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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February 2016 Newsletter

It’s a leap year, so we all get an extra day this February to get caught up and work toward those goals we set at the beginning of the year! February is also host to the loved by some and hated by others holiday: Valentine’s Day. The origin of this day is said to be the day that the ancient Roman Empire honored Juno, the Queen of Roman Gods and Goddesses and the protector of Women. Be sure to celebrate your inner Juno, your female spirit, on the 14th.

Our chapter meeting* on February 18th, will feature presenters from Dress for Success Oregon. The WIC week committee will be collecting clothing donations at this meeting and the March meeting to donate to this great organization that works to empower women. See flyer in the newsletter for more information on accepted donations.

Also during the February meeting, we will be voting for (4) paid delegates to attend the Pacific NW Region Forum being held on April 22nd-24th in Tacoma, WA. Forum is an annual regional event that provides professional education and networking opportunities. If you haven’t yet attended a regional or national event, you won’t be disappointed with the programming and the time spent with other WIC’s. This is a great opportunity to learn more about NAWIC, so please contact me if you would like to be considered for one of the Forum delegate positions.

The Oregon coast retreat, hosted by the Eugene chapter in Yachats, Oregon will be the last weekend of the month:  February 26th-28th. This is a fun filled and educational weekend with plenty of time to relax and socialize with fellow NAWIC members from all Oregon chapters.

Last month, I had solicited feedback from members in order to ensure our chapter is providing its members with what they really want. To make it easier to provide feedback, there is a 5 question survey included in this newsletter.

I will work with the board to incorporate feedback provided into our operations. Your opinion really matters, so please fill it out and send it back to me.

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January 2016 Newsletter

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and had lots of time to relax and rejuvenate before starting a fresh new year.

With the start of a new year, many of you may have already crafted your new year’s resolutions and some of you may have disregarded resolutions as unrealistic and unattainable pipe dreams. Wherever you are on the spectrum of opinions about New Year’s resolutions, having goals is essential tool to guiding your future in the direction that you want it to go. And what better time to set some goals for your personal and professional life?

One of our chapter goals is to retain 80% of membership in 2016. In order to achieve this goal, our chapter needs to ensure all of our members are getting value from their membership. If you have any comments or suggestions on how our chapter can improve, please contact me or any board member. NAWIC’s purpose is the “enhance the success of women in the construction industry”, (and that includes you!) so help us ensure we are doing this by
providing some feedback.

Hope to see you at an event soon! Happy New Year!
Aryn Ferguson – President, Portland Chapter 54
Fortis Construction

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