Mike Silvers, CPRC, Owner Silvers Silvers Inc., and FRSA Technical Director
Like many of you, I recently received an email from FRSA informing me that our Convention and the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Expo had been cancelled. I know this was a very tough decision, but one that was necessary and, with all things considered, definitely the right one. Over many, many decades attending Convention has been a regular part of my life.
We are not alone in this. So many events have been cancelled, postponed or are being conducted by teleconference. For us, these include our Board and Committee meetings, seminars, apprenticeship classes and now Convention. The Future Builders of America Summit was cancelled. We will never know the important discussions or learning experiences that for now at least, will not take place.
The Florida Building Commission and Technical Advisory Committee meetings are now conducted by teleconference. This has been convenient but, unfortunately, this eliminates the hallway discussions that can be used to present different viewpoints that may influence a decision. A discussion on a conference call leaves a lot to be desired compared to a face-to-face review of the issues at hand.
Often, in real time, we can overlook the most important moments in these events. The firm handshake of a colleague, the welcomed hug of a good friend, kind words of encouragement, gratitude or condolence. The look on the face of the apprentices or other Convention newcomers when they realize what a big industry they are part of. A moving address by a speaker or important piece of information gained in a seminar. Most of all, I’ll miss the characters. The stuff that makes up the fabric of the human existence. The construction industry has many of these; FRSA certainly has more than its fair share. I’m not going to name names here. You know who you are and please, don’t change.
Contemplating the loss of our Convention brought back a lifetime of Convention memories. There have been some personal highlights. Being sworn in as this organization’s President and receiving the Campanella Award were both personally important and very humbling. Watching so many people that I respect and admire receive these and other recognitions also stand out.
But one particular memory came rushing back. It was during one of the now famous annual Welcome Receptions. Just before this event the Association sponsors a Past Presidents, Life, Honorary and Campanella Reception, so that many of us FRSA lifers could renew old friendships and acquaintances. I was in the middle of my first Convention as a member of the FRSA staff. There were new responsibilities to prepare for and new duties to contemplate. This was keeping me somewhat distracted. The party was roaring. Sitting on a long couch in the middle of the room was another FRSA lifer. He was one of my mentors and someone for whom I have great respect. I asked if I could sit with him and take a break for a few minutes. This gentleman (in the truest sense of the word) was getting on in years, so I decided that this might be a great opportunity to tell him how much of an influence he had been on my career and beyond. These conversations can be hard, but when heartfelt they can also be important. He was old school and wasn’t too big on warm and fuzzy, but of course, I persisted. The room seemed to go quiet as we reminisced. He and I did not always agree, but we always respected that we each had the interest of our Association and our industry at heart.
Several months later he fell ill, his family blessed me with the opportunity to talk to him one last time in his hospital room prior to his passing. I remain grateful that I had the chance to tell him how I felt during our discussion at Convention because life does not always allow us those moments. It wouldn’t have happened if we weren’t in that setting at that time. His son recently told me that he really seemed to spark up during our last visit at the hospital. I said he was ready to go at it one last time.
FRSA’s dedicated staff and volunteers are committed to make our new virtual Convention all that it can be. A new President and Executive Committee will be sworn in. Awards will be presented. Scholarships will be awarded. An online auction will be conducted, and many other programs will take place.
Seminars will also be presented virtually. They will be roofing-specific and presented by industry professionals. Many will cover the numerous roofing-related changes in the new 2020 7th Edition of the Florida Building Code. Don’t let these code changes or license renewal continuing education requirements sneak up on you. Preparing these seminars will be a challenge and a new learning experience. Our ability to accomplish this is necessary and will survive this temporary pause that we are all living with.
There will be a Convention next year and the one after that. Our leaders will make every attempt to share the spotlight with those for whom it was dimmed. It will take a lot more than a virus to dissuade our hardheaded and incredibly resilient roofing family. After all, we have survived 98 years’ worth of challenges and we’re just getting started.
With social distancing so much a part of this time, most of us will find ourselves at home with our families when we would have been attending the Convention. It makes this year’s theme seem especially fitting: “FRSA - A Family Tradition.”
Mike Silvers, CPRC is owner of Silver Systems Inc., and is consulting with FRSA as Director of Technical Services. Mike is an FRSA Past President, Life Member, and Campanella Award recipient and brings over 40 years of industry knowledge and experience to FRSA’s team
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