The Board of Directors meets quarterly to determine the focus of Foundation efforts. Some programs continue, and others sunset as needs are fulfilled. Current projects include the long-running Harold Swanson and Chad Woxland Wausau Homes scholarships, the consumer website www.home-smart.org, and the Katrina Relief Effort assisting fellow builders in need.

Scholarships

Working in conjunction with the Twin Cities Builders Outreach Foundation to reach the entire state, the Minnesota Building Industry Foundation has awarded seven scholarships to outstate graduating seniors in 2006.

Applicants must demonstrate an interest in the construction industry, the ability to maintain a good academic record, and show strong character. Congratulations to this year's winners:

• Brody Berg of East Gull Lake
• Derek Marohl of Elbow Lake
• Michael Pohlkamp of Pierz
• Cameron Buchite of Pine River
• Joshua Haas of Le Sueur
• Hans Herness of Byron
• Matthew Mullenbach of Owatonna

www.Home-Smart.org

As homes become more complex systems, it becomes more important for home owners to understand and complete vital maintenance to protect their homes. This is particularly important for the climate extremes we face in Minnesota. But often, owners are unaware of the tasks that need to be completed or are unsure of how to perform the necessary tasks.

The Foundation recognized this need, and came up with the solution —
www.Home-Smart.org. Through a series of meetings with builders and current home owners, the Foundation created a comprehensive content structure to meet their needs. The site provides maintenance schedules and how-to instructions to assist owners with vital tasks to keep their homes safe and comfortable.

Association members are encouraged to use www.home-smart.org as a tool when performing final walk-throughs. Brochures and magnets are available for a small fee.

Katrina Relief Efforts

When hurricanes devastated our Southern states, the country stepped into action to assist our fellow countrymen in need. Great organizations gathered supplies and manpower to attend to evacuees, but the Foundation saw another need.

It was our fellow members who would need to be back on their feet in order to assist their communities in rebuilding. The Foundation sent word to the Builders Association of Minnesota membership that we needed to help. Generous donations were received from across the state, and the Foundation distributed the funds to local builders associations in the affected regions.

The local associations used our donated funds toward public service announcements urging community members to hire licensed contractors for their rebuilding efforts. These announcements helped protect consumers from fly-by-night builders. Each time the announcements ran, the associations were flooded with requests for information on trustworthy, professional members.

With association revenue down due to canceled fundraising events and displaced members, they were thrilled to receive the assistance and sent wonderful letters of thanks for our efforts.