September/October 2011 Newsletter
PHCC of the Redwood Empire Bi-Monthly Newsletter with news of upcoming meetings, seminars, events and opportunities for members and future members to improve their businesses.
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Whats New:
PHCC of the Redwood Empire Golf Tournament - June 29th at Rooster Run Golf Course in Petaluma.
Updated: April 20, 2012
Current News:
Welcome to our new REPHCC member Dry Down
Dry Down specializes in water damage and mold remediation services. They serve California from San Deigo to the Bay Area with representatives in the Redwood Empire.
Updated: April 20, 2012
Recent Events:
PHCC of the Redwood Empire Plumbing Code Course finished on March 13th. The customer service & sales class will most likely will be the next class offered.
Updated: April 20, 2012
Upcoming Meetings
REPHCC - Next Monthly Meeting
November 16th 5:00 pm – Board Mtg, 6:00 pm – General Membership Meeting, Location: MISTER MC GOO’s - 1375 Petaluma Blvd. North in Petaluma
Topic: BUILDING PEFORMANCE INSTITUTE (BPI) CERTIFICATION and 2012 REPHCC Board of Directors Elections RSVP by Friday, November 11th - click here.
Upcoming Classes
Boiler & Hydronics - Fundamentals & Review Course 10 -Week Class: Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
October 4, 2011 through December 13, 2011. For details click here.
Continuing Education – IAPMO Seminars: 2011 CA Plumbing & Mechanical Code Changes in Sacramento For more information about the seminars click here
Upcoming Events
PHCC West 2012 - Convention & Trade Show - May 9-12, 2012 in San Diego, Ca. - for more details click here.
2011 PHCC National Association Calendar of Major Events Here's the list.
President's Message
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From Paul Ongaro
REPHCC Membership Meetings Have High Value
September’s Membership meeting is a good example of the value these meetings hold for REPHCC members. The REPHCC would like to extend a thank you to Daniel J. Galvin III of Shapiro, Galvin, Shapiro & Moran for making a presentation on Mechanics Lien Law Updates. Galvin discussed 2011 changes to the lien laws, current lien law issues and provided information regarding changes to the lien laws that will be taking effect in July of 2011. |
“We’re fortunate to have speakers come in and share information that is critical to our businesses”, says Paul Ongaro, President of REPHCC. “Lien laws change every year and we need to keep current on these changes.” Galvin also engaged in a question and answer session with REPHCC members at the conclusion of his presentation. |
REPHCC provides a speaker each month to inform members on subjects like code changes, new products, best business practices, marketing and many other business related subjects . Members can suggest subjects of interest and some members are instrumental in procuring speakers for the monthly meetings – this makes the subject matter timely and informative for the majority of members who attend the meetings. “PHCC is known as an educational trade organization and the monthly meetings are just an extension of that”, says Ongaro. “Aside from meeting with your peers in a relaxed and comfortable setting and enjoying a good meal and conversation with fellow members – we also get to listen to and interact with informative speakers on subjects that help our businesses.” |
REPHCC Training & Classes
PHCC Training: The Key to Your Future Success
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Gene Burch, an instructor for PHCC plumbing classes, has this to say about continuing education for plumbing contractors and their employees, “If you don’t continually educate yourself – you die.” Amen. “In the old days of the 50’s and the 60’s plumbers went to school to become plumber and that was it." | |
Gene Burch |
"Now it’s a whole new ball game and continuing education is the key to succeeding in this business.”
Burch conducts classes for the REPHCC at night school in Petaluma at Casa Grande High throughout the year. He just wrapped up a green plumbing class that produced 25 certified green plumbers. There's no time for a breather because he’s now launching a hydronics/boiler class that includes basic electrical training on October 4th. Burch, along with Paul Ongaro, will teach the next session of code update classes this winter. “This is a must take class for older plumbers and new plumbers – everyone who is out in the field”, says Ongaro.
“A lot of people in this business forget about sales”, says Burch, who doesn’t. He facilitates a sales class for plumbing contractors and employees on the finer points of selling to your customers in a way that serves them best. The previous sales class was last March. The next sales class will be held in 2012.
“We owe it to our customers and our industry to be highly educated in our field, so we can help our customers in the best possible way and promote ourselves as professionals who people trust.”, says Burch. “I’m proud of what I do and I enjoy educating my peers – we all win when we seek education.”
Students Explore the World of Construction
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The REPHCC will be participating in the 2011 Careers in Construction EXPO at the Veterans Building located at 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa on Thursday, October 6th from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. | ||
This is an opportunity for high school students to interact with representatives from the construction industry at their various booths and demonstration areas and explore the possibilities of a career in the building sector. Representatives from the building trades, including plumbing and electrical and general contractors along with professional construction firms, such as architectural and engineering attend this event annually. Groups from over 10 local high schools will visit the event.
The REPHCC will be represented by Director Wendy Cramer, Board Member and plumbing contractor Gene Burch. Board Member Bob Haye of Slakey Brothers, a heating, cooling and plumbing supply company, has coordinated a hands-on demonstration for students. Dolores McDonald from the PHCC-GSA Apprenticeship Program will also be in attendance. The high school students will be given a unique opportunity to make a good first impression on industry professionals in a mock interview setting.
If you have never attended this event, you should. This is an uplifting experience for both students and building professionals, who get the opportunity to engage in a meeting of the minds in regards to future careers in construction.
Fight the Underground Economy with PHCC's Help
Are you a licensed plumbing-heating-cooling contractor
who has lost work to:
♦ Unlicensed Operators?
♦ Contractors who operate outside of their license classification?
♦ Competitors who do not pay workers’ compensation insurance, disability insurance, unemployment insurance, or federal and state employment taxes?
If so, the PHCC of California supports you in your fight against the underground economy. To find out more click here.
