CAM Announces January 2020 Xactimate Training Classes
CAM is once again partnering with Xactware to hold (2) two day Xactimate training courses that will focus mainly on Exteriors. The curriculum will be mostly centered around Roofing, Siding and Windows. We are offering a Level 1 and a Level 2 class again this year, so if you already took the level 1 class then consider level 2 for a more in depth class on Xactimate. These classes are intended to prepare you to take the Level 1 and/or Level 2 Xactimate Certification exam.
• Learn how to Sketch a roof
• Discuss Line item details
• How to use Macros for speed and simplicity
• How to use code and manufacturers specs to make sure the estimate is complete
• How to make sure it’s the right dollar amount to get the job done correctly
There will be (1) Level 1 class on January 27th & 28th, 2020 and (1) Level 2 class on January 29th & 30th, 2020 – running from 8 am – 5 pm each day. Continental Breakfast and a Box Lunch provided. There is a strict limit of 25 attendees per session to maximize learning and answer individual questions, first come first served so register early!
Level 1 – January 27th & 28th, 2020 (Limit 25)
Level 2 – January 29th & 30th, 2020 (Limit 25)
Cost is $550 for CAM members and $650 for non-members. This is a significant savings from the usual offerings from Xactimate, and CAM created the class to focus mainly on exteriors. At this time, the state of MN does not recognize this class as Continuing Education, but we are working to change that.
Training will be located at:
Wells Fargo Plaza
7900 Xerxes Avenue South
Suite 215
Bloomington, MN 55437
CAM Announces Its 2020 Road Show Informational Series
Coming off the success of our 2019 Road Show informational series, CAM has set up some dates in early 2020 to continue giving you the most current and relevant information that effects your business!
Guest speakers at Road Shows to include Mike Goldenstein discussing MN Codes and application of them. Tim Johnson discussing O&P and new changes in the law affecting your business. Lisa Frenette discussing CAM’s legislative efforts and strategy.
These events are FREE to Members and only $10 for Non-Members – Appetizers Provided
Below are the dates and locations for 2020 – click to RSVP for any or all of the dates.
January 16th – Rochester, MN – Godfather’s Pizza – 2 pm – 4 pm
February 6th – Bloomington, MN – Willie McCoy’s – 2 pm -4 pm
February 12th – Ramsey, MN – Willie McCoy’s – 2 pm – 4pm
March 3rd – Oakdale, MN – Wild Boar – 2 pm – 4 pm
March 6th – Apple Valley – Old Chicago – 2 pm – 4 pm
CAM Partners With BAM Again For Day At The Capitol!
Join us for one of the most important events you can attend all year!
If you only attend ONE CAM event this year, this is it!! Have your voice heard and speak DIRECTLY to your Legislators with a guaranteed meeting, set up by CAM. Just sign up and show up. 10 AM Brunch & Briefing will be held at Christ Lutheran Church located at 105 University Ave W, St. Paul. Hot topics will be talked about that can effect your business before heading over to the Capitol to meet with your legislator. Mark your Calendars and lets have another great showing at the Capitol to have our concerns and agenda heard by the legislators.
March 11th, 2020
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Christ Lutheran Church
105 University Ave W.
St. Paul, MN 55103
Agenda
10:00 am – 11:00 am Brunch & Check-In – Christ Lutheran Church
11:15 am – 11:45 am Mini-Briefings – Christ Lutheran Church
11:45 am – 4:00 pm Meetings with Legislators – Capitol Complex
11:00 am – 5:00 pm Hospitality Room & Lounge
*Debriefing 4 pm Governor’s Dining Room
Basement of the Capitol
5:00 pm Optional – Rush Hour Libations
St. Paul University Club
CAM – 2019 Year In Review
Things are going well for CAM! We just had a very nice storm event that should have everyone finish strong for 2019 and start off 2020 in a good position.
CAM has had over 10 years of hard work by members, suppliers, manufacturers and former board members building the foundation for our organization to face the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead.
CAM has built a good working relationship with the Department of Labor and Industry that did not exist 10 years ago. We have a full time lobbyist protecting our interests and quashing any rogue ideas the insurance federation comes up with at the Capitol. There has not been one piece of harmful legislation that has gotten through in 10 years, but Lord knows they have tried. CAM was also able to push through our first piece of legislation regarding notifying homeowners that waiving deductibles is against MN law.
In the last several years, we have met with the Department of Commerce concerning insurance carrier misbehavior, the Minnesota Department of Health in regards to Lead RRP, and the top building code officials in Minnesota to try to enforce insurance to build to MN code. Several of us have testified at the Capitol when the insurance federation was trying to play fast and loose.
We are now an affiliate of the National Roofing Contractors Association-NRCA- and look forward to offering benefits, education and discounts to all of our members.
