NUCA NOW
Summer 2020 Quarterly Newsletter
In This Issue:
- Message From the President: Shane Webley
Organization Updates:
Safety Spotlight
Shane Webley, Johansen Construction Company
When reflecting on the first half of 2020 I (like many of you I am sure), am thankful for the ability that our industry has had to safely continue delivering critical infrastructure work during the COVID-19 Pandemic which has impacted our communities so drastically. I have been strengthened by our NUCA Association as many of our members have gathered together to collaborate with one another in an unprecedented manner to help ensure the safety of our work force, and the continued financial well-being of each of our company’s.
It has been disappointing to be forced to forego Dozer Days and our annual golf tournament because these wonderful events mean so much to our Association in terms of giving back to our communities and to the industry that we love. However, we know that these tough choices have been the right choices to make. In many respects our lives have been simplified due to safety restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19. While at times frustrating, I have also realized a greater sense of connection with family, friends, and loved ones. Perhaps one of the good things that will come from this challenge will be a renewed sense of connection and belonging that can, at times, be overshadowed by the many extracurricular commitments that we take on in our lives.
Moving forward I am confident that NUCA will continue to provide meaningful benefits to its members. How these benefits are delivered and/or realized will more than likely take on a different delivery approach. I am appreciative of the efforts that our Executive Director, Jon Cornelius, and our Program Manager, Liz Truong, are making on behalf of our Association. Our Board of Directors is shifting gears to embrace virtual meetings and training opportunities. We are working closely with AMI to enhance our company website. There is much good work still being performed even in the face of this challenging time that we are currently encountering. I am confident that this will continue & I thank all those who are playing an active part in these efforts!
Organization Updates
NEW Website, Virtual Member Happy Hours & Education
Although we can’t meet in-person, our industry must still move on. As an organization, NUCA finds it imperative now more than ever to provide training, education, and resources to our members. To achieve this, the board has decided now is the time to expand our website and begin offering NUCA Online including a series of virtually “live” member meetings to deliver the same benefits in a more convenient and no-contact way.
Virtual Member Happy Hours
We held our first virtual member happy hour in May with a Legislative Night featuring Washington State House of Representatives Republican Leader, JT Wilcox. Legislative Committee Chair, Brett Hill, kicked off the evening giving a recap on what has been going on in the committee and the progress they’ve made. They’ve been laser focused on changes to the industry due to COVID-19 and circling the wagons to make sure all our members were on top of the changes. Lobbyist Dave Ducharme gave a quick update on bills from the last legislative session in Olympia. And finally, JT Wilcox along with several other legislators (Joe Schmick, Luanne VanWerven, Andrew Barkis, and Jacquelin Maycumber to name a few) to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on the upcoming budget, transportation, and the construction industry specifically. Around 50 members joined in on the virtual happy hour and provided great insight and questions to address our industry today.
Our next virtual member happy hour is coming up in July, featuring a specific software / technology training on PlanGrid software that has helped many of our contractor members with projects, along with an Engineering Night focused on upcoming projects and the impacts on the local economy.
New Website
The new website is up and running including a new membership directory and events calendar. Please take a peek around and see what’s different!
New Online Sponsorship Opportunities
We have expanded our digital footprint creating a lot of new sponsorship opportunities for our members. The following are some new sponsorships available:
- Website Sponsorship
- Put your company logo on the footer of our website including on our home page to show your support of NUCA loud and proud!
- Member Meetings Sponsorship
- Sponsor a monthly member meeting! Includes company logo and sponsorship in all member blasts, on our website, and at-event whether held in-person or virtually.
- Membership Directory Premium Listing + Multiple Categories
- Our membership directory is listed by category and alphabetically. Each member is entitled to be listed under one category. Upgrade to a premium listing to be listed at the top of your category, and/or pay for additional category listings.
- Member of the Month Feature
- Be featured in our ‘member of the months’ blast to our entire mailing list. Our mailing list includes all members and others interested in NUCA news.
2020-2021 Board Member Nominations Open!
Nominations for our 2020 – 2021 Board Members is now open! There are currently 3 Associate Member and 2 Contractor Member positions open. Board members serve a 2-year term. Nominations will remain open until July 31st, and elections will take place August 15th with voting closing on August 31st. Nominations are required to fill out an application and get approval from the board to be put on the ballot. Submit nominations by clicking below.
Safety Spotlight
Dig Safe Training Online
Our signature training class is now going online! We have seen the need to offer this important class far and wide. We plan on launching the new Dig Safe Training portal right here on our new website in mid-July. All NUCA members receive a discount on Dig Safe training. Please check back with us when we go live!
Interested in Heavy Bid or CESCL Training Online?
We are in the process of providing several discounted online or hybrid training (online + limited field training) through NUCA. Currently we are gauging interest for Heavy Bid 101 and CESCL. Please fill out the survey to let us know if you are interested.
Membership Spotlight
Membership Update
Jon Cornelius, Executive Director
Even with all the demands and challenges of the past few months, membership at NUCA of WA is on the rise. We have added a few new members recently and expect to add more over the next couple of weeks and months. The old adage of “there is strength in numbers” very much applies to associations like NUCA of WA. That strength helps when we negotiate discounts on your behalf. It helps when we lobby in Washington DC and are able to tell legislators how many employees and working families of the northwest we represent. It helps in Olympia when Dave Ducharme lobbies on our behalf with state legislatures regarding bills that affect our ability to do work. It helps when NUCA members do business with other NUCA members and the list of options keep growing. It helps when a prospective member looks at our membership list and decides quickly that they want to be part of our group.
