May 2017 Newsletter
Message From Your President
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I can’t believe it’s May already, the year is hurrying by. Welcome to Spring! I think Spring is a time of possibilities and opportunity. We see the world around us come alive and get busy and we can’t help but want to do the same. Spring is motivating and inspiring. As we start planning for the latter half of the NAWICkian Year, and even into the events of next year, I just wanted to let everyone know where we are as a chapter – hopefully you will find it equally stimulating. Robin Williams said that “Spring is nature’s way of saying Let’s Party!” I want to encourage all of you to come party with us!
Current membership count is at 52. We welcomed 3 new members in March and 1 in April. Shout outs to Natasha Carroll, Jennifer Decker, Peggy Paul, and Wendy Walker – Welcome to NAWIC! We received news that our undergraduate scholarship was awarded to a student at Oregon State University – Go Beavs!
Last weekend was our community service project with ReBuilding Together and Turner Construction organized by Jo Doherty and Aryn Ferguson. Thank you so much to the members who generously gave up their Saturday for National Build Day and helped Juanita and her cat Lucy! The chapter has also participated in several Industry events; AGC Industry Luncheon and the Kelly Blue Book Event – another huge thanks to Charris Sonne-Phinney and everyone who helped at these events.
We have an exciting assortment of meeting topics and events coming up: May 1 th – Legal Panel with our own Elizabeth Rhode, Angie Otto and Stephanie Holmberg talking about contracting pitfalls. Ramona Zabriskie will be speaking on June 15th about ‘Your Power to Succeed with Men’. In July, we will be touring a project with Turner Construction and August is our annual Street of Dreams event with Portland Women’s Bureau. On top of that, we’ll have a handful of social events to encourage our members to get to know each other even better.
Additionally, if you are interested in getting more involved with NAWIC, I highly encourage you to attend a membership meeting or get involved in a committee. We are looking for fresh perspectives and new voices. We have a great group of dedicated women but we could definitely use YOUR help. If you think the chapter is on the right path, or if you think it’s missing something or could improve, then please support the chapter by getting involved.
Don’t know how to get involved? Visit the chapter website at www.nawicportland54.org or contact me at kelly.aust@skanska.com
Lastly, the chapter nominating committee did an outstanding job of completing a slate. The chair of the committee, Angie Sullivan, announced their report at the April Chapter Meeting. Elections should be coming out soon for the 2017-18 Board. Please make sure that regardless of the length of time or your current involvement, that you support the chapter by voting.
As spring breathes new life into the world around us, come breathe new life into your NAWIC membership and our chapter. Let’s Party!
Kelly Aust – President, Portland Chapter 54
Skanska Construction