Helping Employees Give Back

RCS Influencer Trent Cotney says the act of giving back provides the foundation for the roofing industry to flourish. 

To everything there’s a season, and this is the season of giving. This year is perhaps the most unique, giving us new reasons for intentionally and purposefully doing well by doing good. As we emerge from the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to give back to our industry to recruit the next generation of roofing professionals while helping the people and companies in the field realize their growth potential. 

If you’re like me, every year around this time you start thinking about donations you’re going to make to charitable organizations. I feel very blessed to be a part of the roofing industry. It’s put food on my table, my employees’ tables, and my family’s table for generations. In my family, I was taught that you give back your time, your talent, your treasure.  

Our industry is literally in the business of putting a roof over people’s heads, but every roof is built on a solid foundation. So too, our industry foundations are the rock upon which our business is built. 

Through my extensive work with North American industry associations, I’ve been very impressed by the magnificent work of their foundations. They provide scholarships, training, philanthropy, and an avenue to get new people into the industry, which is especially urgent now to address the skilled labor shortage. In addition, they conduct important research projects that improve our efficiency, effectiveness and safety.  

These foundations are exemplary of the benevolence that is a hallmark of the roofing community, an industry with a big heart. Its commitment to generosity inspires others to give back, including yours truly.  

To cite just one example, R-Club Members give back all year round. A portion of R-Club membership fees are dedicated to supporting charities. The Club gives members the opportunity to pick from the following charities or one they may suggest: 

• Rutherford Housing Partnership AKA Women Roofers; 

• Ronald McDonald House Charities; 

• Roofing Alliance; 

• Mike Rowe Works; 

• Helmets to Hardhats (a charity especially resonant as I write this on Veteran’s Day); 

• Habitat for Humanity. 

Fortunately, our industry really understands the meaning of giving back to those less fortunate. 
I am grateful to every roofing professional for all you do for your local communities and society overall.  

At Cotney, we contribute to these great foundations to provide the resources they need to accomplish their missions, realize their visions and advance their values. To leverage our contributions, Cotney Attorneys and Consultants is once again dedicating our December promotion to encouraging roofing professionals to give to Roofing Foundations.  

During the month of December 2021, Cotney Attorneys and Consultants will be matching donations made to select roofing foundations up to $2,500 in total.  

Donations to these deserving foundations may be tax deductible, a welcome side benefit of contributing to such noble causes.  

Your team can learn more about each of the charitable programs by visiting the RCS Giving Back page (proudly sponsored by Cotney).  

Also, be sure to register for the December 2 RCS Coffee Conversations Webinar: A Season of Giving. 

Trent Cotney is the founder of Cotney Attorneys & Consultants, a law firm that specializes in roofing and construction law. See his full bio here.