News Briefs
Pest Control Operators of California
April 2012
Every year PCOC puts on a Leadership Academy. The event is designed to train future leaders in our industry and is an invaluable opportunity to develop skills that transcend involvement in PCOC. In fact, I believe, it was one of the most important things that we do as an association. This year it will be held May 31–June 1 at the Silverado Resort in Napa. Each district sends its Chairman and Vice Chairman for the upcoming year. Other individuals are most welcome to attend. Attendees come away with abilities and ideas that they can use for the rest of their life. Here are some of the topics that we cover:
- History of PCOC and its structure, bylaws and decision-making process.
- District Bylaws.
- Preparing and conducting a district meeting.
- Finding Good Speakers.
- Officers Duties and Responsibilities.
- Roberts Rules of Order.
- Public Speaking.
- Benefits of Membership in PCOC and NPMA
- The Legislative Process.
- District Growth.
- Finding Good speakers.
- Your Transition Meeting.
We should all be proud of this significant event, put together by YOUR association. I know I am honored to be a small part of it. The other faculty members this year are Lee Whitmore, our Leadership Academy Chair, Curtis Good, Joe Gatto and Scott Howell.
STRATEGY
Korn Ferry and Columbia University surveyed thousands of CEO's worldwide and asked what are the ten most important functions of your positions.
#1 was Strategy
#2 was HRD (People Skills)
#3 was Sales and Marketing
Ironically, most of my work with companies involves strategy. Many companies don't spend any time creating a strategy for their employees and company. "What is your plan? Where do you want to be in five years?" are easy to answer. Getting there, step by step, with time allocations, is another story.
Interestingly enough, before I can even get to work on a strategy within many companies, we have to first begin in damage control and then stabilization. If you are not organized and you are reactive to day to day situations and little emergencies that come up daily – you can't worry too much about the future or strategy.
The old saying "you can't think about draining the swamp when you are up to your butt in alligators" rings true here. So first we have to work on getting rid of the alligators.
In many cases, in this industry, some of those alligators are relatives, but that's another story.
The point is that companies with strategies and vision keep moving forward. They are innovative and take control of their fate – they are rarely reactive to things after the fact.
They constantly adjust and readjust to keep on course. They do not keep that staff member that everyone knows in a troublemaker and just screws up everything.
They do not put up with the nay-sayers and instigators. Weeding out the bad eggs helps you stay on course and not having to stop to put out fires that could have been avoided and/or that are started by the same people all of the time.
We are in the PEOPLE business. Our people will help us progress or regress. It is what I will be discussing at our June meeting in San Diego. See you then.
PCOC EXPO 2012 – INCREASED VALUE! MORE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
You won't want to miss our all new and improved PCOC Expo 2012, June 21–23 at the Catamaran Resort in beautiful San Diego. A full day of CE opportunities and a chance to network in the Exhibit Hall. Our Keynote Speaker is Lloyd Smigel. Also on the program is Bill Douglas, Interim Director of the Structural Pest Control Board. 9 breakout sessions!
For more complete details, and to register for the Expo, click here.
To make your hotel reservations: click here
ACT NOW. SPACE IS LMITED! ROOMS AT THE RESORT ARE GOING FAST.
I have been in the pest industry for over 15 years, working for Clark Pest Control in Rancho Cordova and Sacramento. I have branch 2 and 3 field representative licenses and have performed termite treatments, construction, and WDO inspections. I ran a pest control route as a combination technician doing both branch 2 and 3 work simultaneously. I've also worked in the remodel industry, including working for the DIY Network's television show Turf Wars. As I transition into this new position with PCOC, my major goal, apart from learning the job, is to assess the current membership program and see where improvements can be made.
Even before I accepted the position, I was looking at the benefits for members. One of my many goals is to try to increase the benefits members get, including programs that save money. I believe creating and increasing the value of membership is a necessity in order to attract new members and bolster retention of existing members.
I look forward to meeting PCOC members throughout California.
Being recognized as an expert in the field of bed bug management is critical for you and your company's ongoing success. And now you can be certified in the Pest Management industry. PCOC is proud to support Domus Institute, developed by Gail Getty, an independent scientific organization. Domus Institute's Professional Certification Program is a program designed to educate and train individuals in bed bug identification and eradication using industry standards and best practices. For more information on this certification program, click here.
Domus Institute is holding a one-day training program for certification in Southern California on June 5th. Domus Institute is partnering with experts in research entomology, pathology, statistical algorithms and consumer insights and behaviors. Speakers include Gail Getty and Sylvia Kenmuir. Cost of the program is $445 for PCOC members and $545 for non-PCOC members. Space is limited. For more information and a brochure please contact Gail at: gmg@DomusInstitute.com.
