To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 11.1.0 or greater is installed.
Renée Auer and Wendy McNeil
Women of the Greater Vancouver
Home Builders’ Association
Canadian Design and Construction
Report staff writer
The Greater Vancouver Home
Builders’ Association (GVHBA) has
grown since 1974 to be the largest
local association in B.C. Renée Auer
and Wendy McNeil are members of
the dynamic team, delivering serv-
ices and providing support to more
than 700 association members.
As director of membership and
sales, Auer uses her marketing
background, business skills and re-
lationship building abilities to attract
members to the association and
then ensures they remain as satis-
fied members for the value and at-
tention they receive.
“I’ve been with the association
12 years, starting as member devel-
opment co-ordinator,” Auer said.
“Over the years I evolved the posi-
tion, added responsibilities that met
with my interests, such as on the IT
side.” When she applied for the posi-
tion, Auer says she had all the skills
it required, except industry experi-
ence. “I believe there isn’t anything
you can’t learn if you want to. Those
first six months I was producing but
also learning as much as I could and
I continue to learn today.”
McNeil started her career with
the association in 2001. She applied
her education in psychology and
marketing management but also
lacked specific industry experience.
“I started as co-ordinator of spe-
cial projects and membership and
evolved and changed my role with
time,” McNeil said. “I have always
found people both within the asso-
ciation and in the industry to be
helpful and respectful. People want
you to succeed in your role because
that helps them succeed. You also
need a passion for learning, espe-
cially if you are unfamiliar with the
industry.” Auer says the ability to network,
taking ownership of her role and re-
sponsibilities and the ability to work
as part of a small team – doing
whatever needs to be done and
working as part of a team – has
been important.
McNeil says adaptability, acces-
sibility and problem solving skills
are also important.
The GVHBA is always working to
provide added value to members,
which requires flexibility and cre-
ative thinking. Auer has noticed for
instance a lot of flux in membership
with older members passing along
family businesses to next genera-
tions. “The new business owners
often have a lot of new ideas but
may not have experience on the
business side.”
To meet the demands, the asso-
ciation develops short workshops
and seminars throughout the year to
teach basic business skills including
estimating and people management
skills, designed to meet the time
constraints and immediate educa-
tional needs of business owners.
Auer says she thoroughly loves
her job and the value she brings to
members. “There is only one other
home builders’ association in
Canada that has a dedicated mem-
bership person on staff. The value
this position brings to members –
having someone focused solely on
them – is both rewarding and impor-
tant.” ————————— Continued on page 47
Renée Auer
Wendy McNeil
The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer 2014 – 45