near future with our next meeting on April 24th in the San Rafael area. Nick will be out again, as well as Jim or Scott from ReportHost will be there, and perhaps Leslie Boggs from EMSL Labs.

I am going to have a major topic at each meeting, with exceptional speakers to help us all.

Be sure to say hello and I/we all look forward to having you join our Chapter and NACHI, it will be an exciting time for you.

Incidentally, there are several NACHI members in the Chico/Redding area that you might travel down with. Once you join NACHI you will be able to go on the Featured Inspectors Site and look up the location of all NACHI Members and their phone numbers. Give them a call and work something out with them.

Good luck and welcome onboard to the BEST Home Inspection Association in the Country!! ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)

Ron.

--
The highest compliment my clients can give me, is the referral of their Friends, Family and Business Associates!

NorCal NACHI Chapter Founder and Chairman.

16

Originally Posted By: Chris Norman
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Ron,


Thanks for the reply and am so glad meeting went well. This is a great orginization! Will definitely keep in touch.


Thanks again,


Chris