Greetings to all of you!

It’s been a couple weeks since the inaugural West Coast Rodent Academy, and upon reflection all I can say is "Wow!" The three-day workshop in Orange County was co-hosted by PCOC, University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Target Specialty Products and Univar. The workshop is designed to help pest management professionals have a better understanding of the comprehensive task of managing rodents in urban environments. What was exciting about this venue after the informative lecture periods, was that it allowed for real hands-on training at the demonstration landscapes incorporated at the UCCE location. Another important aspect was that it encouraged discussion and communication with fellow workshop members which only added to the training. Many thanks once again to all the sponsors, lecturers and participants for a job well done! A special shout out goes to Sylvia Kenmuir of Target Specialty Products and Dr. Niamh Quinn of UCCE for organizing the event. Look for upcoming workshops in the near future.

 

Executive Vice President

 

Update on Legislative Issues
From the desk of Chris Reardon, EVP of PCOC

It’s been an interesting election year to say the least. While the focus has been on the Presidential race for most of the year, there has been down ballot races that we’ve been watching as well.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris won the seat to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer. There will a lot of speculation in the coming days and weeks on who Gov. Jerry Brown will appoint to replace her. We will also keep an eye on what committees she will serve on that might impact PCOC in the future.

At the state legislative level, the only question was, are the Democrats going to once again going to have two-thirds majority in both houses? As of today, it looks like that State Senate will not have a two-thirds majority, whereas, the State Assembly appears to have the numbers. This time of year is the quiet before the storm in the legislature because both houses are organizing themselves before the legislative session begins in early January.

We will carefully watch who will chair key committees. as well as potential legislation for the coming year.

 

 

Click Here:Tell Congress to Pass Zika Funding Now! Dear NPMA Members, We are at the final hour, and Zika funds have run dry. The health of the public — in jeopardy. Since Congress left for their summer vacation, Zika cases have doubled. We can't wait any longer. Now is the time to hold their feet to the fire. It's time to end the political games. It's time to deploy the world's largest and most sophisticated built-in pest defense network. Tell Congress to come together and pass a bi-partisan Zika funding bill!Raise your voice with the 20,000 companies and 150,000 technicians that comprise the structural pest management industry. Together, let's tell Congress that we look forward to protecting public health, working closely with federal and state regulators, and assisting with the abatement of mosquitoes. With a few quick clicks and sending the pre-written message to your elected officials, we can make the difference. Click Here: Tell Congress to come together and pass Zika funding!

 

 

If you have some news you would like to share, such as new hires, retirements, etc., please send a short sentence or two to sarah@pcoc.org. 

 

Karen's "Blug"

Best joke heard at a District meeting....

Did you hear about the two bed bugs who met in the mattress?

They got married in the spring!

See what you are missing by not attending the meetings.... 

The last two months have been a flurry of termite swarmers! I missed last months’ blog due to traveling to Southern California where I had the chance to attend district meetings in San Diego and Orange County. In between meetings, I was able to stop by and visit potential members. I then ventured to NPMA’s PestWorld in Seattle. Little did I know that there were so many ways to get rid of pesky little and BIG bugs. I was able to attend the Professional Women in Pest Management Council and it is an amazing group of women. I look forward to starting a council in California! Our first meeting will be in at the Board of Directors meeting in Palm Springs. See you there!

After my adventure in Seattle (yummy and amazing food), I traveled not only to Redding to attend the Shasta District — where I was able to reach out again to non-members — but also to the Vintage District, where I lost the chance to pull the blue ball out of the bag. I was able to attend a couple of vendor events. Target had training and Geoteh celebrated the grand opening of their new location.

By the end of 2016 I am proud to say that I will have traveled to all, but three districts (look out January, here I come). Just a few reminders to current members: Any assistance with non- members is always appreciated. If you have any ideas for more benefits, please contact me. Registration for our 2017 Expo has been sent, and I look forward to visiting my old stomping ground at Disneyland. Who knows I might throw out a princess waive.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels!

Karen Grenz
Director of Membership
karen@pcoc.org

 

Disaster! Is Your Business Ready?
10 Questions to Get You Ready
Paul Lindsay, EPIC Insurance

We hate to think about it, but in this day and age planning around the potential consequences of a disaster will pay dividends. This quiz will help you determine if your business is ready to overcome a disaster. If you cannot answer "yes" to every question, you have work to do!

1. Could a natural or human-caused disaster cause an interruption in your normal business operations?

2. Do you know which parts of your business must resume operations as soon as possible after a disaster? If so, have you made plans that will get these vital operations up and running quickly?

3. Do you have a plan and the supplies needed to protect your employees and property during a disaster and to take care of you until assistance arrives?

4. Do you have a communication plan to notify clients and employees if a disaster occurs whether during or outside work hours? If so, what are your instructions? What are your expectations?

5. Have you evaluated your building’s ability to withstand a natural disaster? If yes, have you taken measures to mitigate risks?

6. Do you have vital files and IT systems backed up and accessible from a secure off-site location?

7. Could you quickly continue business operations even if you cannot use or access your place of business? How?

8. Could you continue operations if a location your business depends on (such as a supplier, key customer or access road) is inaccessible, or if your basic services (water, electricity, etc.) are off?

