With membership a major point of his presidency, PHCC President Bill Trombly discussed the association's continuing campaign to increase membership to 6,000 members by 2005."We have set new incentives to bring in membership and many states have taken advantage of what we have to offer," Trombly said at the PHCC Convention, Oct. 30. "We at National will credit a state $100 for every new member they get that pays a full year's dues."

Trombly's sentiments were reiterated by the top officers taking over for Trombly in the coming year.

"I want to bring National closer to the member on the local level," said Eddie Hollub, PHCC president-elect. "We have a plan for 2003 that will build on what Bill started in 2002."

Meanwhile, PHCC vice president Steve Carder, who has also served as membership committee chairman since 1999, said the association is beginning to see an upturn in membership. "I appreciate what PHCC has done for me and for Carder Plumbing. I want the thousands of contractors who are not here today to learn what I have learned."

One way PHCC is increasing what it does for members is in the area of government relations. Mark Giebelhaus, chairman of the association's Legislative Committee, reported on how his group has renewed its emphasis on working on Capitol Hill.

"A survey conducted by the PHCC Education Foundation determined that more than 90 percent of PHCC members believe their biggest need from the national office is representation of the industry before congress and federal agencies," he said.

To help fill that need, the year's convention name badges included a "PAC man" sticker to help increase contributions for lobbying activities. As an added incentive, PHCC held a drawing for a free registration to next year's convention for those who filled out the special PAC forms. To further raise money, the committee held its first annual PCA silent auction last night.

As a result of lobbying activity, PHCC is determined that no law or regulation that affects the industry is put forward without the input of PHCC members. With that in mind, Giebelhaus announced the development of a special scoring system - a database of all federal legislators identifying where they voted on issues relevant to our industry.

Finally, participants were encouraged to fill out a government relations survey questionnaire in order to help the committee rank its legislative/regulatory priorities.

The association listed other ways it's filling the needs of its members:

In other membership-related news, Mike Kastner, head of the Professional Product Line, announced that American Body Co. has joined the list of products specially marketed for the trade.

James Driscoll, chairman of the PHCC Educational Foundation, said the "Managing PHC Projects" course will debut both an essentials and an advanced version of the intensive four-day class. The seminar will also be held in various locations around the country.

In addition, Trombly recognized various winners of the association's 2002 membership contest:

The Missouri PHCC with a retention rate of 98 percent won the best retention rate for a state with less than 100 members. For a state with more than 100 members, the New York PHCC won with a retention rate of 91 percent.

The Connecticut PHCC took top honors with the largest percentage of new members, posting 27 percent growth in new members.

The Texas PHCC won the prize for most new members with 38.

While membership was a common refrain throughout the day, the PHCC attended to other business. The Scholarship Committee handed out several scholarships.

The following students will receive up to $12,000 over the next four years: Jason Kopke, sponsored by Afton Inc., Spring, Texas, was awarded the Charles F. Hiley Sr. Scholarship; John Mike D'Agostino, sponsored by Tatro Plumbing Co., Garden City, Kan.; and Lane Burt, sponsored by Mechanical Contractors Inc., Charlotte, N.C.

The following students, enrolled in a two-year community college, technical college or trade school will each receive up to $3,000 over two years: James B. Danielson, sponsored by Rapids Plumbing and Heating Inc., Grand Rapids, Minn.; and Kyle Fancher, sponsored by Rudy Gasper Plumbing, Binghamton, N.Y.

Finally, the following students will each receive $2,500 over two semesters: Joseph L. Parks, sponsored by Goyette Mechanical Co. Flint, Mich.; and Bradley White, sponsored by Repairs Inc., South Bend, Ind.

During the annual In-Sink-Erator Luncheon, the NAPHCC Auxiliary honored the following:

The PHCC of Baton Rouge, Louisiana Auxiliary won the Image Award.

The PHCC of Delaware Auxiliary won the Recruitment Award.

Dorothy Clem of PHCC of Illinois won the 3-D Award, a new "Hall of Fame" award. The Auxiliary will name its Woman of the Year Award this Saturday at the PHCC closing banquet.