We are constantly on the lookout for prospective members who might add value to the organization and enjoy the benefits of being a NUCA of WA member. With that said, who do YOU know that should be a NUCA member? Who did you lose that last bid to? Are they a NUCA member? If not, why not? What vendors do you work with that should be members? Vendors, what contractors do you work with that should be members? We are just starting to reach out to businesses like banks, cell phone carriers and other small businesses we do business with but but don’t think about as prospective members. Now we do!
One final note. Based on recent board action, NUCA of WA is now offering a full 50% discount on dues effective June 1. It’s a great way for someone to check us out and find out NUCA adds great value to their business. Let me know who I should contact and I’ll take care of the rest. Contact me via phone at 425 221 1011 or email at Jonc@nucawa.org
Stay safe!
Jon
National Ditch Digger of the Year: Mark Fuglevand, KBA Inc
At the NUCA National Convention in February this year, our very own Mark Fuglevand was awarded with one of the highest National Honors: Ditch Digger of the Year. Mark has served our Washington Chapter for many years being an integral part in everything that we do from legislation, to member collegiality and everything in-between. He served as NUCA National President from 2018-2019 and it is to no surprise from anyone that he received this great honor.
From NUCA National Immediate Past Chairman, Dan Buckley: “Each leader brings his own style of command and presence to an organization. Some are loud and boisterous, others quiet and reserved. While moving up the ladder in NUCA from board member to Secretary, on up, I noticed what worked best for each and every Chairman. For Mark, I took away a few traits that I wanted to exemplify and try and mold into my own personality. You see, Mark is a calm leader, a listener, a steady hand at the controls, a level headed Chairman that was able to weigh the best and worst of a situation to form a conclusion. That type of mastery is what I feel Mark Fuglevand emits as a leader, and the characteristics that I tried to emulate following Mark as Chairman.”
From Executive Director, Jon Cornelius: “It came as no surprise to me that Mark Fuglevand was awarded the NUCA national award for Ditch Digger of the Year at the 2020 convention. He is a tireless worker who consistently goes above and beyond for our association. His impact on the national level was significant. I spent some time with Mark when I was first hired by NUCA of WA and found him to be insightful and helpful. I learned quickly that he was one of those guys who works behind the scenes and gets things done. He’s truly an asset for NUCA of WA and our industry.”
Congratulations to Mark on this great honor! We are proud of his personal and professional contributions to our industry and are grateful he is a part of our chapter.
Please Welcome Our Newest Members
Versatile Drilling
John Marth
PO Box 80287
Seattle, WA 98108
206-763-9776
Upcoming Events
2020 Auction is a Go!
Please continue to save the date for our 2020 Auction on Saturday, October 10th. We are still planning to hold this as an in-person event at this time at Seattle Waterfront Marriott where we hosted last year. Until it is determined we cannot hold it in-person, we will move forward as planned. In the event the auction cannot be held in person, we plan on pivoting to a virtual event.
If you’d like to participate on the auction committee, sponsor (whether new or repeat) and/or have donations for our event please reach out to NUCA Program Director, Liz Truong at liz@aminc.org.
!
The DIG: Dozer Day Status Update
By now all sponsors should have received their refunds for 2020 or pushed forward their sponsorship from this year to 2021. Although we had to cancel this year’s event, there is still plenty happening in planning for our 2021 event.
New Dozer Day Trailer
We purchased our new Dozer Day trailer to house all our merchandise and regular equipment for the event that is also mobile so we can use it for marketing purposes. You’ll see it being towed through parades when they come back to life, and event possibly sitting out on job sites or yards where people can see member logos and the 2021 Dozer Day date for all to save. If you’d like to sponsor the Dozer Day trailer, please contact Liz Truong at liz@aminc.org.
Trades & Workforce Development Promotion Area
We are working on developing booths specifically to promote the trades and focus on workforce development. This will include information and activities from our nonprofit partner, ANEW, that provides pre-apprenticeship training programs with an empasis on improving the access and advancement of women in the trades. If you work with any of the trades unions and want to get involved, please contact Liz Truong at liz@aminc.org to discuss.
Pre-Event Trades Career Fair for Young Professionals
In addition to adding workforce development for adults, we are developing a “trades career fair” to coincide with the Friday setup time before Dozer Day. This would give access to our high school aged kids looking for alternative career paths after graduation. We are currently looking to schedule this Friday evening after setup is complete. If you would like to volunteer to help create this new program, please contact Liz Truong at liz@aminc.org.
Resources From NUCA National & Around the Industry
NUCA National is your one-stop shop for everything related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
All NUCA Chapters are supplying the NUCA National website with information as it pertains to both national and state information. This cooperative effort allows NUCA members to access one site for everything dealing with construction industry issues and business needs.
Please visit this site often to stay abreast of ever-changing actions.
Access to the NUCA Pandemic Resource page is also accessible from the nucapa.org website home page banner along with our PA COVID-19 services link at the top of our site.
The UTC has a new Damage Prevention Information Bulletin full of damage prevention resources and articles. We highly suggest subscribing by emailing here.