We have a good working relationship with the Builders Association of MN and have joined forces fighting harmful bills that would have negatively impacted our businesses and our homeowners. This spring we participated in Builder’s Day at the Capitol and about 30 of us from CAM were able to sit down and meet individually with each of our senators and representatives. That was a powerful day. I would like to see 100 of us there next year.
We have an education committee that has been traveling the state to teach contractors best practices for running a business in today’s environment. Tim Johnson from RSJ and Mike Goldenstein from GAF spent their spring in Mankato, Duluth, Rochester and multiple locations in the Twin Cities educating contractors about the law and manufacturing specs-how to use them to make sure a home is properly restored. We have also teamed up with the BBB to help homeowners when their home suffers a loss and all the different services the BBB provides to contractors.
We also have a group of dedicated board and committee members who take time from their busy life to volunteer for the good of our industry as a whole, not just their own company.
So, what does the future look like? As we continue to have storm events that are more severe and expensive, this will have far reaching impact on all of our businesses. We need to proactively create our future, not just blindly react to insurance companies, regulations and legislation after the fact-when it might be too late.
What do we want for the future of CAM?
We want 100 contractors at Builders Day next Spring- we want them to know CAM is a force to be reckoned with. We want CAM to be a resource for homeowners to find a good contractor- for our seal to mean they have found someone they can trust. We want to help contractors become better business people, to be leaders in the industry. We want everyone to stop using the phrase “Code Upgrades” and start using the correct term- Minimum Code Standards. It’s not an upgrade, it’s the law and we should be paid for it!
Most of all we want us as contractors to get beyond our own competitiveness and work together against the insurance companies – because right now they are kicking our ass out there every single day. Until we get over ourselves and look at that other contractor in the truck at the stop light with the ladder hanging out–not as an enemy, but as powerful ally- they are going to continue to kick our asses.
What can you do to help?
Get the word out! If you are a sponsor, you see many more contractors on a daily basis than our contractor members ever will. Let your customers know about how we protect their businesses and our upcoming education events. Every time you can help your contractors, you make them more successful. Every successful contractor you work with makes you more successful.
If you are a contractor and not a member, you should be. We are the only ones fighting for you out there.
No other association looks out specifically for the Exterior and Remodeling Contractor like we do………
We have a great opportunity to make real progress for our organization and our industry. Let us take that opportunity and run with it.
Tracy Dahlin
Chairperson – CAM Voting Board
The Contractors Association of Minnesota chalked upon another win at the legislature this past session! Given the divided government and the truly acrimonious session between the Legislative and the Executive Branch this year CAM was able to pass a small but significant piece of legislation. The legislation requires insurance companies as well as contractors to clearly explain in writing that an insurance deductible can not be paid as part of a contract with a homeowner. You may recall that some years ago, the Insurance Federation of Minnesota passed a law prohibiting this practice. With the spate of yearly storm occurrences, there has been an increase in this practice by insurance adjusters as well as contractors that encourage or offer to have the deductible paid by the contractor. This is illegal and can result in an enforcement action against the contractor by the Department of Labor and Industry.
The Contractors Association of Minnesota (CAM), formerly The Minnesota Association of Exterior Specialists (MNAES), was formed in 2009 by a group of concerned construction trade partners responding to proposed legislation by the insurance industry that was harmful to contractors working on storm related events. It was at that time the CAM realized it was important to have a voice at the Capitol and a lobbyist was hired to represent our interests. Since then, we have become the fastest growing association of exterior specialists in the country. CAM is a continually evolving group of professional Contractors, Distributors and Manufacturers who want to encourage positive change for the future of our industry.
The CAM’s mission is to help our members excel in the Minnesota specialized residential construction industry. Through legislation and regulation, we provide members with an industry voice at the State Capitol and its regulatory agencies. This last legislative session, the CAM was successful in killing legislation that would have impacted your work. This included attorney’s fees against a contractor in a home warranty claim, insurance limitation on building code coverage and the regulation of insurance claims. These bills are still in the mix for the next legislative session and the CAM should fully expect them to surface as part of a legislative agenda.
CAM also partners up with like-minded associations to protect your interests. This year we worked with the Builders Association of Minnesota on extending the residential construction code updates from three year to six years.
A strong membership in the industry is important to the CAM’s success. Being a member of CAM means you are taking the next step to better your business and your professional self! As a member, you will have the opportunity to share technical data and marketing information within the top residential and commercial exterior professionals in your area. You will also receive valuable information and be able to participate in yearly continuing education courses specifically designed for your business. These yearly continuing education courses are always conveniently held in the winter giving members maximum flexibility to earn continuing education credits. This year, the CAM will be holding its 11th Annual Spring Event at Canterbury Park on April 25th, 2019 and we will also be hosting our 5th Annual Golf Classic on August 6th, 2019 at the Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake, MN. Consider attending one of our events to learn more about the benefits the CAM can provide to you and your business, network with contractors, suppliers and distributors and get in a good round of golf.