9. Have you worked with public safety agencies, local businesses and community leaders to plan for recovery if a large-scale disaster affects your community?

10. Have you consulted with an insurance broker to determine if you have the financial protection through your insurance enable business continue operations and fully recover after a disaster?

If you answered "No" to any of these questions, get a disaster plan going. You will be amazed at the peace of mind you gain from having a solid plan in place. For additional help, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program professionals of EPIC at (877) 860-7378 or, email us @ ProPest@epicbrokers.com. Also check out: www.pcocinsurance.com.

 

Our Director of Membership, Karen Grenz, will be attending the San Gabriel, Los Angeles and Ventura District Meetings!! Karen looks forward to meeting you!!

November 15

San Gabriel – 6:30 p.m.
El Sombrero, 3550 Santa Anita Ave., El Monte

Any questions, please contact Dan Rutherford @ (626) 926-7253.

November 16

Ventura – 7 p.m.
Marriott Hotel, 600 East Esplanade Drive, Oxnard

Any questions, please contact Dave Watkins @ (805) 482-2782. 

Big Valley – 7 p.m.
Legends of Woodcreek Clubhouse, 5880 Woodcreek Oaks Blvd., Roseville

Any questions, please contact Sean Bradley @ (916) 782-3767.

November 17

Santa Barbara – 6:30 p.m.
Olive Garden, 1210 S. Bradley Road, Santa Maria

Any questions, please contact Dave Watkins @ (805) 482-2782.

Los Angeles/SB Harbor  – 5:30 p.m.
Alpine Village, 833 Torrance Blvd., Torrence

Any questions, please contact Andi Moreno @ (310) 542-8622.

November 22

Diablo Valley – 6:30 p.m.
Zio Fraedo’s, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill

Any questions, please contact Gordie Zilke @(925) 787-2118.

 

From the Desk of our Building Committee Chair and Third Vice President, Tom Graston

As promised, I am updating you on the progress of our building renovations in West Sacramento. Years of neglect has left us with the task of renovating and repairing almost every aspect of our building from roof repair, to landscaping, to painting and replacing carpet. Just when we thought our list couldn't get any longer, the plumbing backed up in the kitchen, which is now forcing us to tear out and rebuild the kitchen as well!  

Over the years I have always been impressed with how we, as individual companies, can compete for business during the day but still come together as a powerful organization to support our industry — and this project has been no different.  As each of the bids started flowing in from various contractors, I quickly realized that as a non-profit organization, we did not have the funds to make this project possible. After reaching out to several companies, I was able to get labor donations to reduce our costs dramatically! For example, the interior painting and carpeting was reduced, from an original bid of $35,000, to costing us approximately $12,000. Thank you to Clark Pest Control in Stockton for donating the majority of the carpet!  Also thank you to The Pest Control Center, Neighborly Pest Management, Big Time Pest Control and Clark Pest Control in Vacaville for contributing the labor to get our office to where we are now!

With that said, we are not yet done. Left on my list for the renovations are the kitchen and bathrooms! We also have counter tops throughout the building to replace, as well as painting the cabinets. Also, we still have to replace all the plants in the front of the building that we had to remove when we tore out the planters.

Not all of our projects listed can be accomplished with labor alone. We are still seeking funds to not only complete the repairs and update our office, but to also ensure that we have a building fund to maintain the building and protect us from such extreme renovations in the future.

We are not only renovating this building to protect our investment, but to also allow our new Executive Vice President, Chris Reardon, the opportunity to hold meetings with various government agencies, senators and assemblyman to help us reach our objectives as an association. Less than six months ago our building was an embarrassment, but now we are breathing new life into it so that we may be proud to hold meetings at our office.

Thank you to the districts who have made donations to the building fund and I ask that each district discuss this project in your local meeting, to ensure that we can financially move forward! Our goal is to be able to have our building completed and hold an open house at our PCOC building in April during our Legislative Days. 

Please feel free to contact me directly at:

Tom Graston
tgraston@clarkpest.com
530-401-7381

 

Name/Company/District		Member Type		Join Date
Mr. Chris Egge Heat Solutions  LA/South Bay		R		10/21/2016
Mr. James Crosland, III JTC Termite Control LA/South Bay		R		10/24/2016
Mr. Michael Lauren E Card Transactions		A		11/1/2016
Mr. Larry Button Button Pest Control, Inc. Big Valley		R		11/2/2016
Ms. Tatiana Prestininzi Douglas Products		Z		11/2/2016

 

*NEW* NPMA LOGIN FOR JOINT MEMBERSHIP

LOGIN: Email or Personal ID 

PASSWORD: npma

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Department of Fish & Game
www.dfg.ca.gov

Department of Food & Agriculture
www.cdfa.ca.gov

Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
www.cdpr.ca.gov

DPR on Facebook
www.facebook.com/capesticideregulation

DPR on YouTube (see "playlists" for videos pertaining to new surface water regulations)
www.youtube.com/user/californiapesticides

DPR on Twitter
twitter.com/ca_pesticides

DPR LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/company/california-department-of-pesticide-regulation

Healthy Schools Act
http://apps.cdpr.ca.gov/schoolipm/

Structural Pest Control Board
www.pestboard.ca.gov

Find Your Legislator
www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html