I don’t want to cause some bad wintry mojo, but spring has officially arrived. We are slipping slowly from winter’s cold grip and into spring’s promise of growth. The uncommonly frigid winter has slowed our industry some, especially in the new home construction market. Most of us have stayed steady through the cold months, or possibly even experienced a slight dip in production in the first two months of 2014, but optimism is buzzing for a strong 2nd quarter.

Exciting things are happening with your SCA as well. The next generation is involved and bringing fresh ideas to the table. Committees are filling with new faces (but there is still room for you!). Committee work is in full swing and fulfilling the association’s mission. Our new meeting location seems to be a hit as does the variety of meeting times. The methods the SCA uses to communicate is also expanding.

I don’t know your feelings on the proliferation of social media, and I have heard the full gamut of pros and cons on the subject. The truth is that social media has fully integrated into our culture and it is here to stay. The form it takes and the way it is used will continue to evolve, but it has become an accepted and used means of communication. E-mail is a type of social media that is widely accepted. It fits perfectly into our fast-paced work environment. Texting is the mobile version of e-mail, and is becoming equally as popular. We can quickly send a note or memo to a multitude of people with a few keystrokes. It enables us to multitask. Did you know that there are people who still use the fax machine? Yep it’s true. The fax is not completely dead.

Facebook is so popular that it has become a verb, “Hey, Dave, will you Facebook that invitation to April’s general meeting?” Grammatically speaking do I still have to capitalize Facebook when used as a verb? I have a Facebook account that I visit about once a month. It is a useful way of keeping up with events and people without actually having to attend the event or talk to the people. A vendor got me involved with Facebook. I have a Linkedin account. It is a site for business people who want to be connected and network. I only use it when someone invites me to be connected. I don’t want to appear rude. Buck Van Hooser got me involved with Linkedin. I have a Twitter account and have Tweeted a dozen times or so. Kirk Elmquist got me involved with Twitter. I have a YouTube account that was set up last summer simply to load video of the old pig roast skits. My son got me involved with YouTube. I have a CaringBridge account that Amy Sherrill got me into. I am not yet on Flickr or Ibibo, or Skoob, or Virb or any of the other hundreds of social media sites… I said yet.

There are social media platforms for almost everything. I think there may even be a site called Qtastic for sycophants of Richard Quint. If not, there should be. Dave Robertson wants to start MyFriend: the social media site for people who are my friends. Is this all silliness? Well, I suppose that depends on your perspective and in some cases your age, but in truth, social media can be an effective tool for communicating, for marketing, for catching up, for research, for connectivity. It allows you to follow the health of a very sick friend without intruding (CaringBridge). It allows you to share photographs with your family who live halfway across the world (Flickr). It allows specific professional groups to share ideas (HR.com). It allows information and events to be shared in real time (Twitter). Social media shrinks an already shrinking planet

Mark Gambon may tell you that social media offends personal interaction. To some degree he is right. Face to face communication is unmatched for the most effective means of communication. But if used properly, virtual connectivity fills the gap and allows for contact and information at your fingertips. The Springfield Contractors Association is catching up with what is happening. We are developing our Facebook page and exploring the most effective ways for us to stay in touch with you. In-person networking events are still number one, but the way we let you know about them is a whole new normal. That’s my two cents.

— Brent