From the President's Desk

CHRIS GOODWIN

 My original plan was to give an overview of what the PHCC has done for its  members in the last year. It is an extensive list, but I have decided to save it for the next newsletter.  Instead, since this is the time of year for giving and reflection I thought I would take some time to write about that. 

 I know giving goes both ways and when I tell people about the PHCC - I am always asked, “What can the PHCC do for me?”  It is a legitimate question. The PHCC does a lot for its members as well as for non-members.

 I look back now and see what a great opportunity I’ve been given.  I didn’t do well in high school, and was known as a “troublemaker.”  I drifted through community colleges for a couple of years primarily taking art classes.  At some point, I realized I had to do something at which I could earn a living so I took welding classes.  I got a job welding and did that for a couple of unhappy years. Then I got an offer to do plumbing in the city and found my calling.  I got my license in 1981 and the rest is history. Yes, I made the effort to start my business, and I suffered through many ups and downs, always learning things the hard way it seemed. But I was given the opportunity. How many places in the world could any of us is doing what we are doing. Even in this country, where larger companies have gobbled up the smaller mom and pops, we are still here. I always say that they will never be exporting my job to China.  I think part of the reason corporations don’t take over PHCC type businesses is because our success requires enormous personal effort. Systems work to a point, but without passion and personal commitment your business is not likely to thrive. 

That’s what I see in the PHCC dinners.  When I look out in that room I see a bunch of people who are fully committed to the work they do.  All of us, whether we are moving into an existing business or have started one, have a passion for what we do.  I think we are also all very thankful for what our work has provided for us personally and professionally. I think every one in that room realizes what they’ve been given and wants to give back.  For Board members, this can be the only reason. There’s no monetary reward for being on the board. No million dollar bonus… we wish!  It is simply about reciprocating and giving back to an organization that has provided for us. Time is the most precious thing a person can give and believe me, none of us have much of it. 

One of the ways we give back is simply by belonging to the PHCC. From there, you can take more steps to give back.  Every dinner or educational opportunity you or one of your employees attends gives back. You give back by elevating the quality of the work you do, by increasing your knowledge, and thereby raising the standards against which we are measured.  By doing that we can better educate our clients, who in turn, hopefully then expect more out of our competition.  Just as a rising tide raises all boats, by improving our quality we force our competition to be better. In this way we benefit our industry and ourselves. The stronger we are, the more power we have to force our industry to improve.  Let’s face it …contractors have a bad reputation that is the result of many things including poor education, cheap workmanship, and the poor regulation of licensing. If we had enough people and energy, we could change that and in turn elevate our quality and status. That is why participation in the PHCC is so important and why we need to get as many people involved as possible. 

This is why I want every one to think about not only what the PHCC can do for them, but what they can give back. I know it’s cliché, but it really is important. One of the things we are planning to do is work with Building Together to volunteer to do work for low-income folks. I am really hoping we can get a great turnout for this. 

Let’s all think about how lucky we are and how much we have benefited from the efforts of past PHCC plumbers who have made our path easier. It has been an honor to serve as PHCC president and I will continue to do my best to work with all of you to make the PHCC stronger, better and prouder.