ABCSEMI Issue 1, 2021

Southeast Michigan Contractors Issue 1 2021 9 had and, in all situations, exceeded their expectations. We improved our electronic outreach and increased our direct mail to make sure we kept our finger on the pulse of what our members were going through. For many struggling companies, knowing that ABC SEMI was still in their corner made a huge difference in surviving this demanding year.” Ledbetter was grateful that the ABC SEMI Board understood the need and vision he had to keep the organization running at full capacity and couldn’t argue the results certainly paid off for the organization and its members. “We invested heavily in providing our students with a safe online/in-person hybrid system of learning,” said Ledbetter. “It was important to update our technology to provide real-time streaming of classes and a segregated workshop experience that incorporated all the safety guidelines for COVID-19. But rest assured we are looking forward to being totally in person once again— giving our students that special hands-on experience.” The job of an association is to keep their members informed and educated on all aspects of the industry and the impact it will have on them. According to Ledbetter, it was the outreach to ABC SEMI members that made all the difference in 2020. “I cannot say enough about the way we stepped up to keep our members informed,” said Ledbetter. “Not just regarding the pandemic, but local regulations, state legislation, local, state and the presidential elections—it was an incredibly busy year. And even though we were very limited on the in-person contact, we excelled in planning online events and conferences both in our chapter and across the state to keep ABC members informed. I credit that hard work with our excellent retention numbers (91%) and the best year of growth with 38 new members since I became president here. Even though this was a good year, like many, I look forward to putting this pandemic in our rearview.”