2012 PCOC FUMIGATION BANNER BONANZA
Contest runs from March 1–May 31, 2012.
Click here for the banner contest rules.
BED BUG FORUM EARLY BIRD SPECIAL DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Now is the time to register for our important Bed Bug Forum sponsored by PCOC and NPMA. This critical event in the Pest Control calendar for this year features the top leaders in the field. The early bird special registration pricing has been extended until Friday April 27. The Forum will be held May 2–4 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Anaheim. MAKE SURE TO SIGN UP TODAY! Click here to Register.
May 2-4
June 21-23
Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/cpc-nwl/pdf/Endorsed_Programs.pdf to view the full article online.
Getting Backs on Track
Occupational back injuries are seldom, if ever, fatal, but they account for nearly 20 percent of all workplace injuries and illnesses and cost the nation an estimated $20 billion to $50 billion per year.
Preventing Back Injuries
Step 1: Know which jobs pose more risk. You should have job descriptions for every position in your organization — if lifting or moving heavy materials is required, determine how much weight a person must be able to lift easily to perform the job safely.
Step 2: Ensure applicants are fit for the job. Any worker can suffer a back injury, but material handlers and others whose jobs require lifting have a higher than average chance of job-related back injury.
Step 3: A prior injury adds to the risk. Can employers legally screen out workers who have had a previous injury?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and amendments prohibit employers from asking disability-related questions and conducting medical examinations until after it makes a conditional job offer to the applicant. You also cannot discriminate against an employee on the basis of workers' compensation claims filed.
Although employers may not ask disability-related questions or require medical examinations at the pre-offer stage, they can take these steps to evaluate whether an applicant is qualified for the job:
a. Asking whether an applicant can perform specific job functions, for example, lifting a certain amount of weight.
b. Asking about an applicant's non-medical qualifications and skills, such as education, work history and required certifications and licenses.
c. Asking applicants to describe or demonstrate how they would perform job tasks.
Once you make a conditional job offer, you may ask disability-related questions and require medical examinations as long as the company requires exams for all employees entering that job category. If you reject the applicant after a disability-related question or medical examination, have justifiable reasons and document your decision. If the applicant files a discrimination complaint, EEOC investigators will closely scrutinize whether the rejection was based on the results of that question or examination.
Step 4: Look at trends. Examine past claims for patterns — are there particular tasks that lead to back injuries? Do claims involve similar conditions — such as slippery or unstable footing, unusually large loads? And finally, look at the claimants themselves — do they share any characteristics?
| NAME COMPANY DISTRICT |
MEMBER TYPE |
REFERRED BY |
| Mr. Tom Rodgers | R | |
| Cut-Rite Tree & Spray, Inc. | ||
| BIGVALLEY | ||
| Mr. Richard Merjil | R | |
| Eco Concepts Termite & Pest Control | ||
| LA/SOBAY | ||
| Mr. Chon Joon Shin | R | |
| Hydrex Pest Control of Glendale Burbank | ||
| SANFERNDO | ||
| Mr. Gabino Jara | G | Best Care Fumigation |
| Killroy Pest Control | ||
| SANCLARA | ||
| Mr. Kenneth V. Metoyer, Jr. | R | |
| K & M Pest Solutions | ||
| SANDIEGO | ||
| Mr. Paul M. Gruber | R | |
| PMG Pest Control, Inc | ||
| SANDIEGO | ||
| Mr. Joseph C. Ayers | R | |
| San Diego Termite, Inc. | ||
| SANDIEGO | ||
| Mr. Randy Hames | A | |
| ServicePro.Net, Inc | ||
| OUT OF STATE | ||
| Mr. Steven Zolotas | R | |
| West Oaks Pest Control | ||
| VENTURA | ||
| Mr. Robert Lopez | R | |
| Wholesale Fumigations, Inc. | ||
| SANGABRIEL |
TEMPORARY NPMA LOGIN FOR JOINT MEMBERSHIP
LOGIN: 313501
PASSWORD: PCOC
PCOC website password for 2011–2012 effective July 1, 2011:"npma"
Department of Fish & Game
www.dfg.ca.gov
Department of Food & Agriculture
www.cdfa.ca.gov
Department of Pesticide Regulation
www.cdpr.ca.gov
Find Your Legislator
www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
Healthy Schools Act
www.schoolipm.info
Structural Pest Control Board
www.pestboard.ca.gov
