Chair's Message

Consensus Is Not Pretty...
By Joe Hayden

Those of you who have been regular attendees of NFRC membership meetings know that I have been making it a practice of giving a "homework assignment" at each opening session. This involves asking an open-ended question and requesting that everyone fill in the blank.

Members provide their answers during the course of the week and then those answers are reviewed and discussed at the closing board meeting. Except for some tongue-in-cheek answers here and there (which we all enjoy), the responses have provided much "food for thought" and healthy discussion.

At the last meeting in Tucson I posed the question, "I can best help NFRC be successful by ..." Attendees offered several intriguing responses and the complete list is included at the end of this column. However, as I reviewed and thought over these responses, one fairly common theme came to mind – stay true to the consensus process.

As I’ve stated in the past, one of the true keys to our long-term success is that we genuinely embrace operating in a consensus manner. But what exactly does that mean? I expect true scholars and philosophers could debate that question forever, but some of the responses offered in Tucson seem to reflect certain aspects of a consensus process:

• Actively participating in debates and discussions.
• Being open-minded and respectful of others’ opinions.
• Communicating.
• Staying committed to what’s best for the greater good.

Now, in no way do I mean to diminish these "pretty" aspects of consensus, but as with almost everything in life we must take the bad with the good. To borrow the words of one of my favorite entertainers, Steve Martin, consensus is not pretty!

It’s been said that consensus is truly achieved when everybody gets what they need, but nobody gets what they want. If that’s true (and I believe it is to a certain degree), then operating in a consensus manner also means being willing to compromise, enduring some pain and frustration, and being patient as the final outcome materializes. At times, that’s not very "pretty."

All in all, I hope you’ll agree with me that continuing to faithfully follow and honor the consensus process is one of the best things we can do. From the smallest task group through to your Board of Directors, a commitment to this process is integral to collecting the expertise NFRC’s diverse membership offers. Even though it’s not always "pretty," it really is key to NFRC achieving genuine success and staying true to our obligation of serving the public’s best interests.

I invite any of our members who may not have had an opportunity to share their vision on the meeting homework assignment, "I can best help NFRC be successful by…" Please feel free to send your comments to me or NFRC staff.

Until next time, and as always …

Thanks for all you do!!!

I can best help NFRC be successful by...

• being open minded.
• being responsive when I have something helpful to offer.
• being a manufacturing voice of current technologies.
• commitment.
• communicating, communicating, communicating!
• compromising.
• continuing to expand the number of product types included.
• focusing on the mission of NFRC and promotion of it.
• integrating the most dynamic area of developments into Board over next 2-3 years.
• participating! (three responses)
• presenting ideas for better member programs.
• working in good faith.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Back to Home Page >>>

Chair's Message >>>

InnerView >>>

NFRC Pursues ANSI Accreditation >>>

ENERGY STAR^® Finalizes Residential Fenestration Criteria >>>

NFRC Makes Progress on Several Fronts During Spring Meeting >>>

Summer Membership Meeting to be held in Baltimore in July >>>

Board Asked to Consider Expanding NFRC’s Scope >>>

NFRC Introduces Meeting Sponsorship Program >>>

John Lewis Joins NFRC Staff >>>

SPOTLIGHT: Thermophysical Properties of Materials Subcommittee >>>

Member Spotlight >>>

Industry Happenings >>>

NFRC Insider | Vol. 3, Issue 3 - April 2009