The Quiet Backbone of Our Industry - Volunteerism in Local Associations

3 days ago

3 min read

Taken from the President's Article, of the MPMCA's 2026 Fall Magazine.

I’ve sat on more committees and boards than I can count—some by choice, some because I didn’t step backward fast enough when someone said, "We need volunteers." After a couple decades, I’ve learned something as true as gravity: our industry runs on volunteerism, and we don’t talk about that nearly enough.

I’m talking especially about local associations—the ones working close to home, often with a small staff, a tight budget, and a to-do list long enough to require its own zip code. In these organizations, volunteerism isn’t a "nice to have." It’s the engine, the fuel, and sometimes even the brakes.

Why Volunteerism Gets Lost in the Shuffle

Let’s be honest: volunteering isn’t the easiest sell these days. We’re juggling projects, manpower shortages, customer demands, economic pressure, and the eternal hunt for that ever-important dollar. Some days it feels like we’re sprinting just to stay in place. Add labor-management tension, hesitation about speaking up, and the general "I don’t have time for one more thing" attitude, and volunteering quickly lands at the bottom of a very long list.

But that’s exactly why it matters.

The Stuff You Don’t See on the Brochure

When you volunteer locally, you’re not just attending meetings. You’re building bridges among contractors, associations, labor, and the communities we serve. You’re helping preserve hard-earned knowledge so the next generation doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel every five years.

You’re also giving working people a say in the decisions that affect training, safety, recruitment, and the future of the trade. If the people doing the work aren’t in the room, an important voice is missing. Showing up says, "We’re in this together, and we care enough about the future of our trade to help shape it."

A Salt of the Earth Truth

I’ll be blunt—because that’s how I’m wired. If we don’t value volunteerism more intentionally, we’ll feel the consequences slowly, quietly, and painfully over time. Local associations can’t do it alone. They don’t have the staff, the hours, or the magic wand—I’ve checked.

What they do have is us: owners, contractors, crew leaders, apprentices, seasoned tradespeople, and everyone who has been around long enough to know better and still cares enough to try.

The Fun Part Nobody Talks About

Here’s the secret: volunteering is actually fun. Not every minute, of course. Some meetings feel like watching paint dry while someone reads the bylaws out loud. But the good moments are really good. You meet people you’d never otherwise cross paths with. You influence decisions that matter. You laugh, debate, solve problems, and occasionally say something so blunt it becomes a running joke for the next three meetings.

You become part of something bigger than your company or your daily job—and that’s good for the soul.

A Gentle Nudge (Maybe Not So Gentle)

So here’s my ask, whether you own the company, lead a crew, are learning the trade, or have been doing this work for 30 years: show up. Raise your hand. Start with one meeting, one event, or one conversation. You don’t have to sign away every Tuesday night for the rest of your life.

Then, if it feels right, join a committee, a trust fund, a team, or a board. Offer your perspective. Share your experience. Do it because our industry needs people who understand the work, and because the future of our trade will be stronger when those people are willing to help shape it.

Volunteerism isn’t glamorous, and it isn’t always easy. But it reminds us that this industry is built on people who care.

If you’re reading this, I’m willing to bet you’re one of them.