Skip to main content

Why Attend Conference?

There’s so many reasons… but here’s some that we thought we’d include:

  • Get The Latest Industry Trends and Information
  • Network with Rebuilding Together Affiliates
  • Share “Best Practices” with Rebuilding Together Affiliates
  • Learn from “Experts” in a Variety of Fields Specifically Related to Rebuilding Together
  • Learn from Rebuilding Together Affiliate “Experts” during the Affiliate-Lead Sessions
  • Meet and Greet Industry Vendors Providing Tools and Products to Improve Your Business
  • Meet the Rebuilding Together National Staff, National Affiliate Council, and National Board
  • Hear from Rebuilding Together’s President and CEO, Gary Officer, on his Goals and Vision for the Future
  • Gain Information and Tools to Take Back to your Board of Directors to Get them More Involved

How do some Rebuilding Together Affiliates Budget for Conference and How do they talk to their Board about the value of attending?

  • “We set aside money from the beginning of each year to go to conference.  It is definitely worth it, conference gave me an ‘inside track’ to learn about upcoming funding opportunities through the National Office; I was able to learn how to position my affiliate better for these opportunities. Getting grants offset the cost of conference and the benefit of training and networking while at conference has helped us to be a better affiliate overall.”
  • “Staying connected with national initiatives (and contributing to the shaping of those initiatives) is a big reason why we attend conference every year.  It is great to stay connected to the network via the listserve or through the phone line, but nothing beats the face to face connection at the National Conference.”
  • “We specifically write a grant every year for Staff Professional Development and Training, and include in that grant the Rebuilding Together National Conference costs to cover 4 Staff (Executive Director, Director of Development, Program Manager, and Construction Supervisor), 2 AmeriCorps Members, and 2 Board Members (usually the President and Vice President).  We’ve found that if we can secure the funding specifically for this purpose, we don’t get push back from the Board of Directors for the expense.  Also, by including 2 individuals from our Board in the National Conference, they come back understanding the value and can advocate for the need to participate in the future.”
  • “National Conference has been a ‘standard’ line item in our budget for many years.  Templates and other implementation strategies are the most valuable ‘take-aways’ that justify the expense of attending.  Our Board also believes being involved at the national level is valuable for facilitating participation in pass-through grants, and enhances our credibility as an affiliate.”
  • “We are such a small affiliate, but I think it is very important for at least one member of our Board to attend.  Just to see all those affiliates in one room really makes a huge impact. On years that it is closer to our area, we send two people from the Board which is ideal because then the meetings can be split up so you can hear reports from more groups.”
  • We just always make it a line item in the budget… with technology we have the opportunity to gain knowledge remotely through the ODI trainings, etc; however, it is not the same as when you attend the National Conference.  The energy at the National Conference is inspiring and the chance to network with other affiliates to gain knowledge is priceless!

Quotes from past National Conferences

  • I loved the opportunity to network and meet other ED’s and staff.  One of the greatest, underutilized assets in our organization is each other and having that networking time is very important.
  • Conference recharges me.  It is good to get everyone together to hear stories and absorb the passion.
  • Great to be in the same room with all of the other affiliates and the National team.
  • I like most of all the people (my RT family).
  • Coming to the conference reminds me of how proud I am to be part of the Rebuilding Together Network and what an amazing group of people I have the privilege to work alongside.
  • Conference is inspiring, motivating, educational, and a great opportunity to learn from other affiliates.
  • I saw that I am part of such a dynamic, growing, giving community; I enjoyed hearing about all the great work being done and meeting people with the same interests.