Who and what makes the FMB? What do other members do to shape its work? You are busy running your business and juggling all the priorities, so your FMB membership may just tick along nicely in the background. For many, gaining and maintaining FMB accreditation is enough: along with the van stickers and site signage proudly displaying FMB’s logo alongside your own.
Members make the FMB
For the FMB to support its members effectively, we have always needed members to step forward and get involved. The FMB is run by members for members: this is in our DNA. Our voice is so much stronger when members are able to give up their precious time and share their insights and experiences. This isn’t just about completing FMB surveys, it is also about representing fellow members.
A good example of this is your FMB Scotland Board. The Board is made up of 14 members elected by fellow Scotland-based FMB members. Led by your Scotland President Pam Wilson, the Scotland Board provide invaluable support to me and help to shape our work in Scotland. It’s not just turning up and speaking out at virtual or in-person meetings: important though this is. Here are a couple of examples of where your volunteer fellow members help our community of members in Scotland.
Speaking out on skills and workforce matters
All members know that skills and labour shortages aren’t new but a new development this January is the launch of the Standards and Qualifications Council for Scottish Construction. The FMB will be a member of this new council. Stephen O’Neill, an FMB member based in Coatbridge and your Scotland Vice President, will attend the first meeting of this council.
Why is Stephen attending? Well I have a prior commitment with another member and to be blunt, the FMB needs to be involved on this council as a key voice in the construction industry. I am delighted that Stephen has volunteered to attend in my absence.
Promoting the FMB brand at events
Pam Wilson was one of the driving forces in setting up a Heritage Skills and Procurement Event in Stirling on 21 January. She secured an exhibition space for the FMB and will join me at the FMB stand to showcase FMB services and network with delegates.
My thanks to Stephen and Pam for their help. There are many other examples I can share where Scotland board members get out there to support our FMB community of builders in Scotland. I am hugely grateful for their help.
How can you get involved to support fellow members?
Putting yourself forward to be elected onto the Scotland board is one route. More details on this to follow in the spring. Another is simply to contact me to confirm you are willing to have a conversation about how and where you can contribute more. Your knowledge and insights will be welcomed, as I continue to voice the views of our members in Scotland.
Authors
Gordon Nelson
Director, Federation of Master Builders Scotland
