August 2016 Newsletter

We have an amazing program scheduled for this month on August 9th, with a tour of the Street of Dreams, a networking opportunity with the ladies of the Professional Women in Building and a contributions being made to a charitable organization, Girls Build, all in one.

Please come out to Tumwater at Pete’s Mountain and enjoy this great event that PWB and our Professional Development Committee have organized.

AMEC (Annual Meeting and Education conference) is being held this month in San Antonio, Texas. Our chapter will be sending three delegates to the conference, who will report back to our chapter to share useful information they learn in the various workshops and presentations offered at the conference. The keynote topic “Make Great Things Happen” is a reminder that we all have the ability to help shape our future if we are relentless and savvy. So much of our experience is shaped in our attitudes and the depth of our engagement. We can help create positive outcomes of these experiences by committing ourselves fully and reinvigorating our interest and curiosity in the matter

I hope you are enjoying your summer and will plan to a􀆩end a NAWIC event soon!

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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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