June/July 2016 Newsletter

Summer is here! With the passing of the summer solstice, the days will now get incrementally shorter every day, and our lives seem to get busier and busier between the peak construction season, kids on summer break, and endless yard work. Don’t forget to take some time to take care of yourself, enjoy the relatively short summer we have in the NW and appreciate what matters most to you.

As the 4th of July approaches, and we celebrate the freedom of our country, let’s remember this monumental achievement and a few moments in history that women pioneers have fought for to increase the rights of our female citizens. Here are a few noteworthy events to reflect on and appreciate what these milestones might mean for your own independence.

  • Women’s suffrage in US (legal right to vote) – 1920
  • FDA approves birth control pills – 1960
  • Congress passes the Equal Pay Act & “The Feminine Mystique” is published – 1963
  • Title VII bans gender discrimination in employment – 1964
  • Title IX bans gender discrimination in schools – 1972
  • Roe vs Wade establishes a woman’s right to safe and legal abortion – 1973
  • President Obama signs the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration act – 2009
  • US armed forces allows open all positions to women - 2016

I hope you all are enjoying the summer and have a fun and safe Independence Day!
Aryn Ferguson – President, Portland Chapter 54
Fortis Construction

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NAWIC PDX Community Hotline Interview - MetroEast Community Media

Community Hotline Show

“Thanks again for all your work helping to get NAWIC on our Community Hotline show last week. Kelly and Aryn were really terrific guests.”
— Monica Weitzel - MetroEast Community Media

The entire show is also available for viewing on our on-demand, cable-cast site at metroeast.peg.tv. Below is the YouTube link which can be used in emails, e-newsletters and to post on social media sites.    https://youtu.be/LwLwqmog6Mk

May 2016 Newsletter

May 2nd through May 6th is OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down Week to promote fall protection safety. Be sure to take some time to focus on safety at your jobsites, your workplaces and even at home during this week. Make safety a priority!

The PNW Region Forum was held in Tacoma last weekend and I had a great time learning, meeting

NAWIC members throughout the region and spending some time with the 11 other chapter members that were in attendance. There was a lot of great programming provided by the hosting chapter, which will be reported from our four delegates that attended as chapter representatives.

Riki Lovejoy, the current NAWIC National President, was discussing leadership and how a lot of leadership development occurs by happenstance. She said “when you say yes, you learn”. I was reminded that NAWIC is a great platform to develop new skills by stepping out of your comfort zone to try something new. It is also the safest, most encouraging and supportive environment to do so.

Knowing “when you say yes, you learn”, why not run for a chapter office this year? The nominating committee is currently accepting nominations for all board officer and director positions. This is a perfect opportunity to learn new skills and lead our chapter! I know I have learned a lot about our chapter, NAWIC as an organization and myself by serving on the board the last few years.

Or, if you have not had the opportunity to attend a regional or national event, nominate yourself to become a chapter delegate for the Annual Meeting and Conference (AMEC) in San Antonio, Texas this year. The regional and annual events are a great way to learn more about NAWIC and network outside of our chapter.

Even just by saying yes to attend one of our upcoming chapter meetings, you will learn something!

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” John F. Kenned

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April 2016 Newsletter

I heard this quote on the radio the other day and thought it was a great statement about communication:

“I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”
— Alan Greenspan

Communication is probably the most important, but most difficult aspect of effectiveness in both professional and personal relationships. I know I have a really hard time clearly expressing my thoughts and ideas, which is only half of the communication equation. Listening, sometimes even more difficult, is the other half that often skews and contorts the message with prejudice, misunderstanding and emotions. I believe that communication is a skill that needs to be continuously practiced and can always be improved upon. Here is a great tip to remember:

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.”
— Tony Robbins

I encourage you to focus on your communications skills this month and see what positive effects it will have on your life, as it is the key to personal and professional success.

This month, we are changing our regularly scheduled meeting to a joint meeting with ASPE (American Society of Professional Estimators). This is going to be a really fun and educational mock bid on Tuesday, April 19th, at the University Inn. You will get the opportunity to experience the intensity and excitement that occurs with the estimating team on bid day. Please join us!

Aryn Ferguson – President, Portland Chapter 54

Fortis Construction

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March 2016 Newsletter

March into spring this month and also into Women In Construc􀆟on (WIC) week from March 6th through the 12th.

Did you know that women make up just 2.6 percent of all employees in construction jobs? WIC week is designed to increase the visibility of women working in the construc􀆟on industry, share our passion and encourage others to join the construction industry and NAWIC.

Here are a couple of ways you can help promote WIC week:

  • Obtain a WIC Week poster from Marilyn Morrison and post at your job site or office.
  • Post the Governor’s Proclamation of WIC week (included in this newsletter).
  • Talk to your network of professionals about NAWIC.
  • Organize an activity or tour at your workplace to celebrate and promote women in the industry.
  • Keep doing what you are doing and leading by example as a woman in the construction industry!

The March meeting on the 17th is an exciting program with two members of CREW (Women in Commercial Real Estate) presenting on Tenant Improvements: Design through Construction. This will be a very informative, educational meeting and one you won’t want to miss.

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