NAWIC Board of Directors Candidates

Online voting for the board will begin in mid-May . Click here to see the candidates for the Board: www.nawic.org/nawic/Candidates1.asp

Have Questions for a Candidate Running for the NAWIC Board of Directors?

On May 15 you will receive an online ballot for the NAWIC Board. If you have questions for any candidate, you can post them on the NAWIC website bulletin board and they will respond. The Bulletin Board is located in the member site under “toolbox.” The Bulletin Board makes for an easy way to learn more about the candidates and ask them questions: www.nawic.org/discussionforums/DiscussionDefault.asp

Past National President Mary Ellen Ledbetter Passes Away

NAWIC was sad to learn that Past National President Mary Ellen Ledbetter died on Thursday April 5th. Mary Ellen served in leadership roles on the chapter level as well as on the National Board and was President of NAWIC 1997-1998. She was a long time member of the Ventura County California Chapter. She joined NAWIC in 1980 and was named Red Rose Recruiter in 1998. She is fondly remembered by many, many members. Her delightful personality was matched by her striking red hair – she was the life of every event and she will be missed.

Cards may be sent to her home at 1662 Eucalyptus Drive, #4, Solvang, CA 93463

 

New Membership Recruitment Red Rose Recruiter

Each year, many of you recruit new members into NAWIC. An award is given to a member who recruits more than 18 members over a three year timeframe. While the deadline is not until June 30th to recruit more members, we already have one winner for this year: Lauline Mitchell from San Francisco, Pacific Northwest Region. Congratulations Lauline! 

Nominate a Colleague for one of NAWIC's Top Three Awards

We have three awards that are given out at the Annual Conference Gala: Future Leader, Lifetime Achievement and Member of the Year. Take a minute and nominate an outstanding member. Past nominees are eligible to be re-nominated. June 1st is the deadline. For details and forms: www.nawic.org/nawic/Awards.asp

WEBINAR
Safety & Health / US Transportation Committees - Work Zone Safety
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 @ 12:00 pm ET

Online meeting info: join.freeconferencecall.com/safetynawic
Dial in number: 641-715-0700
Access code: 343411

WEBINAR
OSHA Alliance Committee Webinar:
Thursday, April 19, 2018 @ 12:00 pm ET

The Opioid Crisis: Considerations for Employers - Presented by Taylor Harrison of the National Safety Council
Drug overdose is now the leading cause of preventable deaths over motor vehicle crashes, and prescription drugs are the main contributor to these fatalities. Discover how and why drug abuse is damaging your business and impacting your bottom line, and learn ways you can protect your workplace from the national opioid crisis.
Online meeting info: join.freeconferencecall.com/oshanawic
Dial in: 515-739-1020, access code 85874

NAWIC Annual Conference
August 15 - 18, 2018

Registration is now open for annual conference: Mark your calendar for August 15-18 in Orlando for NAWIC’s annual conference. This year, we have changed up the program, adding panels, a closing brunch, two keynoters, NEF certificate boot camp and exam, and created the Neighborhood with pop up education, snacks and vendor tables. Early bird pricing is in effect now until April 30th, so register now!

Training for all Chapter Presidents

If you are an incoming chapter President, we have created the first ever “Leadership Training” program for you. It will be held in conjunction with the annual conference in Orlando, so no extra travel time and expense will be incurred. During this half day, complimentary session, you will learn the legal and financial responsibilities of the President, deadlines, required forms, and more. There have been several changes made this past year, so learn from the source what is not needed anymore (streamlining!), organizational and success tips. You can register using the annual conference registration form.

NEF 2018 Block Kids National Winners

1st place winner from NAWICs South Central Region, sponsored by Oklahoma City’s Chapter 383
Isaac Dei, 5th grader from Oklahoma City. He constructed a pulley that “smashes” rock and uses a conveyor to collect crushed rock. Dei notes that it could be used by miners and construction workers and hopes to be a mechanical engineer when he grows up.

2nd place winner from NAWICs North Central Region, sponsored by Cincinnati’s Chapter 6
Ronan Joyce, is a 4th grader from Burlington, KY. His project was a working drawbridge to “get across the river.” Joyce wants to be a professional soccer player when he grows up and then move into design when he’s done playing soccer.

3rd place winner from NAWICs Northeast Region, sponsored by Capital Districts Chapter 0261
Jalen Bernard, 1st grader from Watervliet, NY. Bernard constructed a watchtower and noted “I thought it was important to warn pilots of the low bridge ahead.” He doesn’t know yet what he wants to do when he grows up but likes the idea to work construction at night “with the cool lights.”

The award-winning program is open to grades K-6 and introduces children to the construction industry in an effort to create awareness and promote careers in the industry.

Regional Forums Start This Weekend

Are you attending a Regional Forum? There are 8 conferences - pick one close to home, or visit one you have not been to before. See our Calendar for event details. 

Construction employment increased by 228,000 jobs over the past year despite a weather-related dip last month, and the industry's unemployment rate fell to 7.4 percent, the lowest yet for March, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials called for revitalizing and adequately funding career and technical education and training programs to ensure that employment in the high-paying industry would continue to grow. SOURCE: AGC.ORG

The National Work Zone Awareness Week takes place across the U.S. each spring, at the start of the construction industry, to promote safe driving in highway zones. Promoted in conjunction with state departments of transportation, national road safety organizations, government agencies and others, the 2018 Work Zone Awareness Week, themed "Work Zone Safety: Everybody's Responsibility," is hosted by the state of Illinois. A kick-off event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10 in Chicago. Companies wishing to participate can find tools at the National Work Zone Awareness Week site.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month is a united effort to help prevent deaths from distracted driving. To create awareness in your community or at your office, share the message that drivers should put down their mobile devices and focus only on the road ahead of them. SOURCE: NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL