Home Builders & Remodelers Association

Of New Haven County

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NAHB Spike Program

Recruiting new members to your local association is an activity recognized and rewarded through the NAHB Spike Club Program. Those who participate are called Spikes and they are among the most valued members of the association.

Member-to-member recruitment and retention efforts are highly valued because of the grassroots growth and stability they bring to the association. These efforts lend to the development of the general membership and our leadership pipeline, keeping the face of our association true to that of our industry and the wide scope of interests we represent.

Spikes are the membership leaders of our federation, building the voice, power, and influence on every level, in every state!

The NAHB Spike Club is an organization composed of all of the individual members in local associations who have attained Spike status. It is a vehicle to recognize these members for their outstanding achievements in member recruitment and retention in their local builders association.

“In this era of excessive regulations and inflated costs, the strength of our membership drives our influence. I think I can speak for every member when I say how proud we are to be 235,000 members strong. Thank you, Spikes, for what (and who) you bring to the association.” — Jerry Howard, Chief Executive Officer- NAHB

“Being an ACTIVE member of my local Builders Association gives me an edge over my competition and a forum to meet buildersfrom my area. Each meeting held by the association is an opportunity to spend quality time with the builders, and being present at those events is one of the greatest benefits of membership." — Christian P. Finke, Associate Member Since 2002- Builders FirstSource, South Texas Division- Greater San Antonio Builders Association

A Spike is an individual NAHB member or employee of a member who has earned at least six Spike credits within two consecutive membership years. Spike credits are earned by recruiting and retaining NAHB and Council members. A Spike Candidate is an individual who earns between one and five credits and is on their way to reaching NAHB Spike status.

Spike Club Rules

The Spike Club membership year runs from January 1 through December 31. All membership activities and records are based on this 12-month period.

Spike credits are earned by individuals only. Firms do not qualify for credits. Any individual who works for a member firm is eligible to earn credits.

Spike credits are non-transferable once assigned.

Individuals may not sponsor or earn Spike credits (new or renewal) for his or her own membership.

A Spike member who transfers membership to another local association or changes companies may transfer his or her Spike credits by written request to the NAHB Membership and Associate Member Programs Department.

In order to be eligible to attend the annual NAHB Spike Club Party at NAHB’s International Builders’ Show, a Spike must be a member in good standing (6 credits) on NAHB’s Spike Club Roster and also must have earned at least one new member credit OR two ½ credits for new affiliate members OR two ½ new Council member credits by October 31 of the preceding membership year.

Individuals with memberships in more than one local must track their Spike credits under one NAHB Spike Club number in the association or their choice. This ensures the appropriate recognition as a Spike accumulates credits.

Achieving Spike Status

Spike Candidate/Tack Member (1-5 credits) When an individual earns their first new member, affiliate, council or retention credits, they become a Spike Candidate. Upon earning three credits, they reach Tack status.

Spike Member/Blue Spike (6 credits) To become a Spike member, an individual must earn six Spike credits within two consecutive membership years (January 1 – December 31). To retain Spike status a minimum of one credit (new or retention) must be earned each year until a total of 25 new and/or renewal credits have been earned, at which point Life Spike status is attained.

If the credit requirements for retaining Spike status are not met in any one membership year, all previous year’s Spike credits will be forfeited as of December of that year. To rejoin the Spike Club, a member must requalify as a Spike by earning six credits.

Life Spike (25 credits) A Life Spike is a Spike member who has attained 25 total credits. They are a “Spike for Life.” A Life Spike whose membership lapses may reinstate his credits upon rejoining by written request to the NAHB Membership and Associate Member Programs Department.

Additional Achievement Levels

Beyond the Life Spike level, Spikes can work to achieve the following levels each with its own special recognition:

Green Spike (50 & 75 credits); Red Spike (100 credits); Royal Spike (150 & 200 credits); Super Spike (250, 300 & 400 credits); Statesman Spike (500 & 750 credits); Grand Spike (1,000 credits); All-Time Big Spike (1,500 credits)

How Spike Credits Are Earned

New Member Spike Credits: Individuals earn one new member credit for each new full member sponsored. It is the HBA’s responsibility to accurately report new members and their sponsor’s PIN to NAHB.

Retention Spike Credits: One retention credit is automatically assigned to the sponsor of record for all first-year renewals if renewal occurs on or before their anniversary date. Members earn ½ retention credit for securing the renewal of a member renewing after their second year. Renewal must take place within the period of 60 days prior to their anniversary month to 30 days after the anniversary month. If a member renews during the reinstatement period (30-120 days past due), one retention credit can be awarded to any member who secures their renewal. Spike retention credits are automatically assigned to the most recent sponsor of record unless the association specifies otherwise.

Affiliate Spike Credits: A sponsor may earn ½ credit for recruiting a new Affiliate member and ½ retention credit for securing the renewal of an Affiliate member.

Council Spike Credits: A sponsor may earn ½ credit for recruiting a new Council member. When that member renews their Council Membership, the sponsor earns ¼ retention credit. Credits earned for recruiting and retaining Council members do qualify members for Spike status and for the Spike Party.

Spike Awards Each month NAHB automatically issues awards for Spikes in your association who have changed Spike Club levels. For a full listing of the Spike Club Awards at each level visit www.nahb.org/spikeclub. Items such as pins, certificates, plaques and trophies are sent automatically. HBA’s are also sent order forms each month for Choice Awards for which your members have qualified. Some of these items are available for a cost.

NAHB Spike Party Each year at the International Builders’ Show NAHB Spikes are able to earn tickets to the exclusive Spike Party and Directors’ Reception. In order to earn tickets to the Spike Party, Spikes must have at least 6 credits AND either one new member recruitment credit or two ½ Affiliate member recruitment credits OR two ½ new Council member credits by October 31 of the preceding year. Only eligible Spikes are awarded tickets to this highly coveted event.

For more information on earning credits and achieving Spike status, contact your local Home Builders Association or NAHB's Spike Club Coordinator at 800-368-5242, Ext. 8337 or via e-mail at membership@nahb.com.